Chapter 23
Four days after Hogan was taken to Gestapo Headquarters in Hammelburg, Erika was at the Hospital at Hohemark, applying for the position London told her about.
"Anna Amery," the matronly nurse called. Erika stood and followed her into the next room.
"Tell me, Anna, why do you want to work at the hospital? I suppose you want to be around all of these good looking wounded soldiers. A young girl like you must feel very lonely with all of our men off fighting," the woman accused.
"Nein," Erika timidly responded. She did not want to appear to be a threat to the quiet hospital routine, but rather, a naïve girl, who would follow orders.
"Oh so you are the noble sort, wanting to save lives," the nurse tried again.
"Nein, I need a job, and all I know is taking care of my elderly grandparents. But they died in an air raid and I have no place to go. I thought this would be work that I could do." Erika presented her fabricated story.
The nurse raised her eyes from the papers she held in her hands, studied the young woman and smiled. Hmm an original answer, an 'honest' voice, just looking, for some good honest work, very good 'Anna'. You'll do.
"Well, Miss Amery, I believe we can use your services." She hurriedly filled out the necessary paper work. "Take these papers to the Distribution office in the basement; they will issue you two uniforms. Report back to this office at six o'clock tomorrow morning. You may go." The nurse returned to the papers on her desk.
Erika stood. "Danke," she said quietly and exited the room.
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Colonel Knefler arrived at Gestapo Headquarters early on the morning of the fifth day, and was now sitting in Hochstetter's office.
"How has our prisoner responded to your methods, Major?" Knefler asked.
"He is wearing down, Colonel. There are times when he is not seeing his surroundings, times when he stares blankly at nothing. He has escaped somewhere into the corner of his mind, but he can be called back to focus on his environment with a few well placed attention getters," Hochstetter answered.
Knefler sat quietly reviewing in his mind the information he read at Dulag. "It is a coping mechanism; his mind is seeking a rest, a place to come to terms with all that has happened, so he can process the information and maintain rational thought. From what I've read, the Colonel used this same technique during his second trip to Hohemark Hospital. This is the barrier we have to get past, if we are going to make him turn his self-control over to us. I wasn't expecting to gain that control through Gestapo methods but it would have made things easier. Doctor Becker will have to pick up the fight. Our hope is that the Colonel's weakened condition will allow us to rip that control away from him. I will see our American now," Knefler ordered.
"Very well, Corporal Schaffer is with him. Our prisoner seems to be on a hunger strike and the Major is encouraging him to eat," Hochstetter said with a snide smile, while looking at his watch. "I am just about due to relieve him."
As they approached Hogan's cell, a flustered and disgruntled German interrogator was just exiting, followed by the Gestapo doctor, the doctor's assistant, Strasser, and three guards.
The Corporal snapped to attention, as did his entourage, as the Oberst approached.
"Heil Hitler," Schaffer sounded off.
Knefler did a quick wave of his hand and responded in turn.
"This is quite a parade you have behind you, Corporal," Knefler observed.
"Yes sir." He glanced over his shoulder at the doctor and the equipment the doctor's assistant was carrying. "I'm afraid we had to…force some nourishment into our prisoner."
Knefler's eyebrows arched, "I see," he said. A small smile slipped across his face as he shook his head back and forth in a negative gesture. It appears you're not any less stubborn, Colonel.
Knefler, Hochstetter, Schaffer, Strasser, and two of the guards went back into the cell. Sitting secured in a chair, the prisoner was leaning forward, with his head bowed, attempting to prevent the back of the chair from coming in contact with his painful back. He raised his head as he heard the group enter. Oh no, he thought. not more harassment all ready. Hogan pasted an arrogant smile on his face.
The German Oberst noted the additional cuts and bruises Hogan had acquired since he last saw him. He does look like he's been worked over these past few days. Knefler thought. His eyes don't look distant right now though. I'd say they looked defiant.
Hogan recognized Knefler, and with a gravely voice he said, "I'm afraid we've just finished breakfast, Colonel. But I'd be glad to ask the doctor to get you some." He pulled the sarcasm out from deep within. The glint was back in his eyes, as he smirked up at his captors. It's a POW's duty to harass the enemy, orders are orders
Strasser looked on with interest. Considering the struggle he put up against that feeding tube going down his throat, I'm surprised he can talk at all.
Schaffer flinched at the disrespectful remark made to the Oberst. Looking at the guards he ordered, "Untie him and get him on his feet."
Ouch! Take it easy, fellas. Hogan's body ached for sleep; any rest he had managed to catch had come in small snatches, of five or ten minute intervals, over the past forty hours. His head was pounding, his entire body ached and whatever it was they had fed him was making him nauseous. All of this combined became too much to control. He could feel his anger spreading over him like a flash fire.
The guards had no more done as they were ordered when Hogan gathered what strength he had left and, taking advantage of the only time he had been free of restraints and within striking distance of the smug Corporal, placed a well deserved right hook firmly on Schaffer's chin. The Corporal went flying backwards landing on the floor with a surprised look that quickly changed to one of anger. Hogan stumbled and managed to regain his balance and avoided joining the Corporal on the ground.
Knefler smiled and asked, "I take it breakfast was not to your liking, Colonel Hogan?"
Hogan looked like he was about to give Knefler an answer to his question, when one of the guards moved in on him and administered a clubbing across his shoulders, sending him to his knees. The other guard delivered a kick to his ribs knocking him on his already injured back, exposing his other side for the same treatment. He then found himself quickly yanked back up on his feet and on display for Schaffer.
Hogan doubled over, hugging his sides, and sank back to his knees. It was worth it! He felt satisfaction at seeing Schaffer laid out on the floor and even a little relief from the anger that had been building inside of him.
Schaffer looked up from where he sat on the floor rubbing his injured jaw and ordered, "Secure his hands!"
"You're a little late, Corporal," Hogan said through clenched teeth.
Again the guards stood him on his feet, secured his arms behind him and added their support to keep him standing.
Strasser was evaluating Hogan. This is going to buy you a lot of pain, Colonel. Where is your instinct for self-preservation? Or was this action, in fact, a reaction to that instinct?
Hochstetter stood chuckling at Corporal Schaffer's dilemma.
Knefler, after offering the Corporal a hand up, turned to Hochstetter and said, "It appears you still have some work to do, Major." You are a challenge, Colonel. I see why you were chosen. Any other man would be cowering in a corner by now.
This dressing down by the Oberst wiped the smile off of Hochstetter's face and replaced it with a scowl.
Schaffer rushed up to his prisoner and yelled, "That was a dangerous thing to do." He pulled his gun from his holster, placed it to Hogan's head, and looked him in the eyes. Hogan stared back, his eyes cold and without feeling. Finally regaining his composure, Schaffer broke the stalemate and put his gun away. Looking at Hochstetter he coolly said, "He's yours, Major. Teach him some respect."
Hochstetter accepted the challenge. "You don't seem to know when to quit, Colonel Hogan." The Gestapo Major ground his right fist into his left palm. "Let me explain it to you again." Hochstetter turned and marched out of the cell, while again calling over his shoulder, "BRING him!"
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On the afternoon of the fifth day after Hogan's transfer to Gestapo Headquarters, Kommandant Klink received a phone call from Colonel Knefler.
Klink had the phone clutched tightly in his fist as he listened to the voice on the other end of the line.
"Colonel Klink, preparations have been made at Hohemark for the prisoner. He will be taken there tomorrow morning. You will meet us there," Knefler announced.
"Very good, I wasn't sure there would be anything left of him after Major Hochstetter finished." Klink was fishing for information.
Knefler gave a short laugh. "Oh, there is something left of him. Or at least there was this morning, before he clipped Corporal Schaffer on the chin. Right now, the Major is making good use of their remaining hours together."
Klink found that added bit of information unsettling. He knew what had been going on; he just didn't know when it was happening. To know it was happening at this very moment made his skin crawl. He gave his head a quick shake as if to throw the mental picture out of his head.
"Are you still there Klink?" Knefler inquired.
"Oh, yes Major, just distracted by one of my guards for a minute," he pretended. "I will see you there tomorrow then."
"Excellent, Heil Hitler," the call ended.
Klink took the monocle out of his eye, rubbed his forehead and let his hand slide down his face and back to the desk. Five days with Hochstetter had to be a living nightmare. He sat shaking his head back and forth as he thought, I'll let Kinch know his CO is still alive, or at least he was alive as of this morning, and will be out of Hochstetter's grasp in another day. I know his men have been anxious. I could see it in their faces and their unusually quiet behavior during roll calls, as their eyes would drift to Hogan's vacant spot in the line up.
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"So what did Klink want, Kinch? Carter asked.
"He wanted to let us know that the Colonel is still alive, and only has one more day with Hochstetter," Kinch answered
"Good that means London will be getting in touch with us and we won't have to keep sitting on our….." Newkirk paused and looked at Kinch who was not joining in the relief everyone was expressing. "What's the matter, Kinch?
Kinch looked up and said, "Nothing…" he whispered and then added, "…it's just that five days with Hochstetter is a long time."
"What do you think they did to the Colonel, Kinch?" Carter asked.
"We don't want to know, Andrew, and don't ever ask the Colonel either," Louis admonished. "Some things are best forgotten."
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Hogan's wrists were released from the overhead restraints and he collapsed to the floor. Hochstetter had made his point.
The Major's guards took the American Colonel back to his cell, while he, Knefler, and Schaffer went to discuss tomorrow's move to Hohemark. Strasser entered the cell, behind the guards and watched as they deposited Hogan on the wooden frame they called a bunk.
"You may go," Strasser told the guards. "I'm going to see what I can get out of him."
The guards did as they were ordered. As the door to the cell shut, Hans walked over lifted the prisoner into a sitting position, grabbed him by his shoulders and called, "Colonel Hogan… Colonel Hogan, can you hear me?
The Gestapo are experts at taking a man to just this side of death. They know exactly how far they can go. Hans moved his right hand from Hogan's shoulder to his chin, supported the Colonel's head and tried again.
"Colonel Hogan….Hogan." He moved his right hand further up the prisoner's face, raised his eyelids and quickly looked into his eyes. Strasser reached for the flask he had in his pocket as he leaned the American back against the wall. Opening the flask he put it to Hogan's lips and poured a small amount of the brown liquid into his mouth. Hogan swallowed and coughed, opening his eyes with a groan.
The POW's eyes finally registered Strasser's presence and apprehension over came him as he pulled away with an even louder moan. Crossing his arms over his abdomen, Hogan doubled over.
Strasser grimaced. "I know, the pain must be excruciating." The German Major reached into his pocket one more time and pulled out the Syrette, a one time disposable hypodermic syringe. He quickly stabbed it into Hogan's arm and emptied it. Hogan jerked, as what had just happened registered in his mind.
"What….What did…you do?" Hogan managed to ask.
"It's ok Colonel, its just morphine, to help with the pain," Strasser reassured. I'm not so sure the other injection might not have been more humane.
Why did…?" Hogan was too weak to finish; his eyes were no longer focusing; everything became a blur.
"Colonel, listen to me, and try to remember what I'm saying. They are going to try and brainwash you. You've got to fight it. You have to find a point within yourself where you can find strength and focus on it. They can't do it without your help. You have to give up for them to get in. Do you hear me, Colonel?"
Hogan fought to understand the words coming from Strasser's mouth. Brainwash me? Fight. Don't give up. "I hear. Who are you, Strasser? What are you?" His world was beginning to darken. His peripheral vision was gone, and what was directly in front of him was visibly shrinking away. "I'm… very tired," Hogan muttered, and went limp in Strasser's arms. Han's sat on the bunk next to Hogan and held him in his arms for a moment, feeling the presence of this man he had just claimed as a partner. "That you have presence of mind to hear me at all is impressive," he muttered. Then he laid him gently on his side. What makes a man put his life on the line day in and day out, and beyond that how does he convince an entire camp to do the same?
Strasser was now squatting next to Hogan, looking into the face of the man called "Papa Bear". London was right. You're not what I expected. "I hope you have a little fight left in you, Colonel. You're going to need it. We have a job to do."
