Chapter 12: Vas Uns Das Krieg Est Uber

"Klink, get your men inside now! Colonel Hogan get some men to get those tanks in position to protect us. The rest of you arm yourself and take cover!" Maria ordered. She went up to Misty "Get these off of me!" Misty unlocked the handcuffs "I however want you in the tunnels and don't argue I don't have time."

"Yes Ma'am." Misty saluted and left.

Maria got her Mauser and went to the front gates. Hogan went up to join her. "How do you plan on shooting that thing with your arm in a sling?"

"It is amazing what the human body is capable of doing when it comes to self preservation."

A Panzer tank stopped just outside of the gates and all the tanks behind it stopped. The top hatch opened and a white flag started waving over the tank. "Hold your fire!" Maria ordered. A German soldier stood up and in broken English asked, "I speak to General Crockett"

"I am General Crockett"

The German gave her a weird look "We surrender"

Maria was in shock "I accept your surrender. Please dismount your vehicles and lay down all weapons. Put your hands up and walk this way. Open the gates. Sergeants Kinchloe and Carter and Corporal Newkirk, collect their weapons. Colonel Hogan, please get a processing station set up and get Colonel Klink."

"Yes Ma'am" Hogan saluted and left.

"Are you the highest ranking soldier in your group?" Maria asked the man that had waved the white flag.

"Jawol I am Colonel Von Tackenberger."

"I would like to speak with you. Could you please come with me?" Tackenberger fallowed Maria nervously into the Kommandantur. "Please have a seat. Why have you and your men chosen to surrender to me?"

"Now that Hitler is dead, we believe the end of the war is near. We were originally sent here to make sure Colonel Klink followed Hitler's orders. None of us believed that was a fare order. We heard that Colonel Klink had surrendered the camp to the Allies and that the camp was liberated. We figured it would be best to surrender."

"When was the last time your men have eaten?"

"This morning, our rations ran out."

"After everyone his processed, I will see that you and your men are fed. You are dismissed."

Von Tackenberger stood and saluted. Maria returned his salute and looked at the calendar. May 6, 1945. One more day of the war left for Germany.

It took all day for the new prisoners to get processed and fed. Maria was glad the war for Germany would end soon. Stalag 13 was about to bust at the seems with all the people it now housed. Maria ordered that slats be put in the rafters to provide more sleeping room.Shenotified London of their new prisoners then sat at her desk starting the paperwork for when they release the prisoners.

There was a knock on the door "Are you busy General?" Klink asked as he poked his head in the door.

"Nothing that I have to finish right now. Come in Kommandant." Klink walked in and stood at attention in front of Maria. "At ease Kommandant. Have a seat. What is on your mind?"

"With Hitler gone, I can't imagine the war lasting much longer. I have heard that Grand Admiral Doentz is more for the welfare of the German people. I can't see him wasting German lives like Hitler did. I was wondering if you have heard any more about my fate? I hope the rest ofmy men will be allowed to return to their homes."

Maria looked into Klink's eyes. She could see the fear he was hiding. "I wish I had good news for you. They are going to make you stand trial. We have written in our reports to London though about how humanly you treated the prisoners, and that you abided by the Geneva Convention. If at all possible, we will also testify on your behalf. It is all we can do. I am afraid the rest is out of our hands. As for your men, yes they will be allowed to leave."

Klink hung is head. That was the answer he was afraid of. "I doubt you will be able to testify consider both of you are going to be court martialed. You know that the anticipation of punishment is worse than the punishment itself?"

"Yea, I do. The Gestapo loves that statement. It makes their job easier."

"I still give you my word that I will stay and face my fate. I will not disgrace my family or name by running."

"Thank you Kommandant."

"I wish you and Colonel Hogan would please stop calling me that. I do not have the right to be called that any more."

"Would you rather I call you Uncle Wilhelm?" Maria smiled

Klink looked at her and laughed. "I don't think they would understand Niece."

"Is there any thing else?"

"No thank you." Klink stood up and saluted. After Maria returned his salute, Klink turned to walk away but stopped. "Thanks for the laugh." Then walked out the door.

The next evening Maria walks up to Hogan and puts her arms around him and gives him a big kiss. "Gee I must have done something right. What was it so I can do it again?"

Maria giggled "Nothing, I am just in a good mood. Lets go into town tonight for dinner."

"What's the special occasion?"

"A rumor I heard."

"What?"

"I don't want to gossip so you will have to wait until tomorrow."

Maria and Hogan enjoyed a nice evening together eating and dancing. They didn't get back to camp until two thirty in the morning. Before Maria went to bed, she stopped by barrack two to tell Kinch to handle things until they got up.

That evening, Maria called for a special roll call at 2300 hours. She had the radio playing over the PA system. "Attention! Actung! An announcement from General Admiral Doentz:

GERMAN MEN AND WOMEN:

When I addressed the German nation on May 1 telling it that the Fuehrer had appointed me his successor, I said that my foremost task was to save the lives of the German people. In order to achieve this goal, I ordered the German High Command during the night of May 6-7 to sign the unconditional surrender for all fronts. On May 8 at 2300 the arms will be silent1."

"Vas uns das krieg est uber! For us the war is over!" Maria shouted triumphantly. There was cheering in different languages all over camp. Even the Germans were cheering that the war for them was finally over.

Hogan turns to Maria and gives her a big hug. "Was this the rumor you were referring to?" Maria nodded her head as Misty ran up to them and joined in on the hug. No one slept that night. Unfortunately the celebration was short lived for Maria as she spent the rest of the night finishing the paperwork for the prisoners that were going to be released. She called London and gave them the list of names of the German prisoners that she was going to release to make sure there name wasn't on a list to be detained. The only name on the list was Colonel Wilhelm Klink. Maria, Hogan, Misty and Klink stood at the gate as the truckloads of Germans left. Shultz came walking up to Maria. "Why are you not on one of the trucks Shultz?"

"Greta is going to be picking me up. It seems she needs to drop something off." He answered with a smile.

Maria's face lit up with the thought of seeing Robert again. "I was planning on going to pick him up, but thanks for saving us the trip."

Not to long later Mrs. Shultz arrived at the camp holding Robert. Maria and Hogan ran to greater her. "Thank you so much for looking after Robert. I don't know how I can I ever repay you?"

"No need to you already have by taking care of my Hans and seeing to it thathe made it to the end of the war alive."

Maria held Robert as she and Hogan hugged him. "Misty meet your brother" I cant believer how big he has gotten!

A US military truck pulled into the compound and some MP's got out. "Here Misty take Robert. I have a feeling I know what all this is about."

"General Crockett, Colonel Hogan and Colonel Klink?" Corporal Brown asked Maria nodded. "We have orders to place all of you under arrest. Where might we find Sergeant Kinchloe, Sergeant Carter, Corporal Newkirk and Corporal LeBeau?"

"We're here mate." Newkirk responded as he walked up to the MP's with the rest of the group.

"I have orders to place you gentleman under arrest." The guards stood behind everyone and handcuffed them.

"Is that really necessary Corporal? After all they did stay here instead of leaving when they had the chance to." Misty defended.

"We are following policy ma'am."

"It will be all right Misty. Just take care of Robert I'll see you in London."

The MP's put everyone in the back of the truck and took them to the air field so they could fly them to London.

When they arrived in London, Klink was taken to lock up while everyone else was taken immediately to the court room

"I have received a copy of all of your reports. There are many charges that have been filed against you. Most of them are not following orders and insubordination. How do you plea to these charges Colonel Hogan?"

"Sir, I accept full responsibility for my actions as well as the actions of the men under my command. They were only following the orders I gave them. Sir" Answered Hogan

"And General Crockett, how do you plea?" General Hamman asked.

"Sir, I made the call that seemed necessary at that time. I believed the well being of the German prisoners and civilians as well as some of the Allied personnel at Stalag 13 were in jeopardy. I did try and reach you to inform you of the situation. At that time, there was no time to wait for you to get back in touch with me Sir."

"Why is that General?"

"It was brought to my attention that Colonel Huckaba and his men abused some of the civilians of Hammelberg, and was abusive toward me as well as another American female civilian that was at Stalag 13. Colonel Huckaba also demonstrated blatant disregard for the Geneva Convention concerning the treatment of prisoners. At that time, I believe my life as well as the lives of the German prisoners were in jeopardy."

"Where is Colonel Huckaba now?"

"Buried at the prisoner cemetery. In the process of trying to blow up the entire camp, he was shot and killed."

"There will be a short recess while we discuss your case. No one is to leave the room." General Whimbly ordered.

"Colonel you don't have to take all the blame on you. Remember we volunteered and every mission was a volunteer mission. We chose to do the things we did. Let us take the fare share of the blame." Carter said as everyone just stared at him. "What?"

"Mate you can really say a mouth full when you want to. But he is right gov'nor" Newkirk added.

"None the less they were still my orders. Let me do this as the last act as your CO?" Hogan pleaded.

Hogan's eyes pleaded more than his words did. "If that is the way you want it sir. We will respect your wish, even though we don't agree with it." LeBeau said.

"Return to your seats please." Whimbly ordered. "Colonel Hogan, if you decide to take full responsibility for your men's actions, you could be downgraded in rank, spend five years at Leavenworth and dishonorably discharged. If you choose not to accept responsibility for their actions, the only change is you will not do any time. Do you change your mind?"

Without hesitation Hogan answered, "No Sir."

Captain Ruben went up to Hogan and removed the eagles off of his uniform. As Hogan felt the captain remove his eagles, his heart sank. It's not enough I put my life on the line everyday and make the impossible happen. Just because I disagree with them, they are taking away my rank.

"General Crockett, for you actions, and the fact that the only reason you were promoted to General was for your assignment and since the assignment is now over, you will be downgraded to a Colonel and all record of you being a General will be erased.

"You cant do that!" Misty yelled "She has more than earned her rank. You have no right to take it away from her." Misty defended

"Who is this young lady?" Whimbly asked

"She is my daughter Sir."

"She better learn to keep her mouth shut before I hold her in contempt."

"Yes sir. Misty please sit down and keep quiet. I knew the consequences of my actions. I accept my punishment. We need you to take care of Robert."

Captain Ruben went to Maria and replaced the stars on her uniform with Hogan's eagles. Then he went back to Hogan and put a new rank on Hogan's collar.

"However it has been determined that all of you will spend time in a prison. It is determined that everyone shall be sentenced to Stalag 13. General Hogan you will be the Commandant of the camp and since Colonel Crockett specialty is interrogation, she will be in charge of interrogating all new prisoners. We are going to need a place to put the prisoners that are found guilty and sentenced to minimum security or are awaiting trial. Based on Colonel Crockett's results from the interrogations, we will determine the category the prisoners will fall in. Are there any objections?"

"Sir no sir." They all answered in unison.

"You will report to Stalag 13 in two weeks. Are there any questions before you are dismissed?"

Hogan spoke up. "I have one sir. I was wondering if Colonel Klink could be placed in the custody of Colonel Crockett and myself?"

"Are the two of you planning on staying together for the two weeks?"

Hogan glanced at Maria. "Sir there is something you should know about Colonel Crockett, or should I say Colonel Hogan and myself. We have been recently married."

"I see. Will this affect the two of you working together?"

"No sir."

"Why do you want to have this Kraut released into your custody?"

"Sir, Colonel Klink was a fair Kommandant. He always followed the Geneva Convention and stood up for us when possible. I accept responsibility for him. He could have left, but chose to stay and surrender the camp to me. I do not believe he is a flight risk. If he does escape, I will take his place."

"So do I sir." Maria spoke up.

Kinch looked at everyone who nodded "Sir so do we."

"Wow! Why would all of you agree to take a Krauts place?"

"There 'as been many times 'e stood up for us and now it is our turn to repay 'im. 'E could 'ave treated us like the rest of the Kommandants in the other POW camps but 'e didn't sir." Newkirk answered.

Everyone looked at Newkirk. No one would have ever expected him to stand up for Klink, not to mention put his life on the line for him.

"Granted. Make sure he is with you at all times. It is also your responsibility to protect him. There are going to be a lot of people who will be anti-German out there."

"Sir yes sir." They all answered.

"General Hogan you may assume custody of Klink when you are dismissed. If there is nothing else? Dismissed." Everyone saluted and then left to get Klink.

1 From the Jewish Virtual Library