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Chapter Eight

Paradox

The cigarette crunched under his finger as he ground out what remained of the burning tobacco. Blowing out a stream of smoke, he continued, "Major Boehringer was furious with Colonel Hogan after the daylight bombing of the railway yard at Rouen. He feels Hogan's silence was a personal affront to make him look bad, while at the same time being a blatant attack on Germany. Since that time, Colonel Hogan has spent the last eleven days in a small climate-controlled cell, without being removed, even for interrogation, as punishment for withholding information." Biedenbender paced from behind his desk to stand in front of Rolf.

"I've heard of those heated cells," Rolf frowned. "But I thought they were only used by the Gestapo."

Biedenbender shook his head negatively. "The Luftwaffe has them at the Durchgangslager, too. The cell is heated to its maximum one hundred and thirty degrees during the day and pumped with cold air at night dropping the temperature below freezing." Biedenbender turned and paced to the window before turning back to face Rolf.

"I know it's harsh, Heinrich, but it sounds to me like he earned it. You know yourself he withheld that information." Rolf studied his friend trying to see where he was going with his statements. They both agreed that punishment, and a certain amount of torment were sometimes necessary to get results, and this American seemed to be proving that theory.

"Perhaps," was all Biedenbender said as he glanced down at the floor. Rolf is right. If Hogan withheld that information, he deserves to be punished. However punishment, as an interrogation method, only works if you stop before it kills them. Boehringer has to know that…what am I thinking, of course he knows that. He's an expert at his job. Don't worry Heinrich, they're not going to kill your prime catch. You'll still be able to find a way to use him to your advantage.

Biedenbender jerked his head up and looked again at Rolf. "But this attack at Rouen happened during Hogan's day with the Gestapo-- a day I'm sure our American pilot won't be able to forget," Heinrich assured Rolf before continuing. "Boehringer had no way of knowing if Colonel Hogan would have talked about the attack on the railway yard, following his enlightenment by the Gestapo. Boehringer didn't talk to Hogan when the Gestapo were done. He didn't think Hogan would be capable of responding without being allowed to rest first. So instead, he had Hogan placed back in his cell. The next morning when Boehringer learned of the previous days attack on the railway yard he confronted Hogan and accused him of withholding information," Biedenbender huffed. "Even if Boehringer had given Hogan a chance to talk it would have been too late. The bombing occurred while the Gestapo was working the American over."

Rolf nodded his head and turned taking a step to increase the distance between himself and Heinrich, before turning back. "Well, he had the opportunity to tell the Gestapo about Rouen, and evidently he didn't!" Rolf countered.

Biedenbender shook his head negatively. "No, Rolf. Hogan was given over to the Gestapo for physical punishment only. The Gestapo didn't even know what questions the interrogators were trying to get answers to."

"Okay, Heinrich, I give up! What are you trying to say?"

"I'm trying to understand…" What? What is it that gnaws at me? Hogan is being treated no differently than we would be treated, if the shoe were on the other foot…maybe that's it. Biedenbender shrugged and turned his back on Rolf. Because the very thing I want him to do…I respect him for not doing.

"Heinrich…" Rolf began as he took a step toward his friends back. "I'd like to help. You're obviously bothered about something, but I don't know exactly what you're getting at."

There was a moment of silence before Biedenbender answered. "I don't understand why Colonel Hogan doesn't give us his information. He's held out long enough; he would be exonerated if he talked now." Biedenbender silently admitted to himself, I didn't expect this from an obviously inferior race. Again finding his voice, Biedenbender continued, "It would be viewed as a breakdown, temporary insanity, and understandable for his kind with their inherent deficiencies, under these conditions. Nobody would fault him. So why doesn't he give up?" Biedenbender fell silent once agani, while he answered his own question. That's not entirely true either, even though his blood line is inferior, he would fault himself, not his genetic heritage. I know this man…like I know myself. Wise up, Colonel Hogan, you can't fight who…or what you are.

"There's more, Heinrich. What are you not telling me?"

Biedenbender nodded, "Yes, there's more. Major Junge called me early this morning. They are letting Hogan out of his cell today and Major Boehringer is going to try for the last time to get Hogan to talk. If he doesn't answer the Major, the Gestapo will be invited back for their second visit, one in which they will be the interrogators."

Rolf nodded, in agreement with that bit of news, and laid his hand on Heinrich's shoulder. "Good, maybe we will finally see some results!" Rolf wanted this business with Colonel Hogan finished. For some reason Heinrich was bothered by it and Rolf didn't like it. "I hate to say it, Heinrich, but the Luftwaffe interrogation methods have not succeeded with this American Colonel. He is going to require careful and experienced handling. The kind the Gestapo is trained to deliver."

Biedenbender looked at his friend wanting to tell Rolf what he was feeling but, still coming to terms with it himself, remained silent. The respect I almost feel for Hogan would not be understood by Rolf. And maybe he would be right. Maybe it is pity I should feel. Pity for someone who has no hope of succeeding against the Master Race, and who by his own inferior genetic inheritance, is too stupid to realize it.

"Enough of this American! We have taken him out of the sky and he is no longer worth our time." Rolf said waving his hand dismissively. "We have more important things to discuss." Rolf opened his notebook and checked their appointments. "You have a meeting with the Directors of Training and Intelligence at two o'clock this afternoon and a dinner party tonight given by General Burkhalter celebrating his niece's birthday. I suggest if you haven't yet bought a gift, you concentrate on that, and leave this has been American to the Gestapo."

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Four Days Later:

Biedenbender looked up from the paperweight he had been staring at and replaced the image with memories of the men he had seen suffer through Gestapo interrogations. He blinked the image out of his mind and looked at Rolf.

"Don't look at me like that, Heinrich! I know what they are capable of, but this is war! We can't be nice guys and expect to win. This is not like the war our fathers fought, where they took their captured enemy pilots to dinner and traded stories before turning them in!" Rolf didn't particularly care for the Gestapo's methods, but as far as he was concerned, this was a time when they were definitely needed.

"I'm not arguing that. I agree that Colonel Hogan needs a firm hand, but it makes no sense to beat a man to death before you obtain what you want from him. And we both know the Gestapo will do it. That is not going to accomplish anything for the Third Reich."

"Why not? If he is not helping our cause he is hindering it. Honestly, Heinrich, as much trouble as he's been to the Luftwaffe, the Gestapo and to you, I wish I had just put a bullet in his head and saved us all a lot of trouble," Rolf confessed.

Biedenbender looked with earnest at Rolf. His friend's words had hit him hard. Biedenbender knew that it was only by the grace of God that the two of them were still standing on German soil…or even alive. And Biedenbender had no doubt, if the situations were reversed, he would be just as stoic as Colonel Hogan. I wonder, he thought, had we been shot down over enemy territory would somebody have put a bullet in our heads to save themselves the trouble of interrogating us? He shook the thought from his head. It didn't matter, that Colonel Hogan was doing his duty, he was still the enemy and as such, he deserved what was being handed out to him. Biedenbender's thoughts turned back to the subject at hand. "But that's just it; he can be of service to us. We can use the American Colonel for another purpose, one that will benefit Germany."

"What do you mean?" Rolf questioned.

"I've been doing some investigating." Biedenbender began. "The Fuhrer is very much in favor of, and is supporting, programs for scientific research. These programs are vast. Dr. Hubertus Strughold, the doctor in charge of 'aviation medicine' is studying methods to improve flying conditions for our Luftwaffe, and they are looking for specimens to test and study. I discussed this with Reichminister Goering. I suggested the Luftwaffe might still be able to get some valuable information out of the American Colonel, in a manner that did not require his cooperation. The fact that being used as a guinea pig would be a humiliating and humbling experience for the proud and arrogant Colonel Hogan was met with some satisfaction also."

"You went to Goering with your idea?" Rolf's eyes opened wider.

"Now who's giving the look?" Beidenbender commented, and then with satisfaction, continued. "Goering approved. Of course I don't know if it was necessarily because he agreed with my idea of Hogan's worth as a test subject or if it was just that Goering didn't want the Gestapo getting their hands on Luftwaffe property, but he has taken the proposal to the Fuhrer."

Rolf was puzzled that Heinrich was still allowing himself to be involved with this American Colonel. "Heinrich, you've become obsessed with this man. Before you shot him down you didn't care whether the American lived or died and now you're risking everything hoping that the Fuhrer will agree with your idea to get him away from the Gestapo. You know, the Fuhrer could just as easily have you shot, if he thinks you're being sympathetic to the enemy!" Rolf paced nervously.

"I…" Riinngg, riinngg. Biedenbender stopped mid-sentence and reached for the phone. "This is Gen…Jawohl, Reichminister!" Biedenbender's face took on a look of concentration as he listened. "Thank-you sir, I'm glad my suggestions were well received."

Rolf stiffened and tried to read Heinrich's body language, hoping to get an idea of whether it was good or bad news coming from the other end of the phone.

"Brainwashing?" Biedenbender muttered. "…from birth?"

Rolf stepped closer to see if he could hear Goering's voice through the phone, but it was to no avail.

"Yes, Herr Reichminister. So these experiments are to see if they can do the same thing with an adult?" Biedenbender asked and grew silent again as he listened. "That is very interesting." More silence as a look of amazement passed over Biedenbender's face. "Yes, sir, I will make that call immediately! Heil Hitler!"

"What? Don't just look at me dumbfounded like that! What did he say?" Rolf stepped closer, eagerly waiting for an answer.

Biedenbender cleared his throat. "The Fuhrer was very receptive to the suggestion. In fact he picked up the phone while Reichminister Goering was with him and talked to the scientist in charge of a program they have been working on for years."

"A program they've been working on for years?" Rolf asked in amazement.

Biedenbender rubbed his chin and nodded. "Yes, in fact they had just finished picking their alpha test subjects on whom they will trial techniques learned from a group of beta subjects. Colonel Hogan is being added to the alpha group. They will use him to study the use of mescaline and how it affects the brain. The plan is to find a way to brainwash adults." Biedenbender chuckled as he added, "Wouldn't that be ironic." Shaking his amusement off he sobered, "Anyway, Colonel Hogan is fortunate enough to get in on the ground floor of this study, as well as participating in a few other tests that will benefit our fliers." Biedenbender smiled again.

"What is it Heinrich?" Rolf asked.

"I'm just thinking how paradoxical it is that Colonel Hogan by his determination to give us nothing has seen to it that we take everything he has …or is, and has once again contributed to making me look good in the eyes of the Fuhrer." Biedenbender reached for the phone.

"Who are you calling?" Roth asked.

"Reichminister Goering told me to call the Durchgangslager and tell them that Hogan is being transferred to Hohemark. Goering is calling to personally notify Himmler of the Fuhrer's decision."

"Himmler? How did he get involved in this?" Rolf was mesmerized by the complexity this one man seemed to be stirring up.

"It had been decided that enough time had been wasted on the American and they wanted to end it before the Red Cross made their next rounds. Permission had already been given to flog the American Colonel tomorrow morning. " Biedenbender redirected his attention into the phone and frowned as the phone was answered harshly by Major Boehringer.

"Boehringer," the Major snapped. He had just been told to have doctor Weinzaphel at the Dulag in the morning for Hogan's flogging, an order that meant a lashing of at least thirty strokes. Boehringer knew the American could not survive a flogging of that length in his current condition. Thirty lashes were often beyond the limitations of healthy men. He had grown to respect the obstinate American and this latest turn of events left an unpleasant taste in his mouth, and he let his displeasure show in the tone of his voice.

"This is General Biedenbender." Biedenbender paused waiting for an appropriate reply.

Boehringer toned down his anger. "Jawohl, Herr General."

I have an order from the Fuhrer regarding your prisoner, Colonel Hogan. You will stop the Gestapo interrogation of the prisoner immediately!"

"Ja… Ja. Naturlich, Herr General." Boehringer felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The Allied Colonel's dedication to duty was admirable. He had seen all kinds of men during his job as interrogator of enemy flyers, but no man had shown more resistance nor had been exposed for such an extended period of time to such harsh treatment and resisted as this American Colonel.

"He is to be prepared for transfer to Hohemark for experimental testing. Can you have him ready in the morning?"

"… Ja…" Boehringer was interrupted before he could say more.

Biedenbender wanted to cut this phone call short and allow Boehringer to carry out his orders quickly. He could only imagine what four days with the Gestapo could have done to a man already suffering from multiple injuries.

"Call the Gestapo interrogators to your office and tell them they no longer have jurisdiction over the prisoner."

"…sofort…" Boehringer nodded.

"You do not have to make any explanations or justifications for your actions. Simply tell them that your orders come from Berlin. Heil Hitler!"

Boehringer finished with a resounding, "Danke General. Heil Hitler."

Heinrich, turned from the phone as he replaced the receiver and began speaking. "Hopefully there is something left of him to save."

Rolf looked down at the floor and just shook his head. "You've gone to a lot of trouble for him, Heinrich. I hope you don't live to regret it! Rolf sighed. "All he needs to do is escape and everything could turn around on you."

"I know Rolf."

"Then why?"

Biedenbender looked away. His determination mesmerize s me. I want to know how far he can go...how long he can last. And…"Because, take me out of Germany, Rolf, and I'm him."

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