Chapter 14: A New Kommandant?
Hogan and LeBeau walked through the woods back to camp without so much as a peep. All the way back, Hogan had the feeling again like they were being followed, but he never saw or heard anything out of the ordinary. They crouched down on the edge of the woods near the stump and waited for the searchlight to pass. As it did, it illuminated an area of ground in front of LeBeau and what he saw shocked him. He elbowed Hogan and pointed to the ground and waited for the light to pass over it again.
When the light passed, Hogan saw it. In the frozen ground was a large footprint: a large bare footprint. A tree that was obscured by some bushes started to move as if someone was holding it and shaking it. Hogan's mind thought back to the time he was in Arkansas and came across a similar situation. Just like then, he didn't want to hang around and find out what was doing that.
Hogan motioned for LeBeau to move down the tunnel as quickly as he could and Hogan was right on his heals. Once Hogan closed the stump door, he tripped the latch and locked it; "Just in case." He said.
"Colonel, what do you make of it?" LeBeau asked while changing into his uniform.
Hogan shook his head. "I don't know. The footprint could be from earlier since the ground has been frozen all dayand it could have been justa deer rubbing against the tree.To be safe though,no one leaves this camp by themselves until further notice." Hogan put his uniform on and headed for the ladder.
LeBeau sat on the bunk that was used for their guests. "Good night Colonel. If you don't mind, I want to stay down here for a while."
Hogan shook his head. "Stay as long as you like, just be topside for roll call. I am going to bed though. If you need anything let me know."
"Merci Colonel." LeBeau waited for Hogan to go up the ladder and then he pulled out a picture of his parents and started to grieve.
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When Hogan made it topside, the only sounds were the soft breathing and snoring of his men. A smile appeared on his face. Back too normal. Now for some long diserved sleep.Hogan went into his room and fell fast asleep.
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Hogan woke up for roll call and stood in line in the freezing cold with everyone else. Shultz finished his count and waited patiently for Klink to show up and demand a report. After a few minutes, Hogan looked at his watch. It isn't like Klink to be late for roll call. "Hay Shultz, what gives? My men and I are freezing out here."
Shultz shrugged his shoulders and went to the kommandantur, but Klink wasn't in there. He then went to Klink's quarters hoping that he was sick or overslept, but still nothing. His bed showed no signs that Klink had even come back from going into town last night. Shultz quickly rushed out to the guard at the front gate as he was coming off of his shift.
"Anytime Shultz moves that fast it means that something's wrong and I don't like it." Hogan commented. As Shultz started to hurry past him, he stopped him. "Something wrong Shultz?"
"Kommandant Klink is not anywhere to be found and he didn't come back from town last night." Shultz answered out of breath.
A vehicle at the front gate drew their attention. A captain stepped out of the truck and started to walk toward Shultz. Hogan stood and watched as Shultz saluted the captain and followed him to the back of the truck. After he looked in the truck, he fell to his knees.
After a few moments, Shultz finally stood and found his voice "All prisoners in the barracks now!" Without a comment, everyone complied. Once inside, Hogan looked through the periscope to watch what was going on. The truck pulled in front of the infirmary and the rest they could not see. Hogan saw Shultz go the Kommandantur and decided they better listen in. Everyone filed into Hogan's office and Kinch plugged the coffee pot in.
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"General Burkhalter, this is Sergeant Hans Shultz from Stalag 13. I have bad news to report. Colonel Klink was killed in a car accident."
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Everyone's mouths dropped in shock. "That help explains things." LeBeau commented
"It sure does." Hogan's voice was filled with remorse.
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"Jawol, I will run the camp until you arrive."
Hogan and his men looked at each other in disbelief. "What to we do?" Carter asked.
"We see what move the Krauts make and pray the Gestapo don't take control of the camp."
As if on queue, Major Hochstetter and a couple of trucks full of Gestapo pulled into camp followed by General Burkhalter's car."Carter are the tunnels wired to blow?" Hogan asked not taking his eyes off of the show out front.
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Burkhalter and Hochstetter were standing in the middle of the compound arguing
"Major, this is a Luftwaffe camp and the Luftwaffe will run it. It is the Gestapo's job to catch those who are not already locked up." Burkhalter stated
"I understand your position and all, but it has been common knowledge that if something happened to Klink, that the Gestapo would take over this camp." Hochstetter defended
Burkhalter stood toe to toe with Hochstetter and looked down at him. "Your eagerness causes me to believe that you might of had something to do with Colonel Klink's death just so you could try and take over this camp."
"General, I assure you I had nothing to do with Klink's death."
"An investigation will tell me the truth of what happened in that wreck." Burkhalter threatened.
A car pulling in the front gate stopped the arguing and both men came to attention and saluted. Neither one of them could see inside, but the flags on the car told them that it was someone of great importance. The window went down slightly and a letter was handed to Burkhalter.
Burkhalter opened the letter and read it out loud "It has been determinedby high command that the Gestapo will assume full responsibility of Stalag 13. They are to un the camp as they see fit without any interference from the Luftwaffe. Signed..." Burkhalter's mouth dropped.
"Who signed the order?" Hochstetter asked impatiently. Burkhalter handed him the letter. When Hochstetter read the signature his mouth dropped opened also. He turned to thank the man in the car, but the car had already left.
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"Tunnels are ready to blow whenever you are ready boy... Um I mean Sir." Carter bubbled
Hogan wasn't sure what was happening, but when saw Hochstetter get his evil grin and look toward barrack two, his heart filled with dread. Doesn't look like Burkhalter will be able to help this time.
Before Hogan could say anything about closing shop, the Gestapo entered the barracks. Hochstetter smiled evilly at Hogan. "I have you now. Take off your jacket and shirt." Hogan just stood there and folded his arms across his chest. Hochstetter motioned for a couple of guards to help Hogan with the removal. Hogan struggled but it was no use. Hochstetter motioned for the guards to handcuff him next. "Now we can finish our session without any interruptions." And Hogan was drug to the cooler.
"What do we do now Kinch?" Carter asked when the Gestapo left, "We are not going to leave him behind are we?"
"You know the Colonel's standing order." Kinch answered He was thankful that Hogan put so much faith in his abilities, but he hated making the tough decisions.
"Then you go mate. I am stayin' 'ere to get the gov'nor out." Newkirk said with defiance. "Besides, I 'aven't obeyed any of 'is orders thus far, why should I start."
Carter shook his head. "I am not going to set off the explosives while the Colonel is in camp."
LeBeau stood as straight and tall as he could. "I owe le Colonel and cannot abandon him."
"If we make it out of here alive, he will have to court martial all of us. I'll have to wait until Hochstetter and the goons leave and then I will talk to the Colonel. Until then we hold tight." Kinch answered.
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It was nighttime when Hochstetter and the guards left the cooler. With a heavy heart, Kinch went into the tunnels and made his way to the cooler. He cracked open the secret door and looked around.
The room was dark except for a sliver of light coming in from under the door. In the dim light Kinch saw Hogan's still form lying on the floor. He hoped that Hogan was only unconscious and quietly started to close the door.
"Why...still...here?" Came Hogan's weak voice.
"You're awake." Kinch said in shock. "I forgot something."
"What?"
Kinch cleared his throat "Um you Sir.Me and therest of the guys determined that we are not leaving without you. We agreed to stick it out with you until the end. Besides Carter said that he wouldn't blow the camp with you in it."
"I get...no respect...as an officer." Hogan tried to say light heartedly.
Kinch bit his lip. He was troubled by Hogan's condition. "Sir, we were wondering what the plan is?"
Hogan thought a moment and then quietly said, "Spread word…escape... tomorrow…night. Carter…blow…entire camp."
"Got it Colonel, what time?"
"Wait…signal."
Kinch could tell that Hogan was in a lot of pain. He didn't move the entire time he was in there. "Will you be able to last that long?"
Hogan was silent for a brief moment. "Have to."
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The next day seem to be the longest day of their lives. Carter and the gang worked at getting all the buildings wired. The waiting for showtime was driving the team crazy. Hochstetter went into the cooler after breakfast and only came out to eat lunch and dinner.
Newkirk tried to get a card game going to take their minds off of the Colonel, but it didn't work. He couldn't stand it any longer and went into the tunnels and headed to the cooler to see what was going on.
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Hochstetter circled Hogan flexing his hand. All of the punching was starting to make his hand cramp. "Hogan, this is getting boring. Answer my questions, or I will have to try other techniques."
By now Hogan was extremely weak. Hochstetter had not given him any food or water since he was taken to the cooler. In a low voice he answered. "Hogan…Robert E…"
"Hogan, I have heard thatinformationso many times that I have it memorized. Guard, bring one of the men from his barrack." Hochstetter ordered
Hogan looked at Hochstetter with determination in his eye and renewed strength. "Leave my men alone. They have nothing to do with this."
"Perhaps, but it might help loosen your tongue."
"One moment you tell me to watch my tongue before someone removes it and now you are wanting me to talk. Make up your mind."
Smack! Hochstetter delivered another punch "You see Hogan, I have found your weekness: your men. After watching me question them for a while, maybe you will not be as smart mouthed."
Hogan felt his strength drain as images of Hochstetter torturing his men came to mind. He had to prevent that at all costs. He lowered his head in silence and swallowed hard. After a moment, he lifted his head and looked into Hochstetter's eyes. Hochstetter saw a familiar look in Hogan's eyes, however this is the first time he had seen it in Hogan's eyes. He had seen that look in many of the men when he was through interrogating them. It was the look of a broken man. "If I tell you what you want to know, you promise to leave them alone."
