The T.V. show Hogan's Heroes belongs to Bing Crosby Productions. No ownership of the Hogan's Heroes characters is implied or inferred, and no infringement is intended.
Chapter Seven
Reflections
Two days later at the Dulag"… only name rank and serial number. I did notice a hesitation when I told him the date. He was truly disoriented to time. I tried various tactics to get him to make a slip and give us some information, but he wouldn't answer. The American wouldn't even acknowledge his bomber group. In fact, he's already told me I'm going to be doing most of the talking. And when I asked him how he liked it here, he gave a flippant answer about our towels not being very nice." Major Boehringer tapped his pencil on his desk as he reviewed his notes.
Biedenbender sat in his swivel chair at his desk evaluating the information being shared with him and commented, "It sounds like the respite he got in the hospital over the past week has given him enough strength to offer us some resistance. But it shouldn't take much to wear him down. You will continue interrogating him twice a day?" Biedenbender asked and then covered the phone receiver as he answered the knock on his door. "Come." His secretary opened the door and quietly ushered Rolf in before again leaving.
"Jawohl, Herr General." Boehringer stopped tapping his pencil and closed his eyes, dreading what he had to say next. "Oh, I'm afraid I wasn't told about keeping your name out of our conversation until later after my initial session with Colonel Hogan, and in an effort to get under his skin and shake him up, I mentioned your referral to him as 'the scourge of the skies' and that he was targeted specifically. But…" Boehringer opened his eyes and, pausing to choose his words, carefully continued, "…with your heroic exploits as the Oberst who ended Colonel Hogan's career still fresh on everyone's tongue I did slip and referred to you as Colonel instead of General."
Rolf, sitting across the desk from Biedenbender, watched as his friend rolled his eyes and ran his fingers through his hair. He recognized the move. Oh, oh, somebody just said something unbelievably stupid. Rolf smiled as he listened to the one sided conversation.
"I see. Well, since he had no knowledge of me before you mentioned my name it will hardly matter if you referred to me as Oberst or General," Biedenbender commented incredulously.
Rolf let a low laugh escape but changed it into a throat clearing as Heinrich scowled in his direction.
"No sir, but I think your perception of his condition is very insightful. He is not as strong as he would like to appear and I don't think he is as focused as he would like to be. I'm not sure that your name registered in his mind." It was suddenly quiet on the other end of the phone and Boehringer froze waiting for a reaction.
Biedenbender, having had a command of his own, was well practiced in the art of pausing to make a point He allowed just enough time to pass to catch the listener's full attention. "All right, Major, we will assume this to be the case. But do not use my name again. You will find another way to loosen his tongue. Tell Major Junge I will call for an update in a few days. Heil Hitler!" Biedenbender looked at Rolf as he hung up the phone.
"So the American is not talking?" Rolf asked.
Biedenbender rested his chin on his right fist and looked at Rolf. "It would seem Colonel Hogan has a stubborn streak in him."
Rolf scowled and shook his head. "Some men just don't know when they're beaten. Don't worry, Heinrich, he'll soon learn." Quickly changing the subject, Rolf started talking about more pressing matters. "Here is a list of the changes you said you wanted to present to the High Command. And this is the list of inductees for the Luftwaffe's next class of pilots."
Biedenbender's days were filled with exploring his new responsibilities. Now charged with directing the selection and training of Luftwaffe pilots, Biedenbender found he had to plan his time carefully. He was well suited to his task and with Rolf still at his side as his assistant, they were finally able to make the changes they had always said needed to be done. Their new positions allowed them to stay actively involved with the war and allowed them to keep up with any improvements the Luftwaffe made. They were also able to learn about information obtained by their spies concerning the advances the Allies were making in order to help them to strategize their training programs. Therefore, continued interest in the American Colonel's progress was viewed as understandable.
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Ten days later
"…ten days in a cramped solitary cell on simple rations, while still being interrogated twice daily, and he still only chants his name, rank and serial number. His physical condition is deteriorating. He is limping noticeably, and his bandages are dirty and show signs of fresh bleeding. I thought maybe in his weakened condition I could increase his understanding of his predicament by showing him how precarious his existence is. I had the guard strike him, knocking him to the floor. In his weakened condition, I expected him to lie there."
"He didn't?"
"Nein, Herr General. He struggled back up to his feet. He stood there swaying, but defiant. He obviously is stronger than he looks, so I placed him on starvation rations." Boehringer laughed. "He remains outspoken, too. He said that it wouldn't be much of a change. I said 'Good then you won't even notice.' I don't think he liked my response. He challenged me with bold eye contact and did not break his gaze until the Obergefreiter pulled him away and took him back to his solitary cell."
"You don't seem to be getting very far with our Colonel Hogan, Major."
"Hunger is a great persuader, Herr General. A few days without food and he'll be willing to tell us everything for a dry crust of bread," Boehringer answered.
Biedenbender sat thinking, following his conversation with Major Boehringer. Defiant, outspoken, and challenging! You surprise me Colonel. This doesn't fall into the picture I had of you. Is it possible you are more than a good pilot racking up points for medals at the cost of innocent people's lives, more than a player of a game that never touches you personally? Maybe you're not as shallow as I thought? Maybe you're just ignorant with misplaced loyalties. Biedenbender frowned. Changing his opinion was not something he often did. He considered himself to be an excellent judge of character. General Burkhalter is calling the Durchgangslager for updates, too. He told me he is trying to decide what to do with you after they've finished the interrogation at the Durchgangslager. Colditz was suggested by some of the other officers of the High Command, however Burkhalter is not convinced you need a maximum-security prison. But your refusal to talk may save the General the problem of deciding where to lock you up. The Fuhrer is growing impatient and if he views you as a troublemaker, you'll go to Colditz…period. Give up, Colonel Hogan. You can't win. In the end German supremacy will triumph and you will tell us what we want to know.
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A week and a half later at the Durchgangslager der Luftwaffe"No, sir, not even after ten days on a starvation diet. I must say, Herr General, if the old adage 'You can judge a man by his enemies' is correct, your enemy is a great reflection on your character, sir," Boehringer commented.
"Mmm." Biedenbender was lost in thought. I didn't expect you to last this long, Colonel Hogan. I'd be tempted to say that Major Boehringer doesn't know what he's doing, but his record speaks for itself...what…what did he just say? Biedenbender brought his attention back to his phone conversation. "I'm sorry, Major, what was that about the Gestapo?"
"I said, Major Junge and I met this morning and decided Colonel Hogan might benefit from a day with the Geheim Staats Polizie. We have used them a few times when we wanted information quickly. In this case it might be what's required to shake up the prisoner. Deprivation alone is weakening his body, but some concentrated physical stress may be what we need to break his will."
Biedenbender weighed Boehringer's information. "The Gestapo has some rather stringent rules about prisoners they interrogate. They either break at the hands of the Gestapo or they die at the hands of the Gestapo. Not that that matters to me, but I don't want to lose the information this man has to offer simply because the Gestapo doesn't want to be made a fool of."
"I agree, Herr General, but in this case they would not be interrogating. They will ask no questions and expect no answers. They simply practice technique and we resume the interrogation when they are done. It is a symbiotic relationship that has worked well in the past. The Gestapo becomes more proficient at their skills, and we get a more cooperative prisoner. In fact, we have never had a prisoner require a second visit from the Gestapo."
Biedenbender smiled, "I'll bet you haven't. Although, I imagine there have been a few prisoners who have decided to cooperate at the sight of the Gestapo, in order to avoid the promised encounter altogether."
Boehringer laughed, "There have been a few who would have liked that, but I'm afraid once the Gestapo has arrived, the prisoner has relinquished his option to choose. His only choice at that point is to not go through it again."
"Well, Major, I must say I never expected Colonel Hogan to be this obstinate. Hopefully, the next time I call, you will be able to tell me he succumbed to your methods and relinquished the information he has been guarding. I will call you in a few days. Heil Hitler!" Biedenbender hung up the phone without waiting to hear a response. He was frustrated.
Why do you persist in this, Colonel Hogan? The Fuhrer is still watching. If you're not careful, you won't have to worry about Colditz; he'll have you shot. Biedenbender pushed himself back from his desk and paced to the window. His contempt for the American pilot was being tempered with respect. The man was face to face with his enemy, with no recourse, subjected to neglect, threatened and beaten and still he would not talk to save himself. Biedenbender was beginning to realize they had more in common than their flying abilities. They were both dedicated to their cause.
After talking with your interrogators, I know you even better, Colonel. You have one redeeming quality: a sense of duty. That is something I can understand. Maybe you're not as shallow as I originally thought. Biedenbender leaned against the windowsill as his views of the American began to change. He shook his head and turned to take a step away from the window and away from the thought that maybe they were more alike than he wanted to admit.
Biedenbender walked past his desk, grabbed his bag off of the chair by the door and glanced at his watch. I've got just enough time to get to the airfield and meet Rolf. I'm sure this will lose its appeal in time, but right now, I'm looking forward to pinning the wings on our newest group of pilots. It seems like it has been a lifetime ago, since my own graduation. Biedenbender paused, staring blindly across the room. I must admit to feeling a great deal of satisfaction, when I look back at all of my accomplishments. But my greatest satisfaction is in knowing that the man who almost cost me my career has, by his defeat, catapulted me up the ladder of success. Biedenbender threw his shoulders back, inhaled deeply, and savored the sweet feeling of victory. As his eyes again focused on his surroundings, he gazed proudly at the Colt 1911 pistol, displayed in the trophy case hanging on his office wall. It was an intimate symbol of triumph over his enemy. With a snide grin on his face, Biedenbender clicked his heels, touched the brim of his cap, and nodded, Touché, Colonel Hogan!
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