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.
Weaving a Web to Freedom,
Undoing the Past
By Marty Miller
Background information, for this story, is from the HH Episode "The Meister Spy"
Chapter 11
CRAAACK! Thunder echoed across the night sky following the blinding flash of lightening. It had been barely raining when they first lined up outside, but within minutes it had changed into a downpour. The drenched prisoners returned to the barrack following yet another roll call.
"Now why couldn't it have started lightning before we went out in the rain." Carter complained.
"Blimey, what a night! You'd think ole Klink would skip a roll call in this kind of weather," Newkirk grumbled.
"Ha, it doesn't surprise me, I knew he didn't have sense enough to come in out of the rain," LeBeau answered.
"Did you see him take off for his quarters when that lightning arched across the sky?" Kinch asked. "I don't think I've ever seen him move that fast!"
"Hey, Louis, any coffee left?" Carter lifted the pot and gave it a shake.
"Carter, forget the coffee, get that wine we pilfered from Klink last month," Hogan ordered.
"What's the occasion, Colonel," Kinch asked, as he busily tried to dry his hair with an already wet towel.
"Just thought we could use something to take the chill off. But only one glass, we need to keep our heads straight.
Kinch peered out from around the towel. Seeing the concern in Hogan's eyes, he lowered the towel and approached. "Ok, Colonel. Sounds like a good idea!" He turned toward the others and joked, "Come on you guys lets round up some cups, before he changes his mind."
As the hunt for cups concluded, Hogan sat down at the table, "Ok, let's go over everything one more time. Gather around."
Before they could gather, a familiar clanging from below stopped everyone.
"Someone wants to come up from the tunnel." Carter announced taking a step toward the bunk hiding the entrance.
"Hold it! Check the door, LeBeau." Hogan joined Carter at the bunk and, as LeBeau gave the all clear, rapped on the side of the upper bunk, which opened the entrance. Within seconds Wilson popped his head up into the barrack.
"Thought I'd better come and check on Newkirk. I was afraid he would still be walking around in wet pants and a damp dressing." Looking his patient over he added, "And I was right!"
"Come on up, Sergeant, and have a drink with us." Newkirk invited.
"What's the occasion?" Wilson asked taking a cup from Carter.
"We're out of coffee!" Carter laughed.
Wilson held out his glass for Carter to fill, took a swig and motioned Newkirk into Hogan's room. "Come on Newkirk, let's get that dressing changed."
Hogan took a step forward. "Wait a minute, Wilson. Can't this wait a few minutes? I had just called a meeting right before you came."
"No, it can't wait. We've got to keep that wound dry."
"Yeah, you're right. Go on, Newkirk. Wilson has the last word in these matters." Hogan conceded.
His men stopped what they were doing and silently stared at him.
"What?"
Wilson grinned. "I've got witnesses, Colonel. They all heard you say it. I've got the last word in these instances."
Hogan smiled sheepishly. "I guess I put my foot in it this time."
"Oui," LeBeau agreed, and then looking at Newkirk added, "Yeah, go with Wilson. We'll try to save you some wine."
"Try? Now wait a minute! Wilson, are you sure this can't wait? The Colonel doesn't do this very often."
Wilson grabbed his retreating patient's arm, "No, this can't wait, move! I'm not taking any chances when it comes to infections."
Newkirk's smile changed to concern and as the door to Hogan's quarters closed, called out, "There bloody well better be some wine left when I get back!"
LeBeau's smile disappeared as he glanced out into the compound and saw a truck, followed by two staff cars, pull into camp.
"Oh, oh, Mon Colonel…company."
Peering through the rain, everyone watched as three German officers got out of the first car, followed by three more from the second car. The officers all ran to the cover of the porch and into Klink's office.
Hogan frowned. "Could anybody make out their uniforms?"
"No, it's raining too hard." Kinch answered. "Wait a minute, one's coming back. But I still can't make out any rank. He's talking to the driver of the truck."
Hogan opened the shutter on the window enough to see the truck drive toward the camp hospital. Once there five soldiers climbed out of the back and started unloading crates.
"What do you think they're unloading?" Carter asked.
"I don't know, but I don't think I like it." Hogan felt a cold chill go through him as he stepped away from the window. "Remember the plan everybody and stick to your stories. They can't prove anything. It's our word against Strasser's. The only way they can get at us is if we slip up. Don't make it look too easy. If we do this right they could be out of here in 48 hours. Are there any questions about what you are to say?"
Kinch spoke up. "We've got it, Colonel. We've all been role playing and practicing."
The door to Hogan's room opened and Newkirk came out eager to catch up with his glass of wine but before he could say anything, LeBeau delivered the bad news.
"We've got company."
It didn't take long for Newkirk to realize what that meant.
"Bloody 'ell, do they have to start this stuff at night?" Newkirk demanded.
Kinch walked over to the table and pounded the cork back into the half spent bottle of wine. "We'll save this for later."
Newkirk's eyes opened wide, "Now wait a minute, I haven't had any yet and I think I'm definitely going to need it!"
"You wouldn't have liked it anyway. It wasn't a good year." LeBeau panned.
Carter handed Newkirk his still half full glass of wine, under Hogan's watchful eye.
"No more wine, and the rest of you guys get rid of what you've got. Get that bottle stowed away, Kinch. I don't want them coming over here and finding anything out of the ordinary. Remember, we're just cowed POW's sitting out the war. We've got to make them think that this is a tightly run camp."
Newkirk, following orders, did away with his wine in one gulp. "Well that's going to be hard to do unless we can get rid of Klink."
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvv
As Strasser regained consciousness, he realized he was blindfolded and gagged but he could feel the cold dampness in the air around him, and indistinct voices in the background.
~Where am I? Who are these people? The Gestapo? No, the Gestapo would have just walked up and taken me. This was more like an abduction. ~ And then the thought struck him, The Resistance! ~
Strasser squinted as the blindfold was removed. Still gagged, he tried to see around the bright light shining on him. His hands were tied behind him and he could hear the movement of people behind the light.
~What do they want? Why haven't they killed me? ~
"Herr Strasser, we have some information for you." The voice reaching out from behind the light was smooth and under any other circumstance may have been perceived as calming.
Armin, doubted revealing their knowledge of Strasser's years of being an experiment for his father's research would do any good. But they had to keep him here for a few hours and, who knows, maybe something would click in his brainwashed mind if he were forced to relive his past. Maybe he would realize what had been done to him.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vv
"Kommandant, this is a carefully orchestrated operation. I first want to screen Colonel Hogan in a less rigid environment. I will use your living quarters. There will be one heavily armed guard with me and that is all. You will be there to introduce me, after which you will leave and not disturb us."
Knefler nodded toward the other officers present in Klink's office. "Each of these interrogators has been hand picked for the prisoner they are going to interview. While I am with Colonel Hogan, you will take each of them to a place where they can prepare to conduct their interrogation in private, with the exception of Corporal Scharff. He will be taking over the Recreation building.
"Then you are going to begin tonight?" Klink asked.
"It's always better to begin at night, Colonel Klink. It interrupts sleep patterns. The prisoners have been awake for sixteen or more hours, that is a good start toward sleep deprivation."
Klink stood nodding his head in agreement, "I see what you mean."
"So, Colonel, if you would take me to your living quarters and send one of your guards for Colonel Hogan, we can begin." Knefler tilted his head and smiled.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Carter was watching out the door. "Klink just stuck his head out and talked to the guard on the porch. Now the guard is heading over to Schultz's barrack," Carter announced, as he looked back at Hogan, who was fumbling trying to zip up his still damp bomber jacket.
Hogan gave a weak smile and nodded. Ok, Wilson, you better slip into my room. I think Schultz will be coming and I don't want him to know you're here.
"Right, Colonel. Good Luck, sir."
Wilson was worried for these men. He could feel the apprehension in the room and it made his skin crawl.
"Here comes Schultz, Colonel," Carter said, as he turned to look at Hogan.
Hogan nonchalantly placed his cap on his head, tugged his jacket down, and waited.
"Colonel Hogan," Schultz called as he came through the door. "The Kommandant wants to see you."
"What's this all about, Schultz?"
"Please, Colonel Hogan, don't ask me any questions. I know nothing."
"Ok, Schultz," Hogan answered. "Let's go."
"Don't let em' get to you gov'," Newkirk encouraged.
"Oui, Mon Colonel, be careful."
Carter stood silently watching.
"Any remaining orders, Colonel," Kinch asked, watching Hogan head for the door.
"No, Kinch." And then looking around, he added, "You know what to do, men."
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Hogan and Schultz were quickly walking toward the Kommandant's office, in the pouring rain, when Hogan felt Schultz grab his arm. "This way, Colonel Hogan."
The senior POW was led to the Kommandant's living quarters. The SS guard standing duty opened the door for them to enter. Hogan was soon standing in a puddle of water as the rain drained from his clothes.
"Colonel Hogan, Colonel Knefler would like to talk to you." Klink announced with a clipped tone.
Schultz, following instructions, turned Hogan around and began to frisk him while the SS guard on duty inside Klink's quarters kept his gun trained on him.
Hogan, surprised, quietly submitted.
As Schultz finished, Klink ordered, "Schultz, come with me." And they both quickly exited out the front door.
Hogan watched them leave and wondered whatwas next?
"Colonel Hogan, come in. Take your hat off. I want to have a look at you." Knefler said, with anticipation.
The Colonel turned toward the voice, but did not immediately move and soon felt a helpful shove, moving him in the direction of Colonel Knefler. His hat was snatched from his head and thrust into his hands by a guard who assisted him across the room and deposited him in front of Knefler.
"I can't say much for your concierge service," Hogan wisecracked, as rainwater continued to drip down his face.
Knefler smiled and remained sitting in an over stuffed chair in the corner of the living area. His feet were propped up on a footstool, and he had a brandy resting in his left hand.
The German Colonel looked Hogan up and down. ~ I see you're looking me over too, Colonel. So it's true, you do observe your opponent, while your opponent observes you. ~
"We have met once before, briefly. You had just been released from the "cooler" after serving time for disobedience…or some such thing. It looks like you are still learning obedience, Colonel." Knefler indicated the discoloration on Hogan's jaw and studied his reaction.
Hogan straightened at the mention of the bruise Hochstetter left him and, realizing Knefler already knew about Hochstetter's visit, did not respond.
"I recall you were quite talkative the night I saw you. Let's hope that hasn't changed." Knefler took a sip of his brandy while he continued to inspect his subject.
"Colonel Hogan, there have been some serious charges filed against you."
"Against me?" Hogan feigned surprise and proclaimed his innocence. "What could I have done from a POW camp? I mean, besides throw rocks at the search lights?"
~You're as flippant as your dossier suggests.
"I've been looking over the Gestapo's record on the activities going on around Stalag 13. This area has been a hot spot of activity for the underground." Knefler watched for a response.
"Really? Klink never tells us anything!" Hogan studied Knefler, trying to decide how much credence he had given Strasser's story.
Knefler continued. He was enjoying seeing the man he had concocted in his mind come to life.
"Your records at Dulag Luft, indicate you had some serious injuries when you dropped in on us. Do you remember any of that Colonel?"
The question took some of the flippancy out of Hogan. "I remember. Why?"
Hogan tensed almost imperceptibly as he put two and two together and realized Knefler had most likely read his records from Dulag. He did remember most of it...or at least he thought he did. What did that have to do with Strasser?
Knefler noted the tensing of Hogan's jaw and neck and knew he had unnerved the American Colonel.
"We put you back together. Don't make us take you apart. Think about that, Colonel." Knefler paused, and then continued. "This guard is going to take you to the infirmary for a physical by two of our doctors."
"For a what?" Hogan straightened.
He hadn't expected this. How did this fit into the investigation? Why would a physical be necessary before an interrogation?What was Knefler up too?Hogan's warning lights lit up.
"I have to admit, I don't recall ever having to have a physical before I was interrogated. Does that mean if I flunk my physical, I can't be interrogated? The Red Cross has really made some progress!" Hogan smarted off.
Knefler looked at Hogan without cracking a smile, although privately, he was quite amused.
~ Fast with your come backs, Colonel. I can see your mind working, analyzing, and trying to make the pieces fit. ~
"We document everything now, Colonel. We can't tell how far we take you, if we don't know where we start." Knefler continued his observations. Checking, to be sure, he had not made any mistakes in his understanding of this man.
"I don't think I like the sound of that." Hogan said seriously. His mind was busy dissecting the situation. Why would they need to document a change in his condition?He knew they were not expecting it to improve. Neither was he, but a physical?
"Guard, take him." Knefler was enjoying Hogan's apprehension.
Looking over his shoulder at the guard and then back to the German Colonel, sipping his brandy, Hogan balked. "Why don't you let me in on what this is all about? Maybe I can clear things up for you and save us both a lot of time."
"Oh, don't worry about that, Colonel Hogan. We've got all the time we need." Colonel Knefler motioned for the guard to carry on.
The guard reached for Hogan and shoved him toward the door.
"Can't we talk this over?" Hogan stopped and received a gun barrel in his back prodding him forward.
~You recover quickly from surprises, Colonel Hogan. But I'm afraid there is no plea bargaining.
Knefler watched, as Hogan resisted the guard. ~ Hesitation, Colonel? Are you anticipating or remembering?
Flipping his hat onto his head, Hogan sighed, and began his march to the infirmary. The game has just started and already they had thrown him a curve.Thank goodness it was raining. At least they wouldn't be able to see him sweat.
Colonel Knefler watched his prisoner being ushered out. He was satisfied that the American's mind was sound, and amused at his reaction to being taken for a physical. ~I don't recall having read anything about your being flustered, at any time, during your stay at Dulag, Colonel, but you obviously were just now. Is it your memories of Hohemark or are you just nervous around doctors. Or are you nervous around doctors because of your experience at Hohemark. Maybe I should have had a doctor interrogate you. ~ He mused, laughing.
