CHAPTER 3

Four days later all of Hogan's core team is gathered in his quarters, together with Michelle and the doctor. They day has come when it will be determined if he is blind permanently or if it was just temporarily. All of them are nervous, even Hogan, though he tries not to show it. Hausner is carefully unraveling the bandage around his head and then at last takes of the gauze pads from his eyes. Hogan keeps them still closed, afraid of what he might see or not see when he opens them.

To avoid any undue stress to his ocular nerves, the blinds are closed and only the small lamp on his desk illuminates the room in a soft light. Dr. Hausner then orders him to try to open his eyes and to blink a few times. Reluctantly Hogan does as he is told. Taking a deep breath, he blinks his eyes open, only a slit at first, allowing them to adjust.

But even after blinking a few times, his view doesn't change. Everything is still as black as the darkest night. He is still blind! How can he still command all those men, the operation? Hogan is so engrossed in his dark thoughts that he doesn't even register that tears are flowing down his cheeks, the only outward sign of his inner turmoil. Michelle is the first to react. She sits down on the bunk and throws her arms around him, holding him. He leans his head on her shoulder and just lets the tears flow. She whispers words of comfort into his ear, nipping it a bit, letting him know that she still desires him. His men come forward too, all of them trying to give comfort to their ailing Colonel.

Finally after seemingly endless minutes, Hogan has enough of all the cuddling and tells his men to "Knock it off!"

Wiping his face with his shirt sleeve, Hogan addresses his radioman "Kinch, get on the horn to London. Let them know about my situation and ask them how they wish us to proceed. Make it priority one, code Red or whatever. Just let them know this is urgent and we need their answer yesterday. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Sir; I'll get right onto it. " With those words, Kinch exits the office and heads for their tunnel entrance, hidden in one of the bunks.

Dr. Hausner approaches his patient and says "Colonel, there is still a chance this is temporarily. The swelling might need longer than three days to go down. Give it maybe two more days, if there is not an improvement by then, than I fear this is permanent."

Needing time to be alone, Hogan sends everyone out of his quarters. As soon as the last person leaves and closes the door behind them, Hogan turns over in his bunk to face the wall, closing his sightless eyes and trying to find some sleep. Unbidden tears again start to flow, silent tears. This whole situation is too much for him. Normally he is the strong one, overcoming all odds, even when they are against him, but this time fate dealt him a blow he can't recover from. He is a bomber pilot, a squadron commander, a man who needs perfect eyesight for his job. But now that he has obviously lost it, there is no other choice but to honorable discharge him, as no Air Force has a need for a blind pilot. His whole life lies in shambles before him.

He snuggles deeper into the blankets and tries to block out those devastating thoughts, but they are insistent and keep on coming, making it impossible for him to find real rest. But needing the rest for his recovery, Hogan rolls over and sits on the edge of his bunk. Knowing his quarters like the back of his hand, he can navigate throughout it blindly, which he now does, literally. Making his way over to his desk and from there to his stand-up locker, he carefully reaches out to the shelf right beside it. On the lower one, he finds what he is looking for. A metal can, containing their knock-out pills. Opening the can with ease, he shakes out two pills and swallows them dry. Putting the can back on the shelf, he walks back to his bunk and lowers himself onto it. As soon as he lies down and pulls up the blanket, he falls asleep, finally.

Out in the main room his men, Carter, Newkirk and LeBeau are waiting for Kinch to come back up from the tunnels. About two hours later he finally does come up again. His facial expression says nothing good. Newkirk asks first "What did the brass have to say about the Gov'ner's situation, mate? Come on, out with it."

Sitting down and taking the cup of coffee that LeBeau offers, Kinch unwraps the piece of paper on which he had written down the message from London, Allied High Command. Clearing his throat, he reads aloud "From Allied High Command, London to Papa Bear, Stalag 13. Sad to hear that news, old chap. Shut down the operation and send everyone home at once. Use the underground to help in getting all the men to the coast and our subs and ships. A plane will pick the command team up at the usual coordinates at 23:30 hrs. tonight. No delays! Get out! Especially Papa Bear! Goldilocks; over and out."

Grumbling the men start packing their few belongings. LeBeau heads over into the Colonel's quarters to pack his things for him. Trying to be as quiet as possible, he packs two bags with the Colonel's personal belongings and clothes. Finished he exits the room and sets the two bags down besides his own. Kinch sends Garlotti and Olsen out to inform the other barracks chiefs to prepare their men for immediate evacuation. Carter heads down into the tunnels to set his charges throughout them, making sure that nothing will be left once they go boom. Newkirk starts piling all of their sensitive documents, like maps and such on the table. Once he is sure he has them all, including those from their CO's office, he takes them down into the tunnels, ensuring they will never be found.

Shortly before evening roll-call the men are all ready to head out. To not look suspicious to the guards, their bags are all down in the tunnel, leaving only a few things laying out in the open, so everything looks rather normal. They file out for roll-call and wait patiently to be counted by Schultz. After Klink dismisses them, they get back inside and plan the next step. They will all go after lights out in small groups, heading out of the emergency tunnel exit. There members of the underground will help them to get to the next stop, a safe house.

But first they have to confer with their commanding officer. With heavy hearts the men of the core team enter Hogan's quarters. Seeing their CO asleep on the bottom bunk and knowing he needs it, makes it harder for them to have to wake him up.

Kinch moves forward and gently shakes his Colonel's shoulder. But the Colonel sleeps on. Shaking him a bit harder this time and addressing him, Kinch is now successful in rousing his CO. Slowly turning over on his bunk; Hogan is surprised at hearing his whole team coming into his office.

"What the hell is going on?"

This time it's Newkirk who answers "Begging your pardon, Gov'ner, but we were ordered to close up shop and get out of here at once. The preparations are all done, like you always told us. We are only waiting on your approval, Gov'ner and we'll be out of here like a shot."

Thinking a moment, Hogan says "Alright then. But if we are going, we all go. Get a few men and send them out to take Klink, Schultz, Langenscheidt, young Mueller and Hilda and bring them here into the tunnels, blindfolded of course. We don't want to give anything away. Newkirk head for the armory and get your hands on as many handguns and rifles as possible. Take a few men with you to help out. We need to be prepared for everything when we head out into the woods. I don't want any bloodshed. But this is war and we will do what we have to do, to survive. LeBeau, head to the kennel and take care of our canine friends. We can't leave them here alone. Kinch, radio London and let them know we are heading out. Grab a walkie-talkie for use while underway. The rest will be shut down and destroyed once we leave this all behind. That will be all. You have your orders men. File out. "

With a chorus of "Yes, Sir" or "Yes, Colonel" and a "Oui, Colonel" from LeBeau, the men head out to do as they are ordered.

LeBeau halts a moment in the doorway and tells his Colonel "I have packed your things for you, mon Colonel. Everything is in two bags and I hope I haven't forgotten anything."

Smiling at his fierce and loyal friend, Hogan replies "No worries, LeBeau. I'll check the footlocker and all other hidden nooks and crannies to make sure nothing of me is left in here for the Krauts to find. – Now go, the dogs are waiting for you."

LeBeau cries out happily „Oui, Mon Colonel! " And heads then out to the main room. Climbing down the ladder into their tunnel he makes his way through the one that leads directly beneath the kennel. Going up that ladder, he looks around and seeing no one close by, gets out. The dogs all come running to him, their tails swishing, ears peaked. LeBeau shakes his head at them.

"No meals this time for you, mes amies." Behind him the dog house lifts up and to his surprise the head of none other than his CO's is looking out. Louis walks over to him "What are you doing here, mon Colonel? Shouldn't you be in your bed?"

Hogan answers softly "I had enough sleep. Now is the time for some action. How is it going with the dogs?"

In answer one of the German Shepard's, Heidi, comes over and starts licking his face and neck, showering him with her dog love.

LeBeau laughs lightly at seeing that display of affection. "She loves you, mon Colonel. Like all females. She can't resist your charm, Sir."

Hogan rubs the female canine behind her ears and says to Louis "Swell. Just swell."

By now all the other dogs have crowded behind Louis. He then asks Hogan "How are we getting the dogs down the ladder, Colonel?"

Hogan reflects some moments, and then he says "As far as I know, you have done so before LeBeau at least with one of them, Bismarck I believe it was. So we will do it with the others just like you did at that time with him; it should be easy."

LeBeau slaps his hand to his forehead. "Mon Dieu! You are right, Mon Colonel. I've done it before."

Turning around he calls out „Bismarck. Come here boy."

The dark Shepard comes over and sits down beside LeBeau. LeBeau whispers something into the dogs ear and he whuffs and trots over to Hogan and the tunnel opening.

One after another they get each of the dogs down into the tunnels, coercing them with the promise of a nice big bone or meal. After all eight guard dogs are in the tunnel, Heidi, the only female one among them goes over to Hogan and nudges him in his leg with her nose. Getting the hint, Hogan goes down on his knee to pat her. While he is doing so, he takes a leash and attaches it to her collar.

Then he rises to his full height again and allows the dog to lead him to his friends. Amazingly Heidi seems to know the way, either by instinct or just following her nose, which leads her to Hogan's men who are waiting in the main tunnel room, near the radio.

Finally everything is set. The charges are ready to go, all men have their belongings and guns and their guests are ready to head out too, among them the former Kommandant, who is now wearing civilian clothing, thanks to Newkirk. The same goes for Schultz, Langenscheidt and Mueller. Only Hilda could stay in her clothes, but she insisted on changing into something more practical, instead of a skirt and heels. So Newkirk provided her with an airman's uniform and boots.

And now all are moving out, in small groups, a few minutes apart. The last ones to leave are Hogan and his command team. Asking Carter if the charges are ready to go, he gets the answer from an overeager demolitions man that they certainly go boom twenty minutes after the last one of them has left the tunnels.

Satisfied Hogan and his men take the dogs with them and help them up the ladder as it is too steep for a dog to climb by itself. Once they are all out, they head out into the woods and make their way to the rendezvous point with the plane, careful to avoid any patrols.

With their eight guests in tow they reach the improvised landing strip ten minutes ahead of time. They take cover in the bushes surrounding the strip and wait. At the appointed time the lone light of a plane can be made out. It gives the coded signal and Newkirk uses a flashlight to answer, also in code. Minutes later the plane lands smoothly and rolls out, halting near their hiding place. Hearing the engine, Hogan sends his men out with their guests first and most of the dogs. He himself stays back, loaded gun in one hand and the leash for Heidi in the other; ready to defend his men if the need arises. Seeing things he may not, but his hearing and his other senses are on high alert and well-functioning.

But thankfully there is no need for him to use his gun. A member of the plane crew comes over and helps him to board. Once all are inside, seated and belted in, the pilot takes off, heading back over the channel and to England.

After a one hour and a half flight with no interference by anti-aircraft guns or fighter planes, the B-17, touches down on Stanstead Airfield, outside of London. The heroes can't believe it. They really are home; more or less. They can go back to their families and friends and forget about the horror of this war.

But first they have to go through debriefings with the London brass, the Allied High Command and of course a medical check-up and a psychological evaluation. Piece of cake, as Newkirk would say for most of them. Only one person may not be too happy about having to go through those check-ups, their commanding officer, Colonel Robert E. Hogan.

Hogan dreads those tests, but he knows they are mandatory for every man that comes back from the war, especially ex-POWs like he and his men have been. After disembarking the plane, the heroes, their dogs and their new friends are lead to several jeeps, in which they are driven to the base hospital for their check-ups. A young Lieutenant from the Air Corps welcomes them back in England and tells them about the procedure. That after their check-ups, they are allowed to take a long, warm shower, dress in clean uniforms, which are waiting for them and afterwards they will be driven to London, to meet with the High Command in the war rooms beneath the town.

After they are through with all of that and are driven into the center of London, they all look around and shake their heads at seeing all the destruction. Only Hogan remains passive with Heidi at his side. But he can smell the smoke of the still burning fires in the air, combined with the scent of burning flesh and jet fuel. Disgusted he puts a hand over his eyes, which are still covered by a small bandage; and wishes for nothing more than for this damn war to end.

Reaching their destination the young Lieutenant leads them down the stairs to an underground station and from their through a secret, locked passageway into the war rooms of Churchill.