Hi, my dear readers,
Sorry for the delated update, but some idiots down the main street ripped the telephone- and web-cable while excavating a way to the broken water pipe last Thursday. Well, the water pipe began to work a few hours later, but the cable was repaired / replaced only a few hours ago, and even now we've problems with the phone and web. So I hope this chapter loads up without problems.
Thank you so much for the BIG feedback you left for the last chapter. I'm glad that you liked it so much and that it seemed to give you some fun despite the depressing situation around us all.
Like I said in the little epilogue of the last chapter, in this one Burkhalter confronts Hogan and Schultz about Robert's 'help' in the office. Of course, the 'Sacher-cake' is beside himself, as you certainly can imagine. Yet everyone tries to find some routine in Stalag 13, what isn't easy given the chaos that still lurks everywhere. It's a more calmer chapter, but with some fluff and funny scenes, so I hope you're going to enjoy it.
Love
Yours Starflight
Chapter 88 – The struggle becomes real
Soft noises awoke Klink. For a long moment he was confused. It was quiet outside, he could feel Robert's arms around him, but someone was moving around in the bathroom behind him.
Then the memories set in, and he stiffened. One of his two 'guests' – Connor or Elison – was using the restroom and had to have seen him and Hogan lying in one bed; spooned against each other like the lovers they were. Not good. Not good at all.
Carefully he lifted his head and peeked over his shoulder at the alarm clock on the nightstand. He could see well in the twilight that fell through the open bedroom door. Half past three in the morning – still a few hours to go until the daily routine started for everyone but him.
He heard how the bathroom door was unlocked and lay back down while pretending to be asleep. 'Innocence of sleep'…it would do as an excuse – especially when he and Hogan gave a little performance in the morning.
He listened to the soft limping steps that passed by the bed and vanished. Shortly afterwards, the light in the living room was switched off, and quietness returned to the quarters.
Finally relaxing, Wilhelm closed his eyes and smiled as he laced his fingers with Robert's. He was back in Morpheus' realm within a few minutes.
*** HH ***
"Can you imagine that?" Elison whispered, while looking at his godson and superior officer. "They share a bed and…"
"Burkhalter technically kicked Colonel Hogan out of his field bed and took it for himself," Ryan murmured. "They had a heated discussion, but the Kraut insisted that he got the makeshift bed, sleep in the Kommandantur, and left it for Hogan to take care of Klink and sleep here."
"In one and the same bed," Bryan deadpanned. "Don't you think that's odd?"
Connor shrugged. "Okay, Hogan was ought to take the sofa, but it's anything but large enough for him – Len complained about it during this afternoon, too – and if Klink allowed him to share the bed with hi…"
"Really, Robert, I know that you Americans are rather lax with many things, but this is anything but proper!" Klink's scandalized voice sounded from the bedroom.
"Hey, what shall Maria think if she learns that I…mistook you for her?" Hogan's voice answered indignantly. "It's not as if I wanted to snuggle against you. This bed is rather small and…"
"It's big enough, but who thought that you're so…clingily?"
"What? I beg your pardon, but you were snuggled up against me!"
"I'm injured, get the whole cold draft from the window, and I certainly only sought out some warmth. And you spooned against me."
"So what? I always sleep on the right side and fate dictated that you lay there. How shall I know in sleep whom I'm spooning?"
"Call me insensible one more time, my friend, and I'll rub this beneath your nose for the rest of the war."
The voices became more hushed, and Connor grinned at Elison. "Any further questions?"
The staff sergeant sighed and shook his head with something close to amusement. "I only imagine what would have happened had the general seen them."
Ryan began to chuckle. "Better not – or one of our surgeons would have to offer first aid."
In the sleeping room, the two lovers smirked at each other while they pretended to have a little quarrel – a perfect show that ended with Hogan announcing, "I'll go to the bathroom. Roll call is in half an hour."
He rose, listened to everything that was outside of the room, bent down, pressed a loving kiss on Will's smiling lips, and vanished into the bathroom.
*** HH ***
To say the truth, during the time Will had been in charge, roll call had been more comfortable, because it happened an hour later. Burkhalter didn't know such accommodations, and everyone had to gather in the compound to an unholy hour.
Langenscheidt stated that everyone was present, Schultz agreed, then Burkhalter released the POWs without any big words. He watched the men heading back towards their Barracks and suddenly raised his voice. "Colonel Hogan, to the office at once."
Robert frowned. Sweet Lord, it was not even seven o'clock, it was icy damp outside, he was tired, and he really could use a short break before his own duty began. Looking back at the Austrian officer, he knew that something was off. And as Burkhalter said strongly to Schultz, "You too," Hogan assumed trouble.
He and Schultz followed the general to the Kommandantur, and after they had stepped into Klink's office, the staff officer stopped at the desk. "Hogan, close the door," he ordered, and for once the colonel thought it better to obey.
"Is something the matter, sir?" he asked, shutting the door and taking his crush cap between his hands.
Burkhalter turned around, glared from Schultz to Hogan and back, bent over the desk, took some documents, and waved them through the air.
"Can one of you gentlemen explain to me how Hogan's handwriting found its way on our lists, statistics, and reports?"
Hogan and Schultz exchanged a short glance with each other. Uh-oh.
Burkhalter threw the sheets back on the desk; face flushed. "I've seen and experienced a lot during my career, and I've heard of things which sounded too unbelievingly to be true, but this here is the top of everything! The camp's senior POW officer helps the camp's current Kommandant with a desk job – and this without switching sides, but remaining loyal towards his country." He stared at Hogan. "Or have I missed something and you defected?"
Robert took a deep breath and said slowly, "No, you're right, General. I didn't defect, and I never will."
Burkhalter nodded; remembering his stupid idea by trying to win Hogan for the German side with money and sending him and Klink to London. The outcome had been a plane with an old Messerschmidt drive, an revealed spy and a lot of trouble for him in Berlin. "I thought so," he growled, before he glared at Schultz. "And yet you allowed him to do paperwork for you – paperwork that is needed for Berlin."
"Herr General…" Schultz murmured, but the staff officer didn't let him finish.
"This is insanity at best; treason if you are particular about it. I don't know what game you two are playing, but this oversteps the mark!"
"General, Schultz is no trained officer and had severe problems with this stuff," Hogan said carefully. "I offered him help, because this was the only way to keep the administration and office functional."
Bending forwards and stemming both hands on the desktop, Burkhalter fixed him. "I already assumed that. Yet the question is why are you so interested in keeping this camp working? The more chaos, the better for you and your men. It would make an attempt of escape easier and…"
"Your thoughts are wrong in this case, General," Hogan interrupted him. "This camp lays in the southern middle of Germany. There is no way that we would reach any border or our comrades at the front without getting caught – and what happens to POWs who try to flee is well-known. So we're stuck here until our boys get us out, and that's the sticking point. This camp has to function to offer us the fulfillment of our basic needs – shelter, nourishment, power, water, etc. So it's in all our interests that life in the camp works. And if…"
"These are statistics, lists, and reports, Hogan; no orders for nourishment or other supplies," Burkhalter cut in, voice sharp. "So don't tell me about the camp's function, because this stuff here is not important for it." He tipped with one finger on the documents.
"Yet the Brass in Berlin insists on it. As von Friedrichstein didn't show up after two or three days, and Schultz was left alone with the task of keeping the camp going, he had to fulfill all duties of a Kommandant. We all thought that von Friedrichstein would arrive sooner or later, and what would have happened if he found half of the paperwork not done? He would have punished Schultz, maybe sent him to the Front, and that I couldn't allow."
"Why?" Burkhalter demanded. "Why is Schultz so important for you?"
"Because he's a decent man and wouldn't stand a chance of survival at the Front," Robert said calmly, ignoring Hans's snort of protest. "I offered support to keep the camp functional, protect my men in the end, and to help Schultz."
Straightening his shape, Burkhalter fixed his small eyes on him. "That Schultz is more than friendly towards you and your men is something I observed for years now – and he already got in trouble for it. Now he even allowed you to get an insight of inner German matters, and…"
"General, please keep a sense of proportion," the colonel voiced protest. "These are lists and statistics about used supplies, items, and so on within the camp. Do you really think, I – or the Allies – are interested in how much toilette paper or soap we need? These numbers help to decide on amount and time lags of purchases. They have nothing to do with military secrets."
Albert shook his head. "Even if that's your whole reason for unusual support – which I doubt – then there is still the fact that you two broke a dozen rules and more. And I think your Brass would see it likewise, Hogan."
"My priority is the health and survival of my men within this camp – and if that means to fill a few stupid lists and statistics with numbers, then I'll do it." Robert straightened his body and firmly looked at the Austrian officer.
Burkhalter nodded. "I ask myself how far you would go to fulfill this duty."
"To the utmost," Robert said, without hesitation. Then he pointed at the documents. "I did this paperwork out of necessity, and not to support the enemy or gain any secrets, because – let's face it – statistics of basic supplies aren't very interesting for strategic decisions our Brass has to make. And I'm sure those stupid documents aren't even read by anyone in Berlin anymore."
"They are read by me, because I have not only Stalag 13 to take care of, but a dozen more Luft-Stalags," Burkhalter snapped.
"See, and therefore it's important that those lists are up to date – so that you can plan and organize everything you have to." Hogan began to smile, seeing a way to escape the noose again. "In other words, I not only helped Schultz, but also you. For the latter, I could get in trouble with the Brass in London, but I think the welfare of my men matters more in this case."
For a very long moment, Albert could only stare at the American. "Are you trying to pass this madness off to me because it's I who need these papers?"
"You said it yourself, sir; you read this stuff because you need it to organize everything for all Luft-Stalags. And with me maintaining the lists and statistics, you have current figures you can use to fulfill your own duty." He shrugged. "While my superiors are going to be mad at me for supporting you in this case, then I have to live with it, but at least I could make certain that not only the POWs in Stalag 13, but also in the other camps are well-cared for because you had all the information to make the right decisions for the living conditions and basic needs."
Burkhalter blinked. One, two, three times. "And now you expect that I say 'thank you' to you?"
"It would be nice, yes, but I don't expect it," Hogan said casually.
The general didn't know what to say. He was at a loss for words. He didn't know if this was the biggest naivety or the biggest impertinence he ever faced. For a few seconds, he could only gape at the American.
Hogan used the given chance instantly. "Am I dismissed, sir?"
Burkhalter could only nod.
Giving the general a sloppy salute and putting his crush cap back on his head, he went to the door and opened it. "By the way, maybe you should compare the statistics with the earlier one from last year. I'm not sure if I caught everything right. You Germans have such odd formulations sometimes, and it would be a shame that I did all the work only to oversee something that could give you trouble in Berlin." He vanished and left a confused, but also tense Schultz and an utterly flabbergasted Burkhalter.
The general sat down, still robbed of his voice.
"Do you want some tea, Herr General?" Schultz asked tentatively.
"Tea?" Albert croaked finally. "I need some Schnapps!"
*** HH ***
The morning went by without any trouble. Hogan had told Klink that Burkhalter found out about him doing paperwork in the Kommandantur, which made the older man groan. It was a miracle that the general hadn't arrested Hogan – or Schultz, who stopped by later. He was pale but also upset because he had gotten an ear full from Burkhalter.
"As if it would be my failure that no damn German officer was here to do this stupid desk job!" he complained. "Colonel Hogan's support was unusual, but in the end it was to every one's advantage. Sometimes the general is really an adorer of the book."
Klink, who had his own quarrels with Schultz because of the sergeant's rather lax way to obey rules, glanced at him understandingly. "Cheer up, Schultz, at least he didn't send you to the Front."
The large Bavarian sighed. "If he would send me to Coblenz, I would go on my own free will. I've heard nothing of my boy for days and…" He glanced at Hogan. "Any news from your side, Colonel?"
Robert shook his head.
Connor, who had left bed and used the restroom, looked questioningly at him. "Why the interest in Coblenz?"
"My youngest son, Max, was recruited by force and sent to the town," Schultz said quietly. "He's only fifteen."
Connor bit his lips, while Elison, who had come from the guestroom, grimaced. "Shit." He shook his head. "Sending kids into battle. The Krauts really have lost it."
Ryan glanced at Hogan. "No chance to get the boy out?"
Robert sighed. "And how shall I do it – or the Underground? The boy can be anywhere, and he isn't alone. Almost 200 teens were transferred to Coblenz. Every one of them could be it. I contacted General Patton's chief of staff, Colonel Hudson. He's informed of child-soldiers in Coblenz, and he ordered that during all battles our boys should look out for the pint-sizes in uniform. But there's no guarantee that…that accidents won't happen."
Connor looked up at the large Bavarian, whom he had known since yesterday that he was an alley and friend of Hogan's. "I'm sorry, Sergeant," he said quietly. "I have a daughter back in the US. She's seven now and…to imagine that she would be in danger would send me reeling."
Hans forced a smile on his face, but it was a sad one. "Thank you, Lt. Colonel. You're married?"
Ryan nodded and looked down on his ringless finger. "Yes, to my sweet Maureen. Regrettably, I lost our wedding band during the walk. My fingers have become much thinner, you understand?"
The fingers were not thin, they were bones with skin. Compassion rushed over Schultz's round face. "When you're back in the US, buy two new wedding bands, let the priest bless them, and celebrate it with your wife and daughter," he suggested softly. "And with your friends."
"When I survive this war and can return home, I'll celebrate a second birthday," Ryan grumbled, but he recognized the sincere sympathy of the other man and gave him a short smile. Commiseration had become rare on all sides, and it felt good to be understood and respected for once.
A knock came at the entrance, and Langenscheidt peeked in. "Ung…sirs?" he called loudly to no one in particular.
"Yes, Corporal?" Hogan and Klink said in union, making Schultz roll his eyes, and the two other Americans chuckle.
Karl stepped nearer. "Good morning, Herr Kommandant," he said to Klink and saluted, then he nodded with badly hidden kindness at Connor and Elison, gave Hogan a short smile, and finally addressed Schultz. "The Sacher cake is looking for you," he said. "The exchange of…"
"Corporal, you're speaking of a general of the Wehrmacht," Klink rebuked him, caught Langenscheidt's uncertain gaze, and began to grin. "But you're right; he certainly ate enough Sacher cake while he still lived in Vienna that it's enough for the rest of his life. His stomach at least speaks of it."
The others began to laugh, and so did Langenscheidt, who quickly turned serious again. "Hans, General Burkhalter wants an exchange of the generators this morning – and he wants it started soon."
Hogan sighed. "Let me guess; a few of my men are needed for it."
The corporal shrugged and smiled sheepishly at the senior POW officer.
"We haven't even had breakfast yet," Robert complained, but turned towards the living room. "Keep the tea warm for me," he groaned, and headed towards the entrance; Langenscheidt on his feet. "It's still too dark outside. Why does he hurry so much – after all, a few of my men could flee in the darkness when the compound is not illuminated and the electric wires are switched off."
"Didn't you hear, Colonel? General Burkhalter ordered that everyone who isn't needed for the task to be restricted to the Barracks, and…"
"What? Hundreds of our men are needed by the newcomers and sick ones. Burkhalter has to let them stay with them. Don't fret, Langenscheidt, I'll speak with him."
"He's not in the best mood, Colonel, and…"
The two voices were cut off as the entrance door closed.
Schultz looked at Klink, who grumbled. "Let's hope that General Burkhalter is needed in Berlin soon. I miss the relative peace within these wires."
"Relative peace?" Connor asked, thunderstruck.
"Ja," Schultz nodded, with a yearnful sigh. "The later roll calls, LeBeau making Strudel, Newkirk teasing me with stealing things from my pockets, here and there trouble with the poison gnome, and the Kommandant and Colonel Hogan bantering on the compound or in the Kommandantur. But every time the Sacher cake appears, then…" He stopped, eyes widening. "Joa-mei, Langenscheidt should get me, and in my place the colonel goes to the general now. This practically screams 'trouble'." Despite his weight, he whirled around, all but ran through the living room, tore the front door open, and raced outside.
"COOOOOLOOONEEEELLL HOOOOOGAAAAN! WAAAAIIIITTTT!"
Connor and Elison looked at each other. "I'm sure he could be heard all the way in Nürnberg," Ryan deadpanned, while his godfather began to chuckle.
"Baking Strudel, swiping personal stuff from the Sergeant of Guards to tease him, the senior POW officer doing mischief to distract everyone…I can't get my mind off the idea that this is no POW camp – not even on the surface."
"No?" Connor looked curiously at him.
Klink lay back in bed and pulled the comforter higher. "I know what the sergeant means. I sometimes have the same thoughts. This here is no camp, but a Kindergarten classroom."
*** HH *** HH ***
During the morning the old generator was replaced with the new one. Burkhalter agreed to Hogan's suggestions to leave two or three dozen POWs in each of the housings where the newcomers were accommodated. The others remained in the Barracks together with their new comrades.
The general watched the exchange and the compound surrounded by four guards and accompanied by Schultz.
At midday, the work was done, and the POWs were allowed back on the compound and resumed their current tasks. Those clothes which had dried were taken down from the lines, and dozens of hands tried to patch them up. Other men were busy with digging and enlarging the planned cistern or began to construct a new building for more shower rooms.
In the camp's kitchen, LeBeau and the others made soup – using scrubbed clean potato skin for it. Then the spared potato slices were added together with some vegetables and flesh. It wasn't the most delicate nourishment, but easy to stomach, and it was enough for everyone. Yet the standard of nourishment began to sink compared to what had been served in earlier times.
Hogan closed his eyes to the fact that they all would have to tighten their belts until the war was over. To say the truth, if no wonder happened, they would run out of stock within a week.
Burkhalter phoned around for new nourishment – until in the afternoon his activities stopped. Hogan came to give him an update concerning the construction of the shower rooms and report that a few sick newcomers were doing a little better (among them Evan Martins), and frowned as he saw the bulky figure bending over the desk, elbows braced up, face in hands.
"What's the matter, General?" he asked carefully. He didn't want to provoke the man after what happened this morning.
"Nürnberg happened – again. After the historical part of town was already destroyed in January," Burkhalter answered. He sounded tired – tired in soul and mind.
It was not difficult to put one and one together. "An air raid?"
"One?" The Austrian officer snorted quietly. "One is happening now, four more waves are flying towards the town as we speak." He glanced up at Hogan. "Will you Allies leave something intact within Germany, or do you want to raze the whole country?"
'A good question,' Hogan thought uncomfortably. "I don't know, sir. As I left the US and was transferred to London, the Congress decided that Hitler had to be stopped before he tumbles the whole world into war and his weapons reached the US. The latter could be prevented until now, but concerning the wish to spare the whole world a war…" He shrugged. "I heard that a lot of other countries declared war against Germany now."
"Yes, even countries which are far away and have no direct connection with us," Burkhalter scoffed, and rose slowly. "I ordered flour, vegetables, and fruit from a stock of the Red Cross near Nürnberg. You and your men should cross your fingers that the same won't happen to this nourishment like it happened to the material of the planned Barracks in Dortmund."
Hogan gritted his teeth. Yes, there was the order that the war machinery of Nazi Germany had to be destroyed. This also meant that the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS didn't get any supplies, but by destroying stocks, civilian people were also robbed of things they needed to survive – and therefore the POWs and labor workers, too.
"I'll tell my men," he said wryly.
"You'll tell them what?" Burkhalter asked, frowning.
"To stop working in the camp and cross their fingers," Robert deadpanned, saluted sloppy, and left. As he looked back while closing the door, he saw the general looking down on the desk lost in thought; not even taking the bait like he usually would.
Nodding at Hilda, Hogan stepped onto the compound and headed to Barracks 2. A talk with London was in order, because – dammit – Burkhalter was right. If the Allies didn't stop destroying everything they saw, not only the civilians would starve, but the POWs, too.
He entered the hut, nodded towards Harrison, who was slipping into his dried and patched up uniform, knocked on the higher frame of the stock bed that served in truth for the entrance to the tunnels, and climbed down the moment the 'ladder' appeared. Looking up again, he saw a flabbergasted Harrison peeking down at him, nodded, and closed the entrance the moment he reached the tunnels. He would show Harrison around later. The other newcomers, who were accommodated to Barracks 2 were 'clean' according to London, but Hogan would test them separately – later, when all new POWs were enlisted.
Kinch was at the radio and looked up.
"Some news?" Hogan asked, and the radioman shook his head.
"No, nothing from London."
"Great. They're bombing Nürnberg in a big air raid practically at our door step – 80 kilometers away and didn't warn us. They're about to burn the ordered nourishment for us. Get me Mama Bear on the line. I have a few questions."
*** HH ***
Schultz left the infirmary and grimaced as the wind hit his hands, still wet from washing them. He was glad that the condition of the ill men hadn't increased, and some were even doing better, yet it shook him to see young and healthy men like this. The nationality didn't count for him.
He was walking towards the guards' dorms as he heard Hogan calling his name. Turning around, he saw the colonel coming from Barracks 2 with a face serious.
Instantly, the large Bavarian stiffened. Hogan was mainly in his original hut when he was busy as Papa Bear, and that the Senior POW Officer headed towards him now gave him an uneasy feeling. Maybe Hogan had heard something concerning Coblenz – and Max.
Waiting for the American to reach him in the middle of the compound, out of earshot of others, he asked quietly, "Some news, Herr Hogan?"
Robert nodded. "Yes. I had to speak with London concerning different matters, and I asked them about the current status in Coblenz," he said softly. "The town is more or less surrounded by our troops. The 87th Division came from the north this morning and met with the 69th Division that's camping in the west of the town. As far as I learned from London, a few of our…'scouts' roamed the town yesterday to get an overview of the situation within the city." He sighed inwardly as he saw the almost inhumane tension Schultz went through now. "Most civilians have left, and the town is ruled by chaos. Only a few hundred soldiers are still there. To attack with full power won't be necessary," Robert finished quietly.
Schultz bit his lips. "Is that good or bad for my boy?"
"I don't know, Hans," Hogan replied sincerely. "I don't know."
*** HH***HH***
Since the 87th Division had arrived in Scotland in October 1944 and been transferred to France, they had faced dozens of battles. Fighting their way through Belgium and seizing villages around Euskirchen (west of Cologne), they had finally reached the Moselle the night prior. After several discussions between General Patton of the 69th Division and their own CO, Major General Frank L. Culin Jr., they had agreed on the strategy to conquer Coblenz.
According to a scout group under the command of Lieutenant Claus Muller, the town had as good as no defense forces anymore. Approximately 1000 members of the Waffen-SS, Wehrmacht, and Volkssturm, 'supported' by half grown boys, were no opponent to take seriously.
To put down a marker what would lay ahead for the 'defense forces' shouldn't they surrender, both divisions began with an artillery fire from afar. It was meant as a warning and a prompt to give up.
Max, Frank, and 50 other boys were lined up in the makeshift HQ, where SS-Hauptmann Glockner was giving them an intense speech about keeping up and what it meant for the country if this position could be held. Most of the teens nodded eagerly. They had grown up with knowing nothing else than the regime's crazy, sick point of views and the trash they had been fed while being in the Hitlerjugend. Only a few, like Max and Frank, faced the reality with open eyes: They stood no chance against the thousands of GIs at the town's border.
Suddenly, alert was given, and they heard the artillery fire before they could even run to the bunker. Grenades hit, and explosions filled the air.
After the first attack wave, word was given that the statue of Wilhelm I had been destroyed. Only in the evening, as the shelling was stopped, the rumors turned out to be true. The pedestal was still relatively intact, but the statue itself had been ripped apart. A large part hung down towards the Rhine River, other parts lay scattered around. It should last almost 50 years until the statue was restored again.
*** HH *** HH ***
The afternoon in Stalag 13 was filled with more medical treatments, laundry, and sewing, while others worked on the enlargement of the shower rooms. The materials for the cement had been delivered, and because the weather prognosis for the next day spoke of warmer weather and sun, the responsible constructers suggested to make the cement then. Burkhalter and Hogan agreed.
Connor left Klink's quarters for the first time since he had arrived. He still thought his arms and legs were made of lead, and even if he could wear his patched up uniform, he froze like a puppy. But these things didn't hinder him of visiting his men.
He was greeted with 'hurray' and applause from the healthy ones. The sick ones smiled at him; especially when he stopped here and there and asked them how they were doing. Evan Martins was still too weak to talk, but – like his brother told Connor – he was out of the woods. Dr. Birkhorn had him and others, who had been on the brink of death, treated with nutrient solutions via IVs, while other POWs made certain the most effected newcomers got a lot to drink, soup, and bread.
Hogan showed Connor the camp – and Barracks 2. Kinch had gotten the green light from London concerning the former POWs of Camp 64 within the hut, and so Hogan could reveal to them his secret. Connor was baffled as he glanced into the coffee pot, and while Carter watched the compound, the others showed Connor, Harrison, and the new habitants of Barracks 2 the secret entrance to the tunnel system. The men began to grin and laugh. It was simply unbelievable that Hogan and his team had a whole espionage business running from this camp – and without the Krauts knowing about it. Well, sort of. Connor and his two confidants were well aware that Hogan and his friends had almost been revealed a few times, but thanks to Klink it never came to the worst.
While Burkhalter still fought with the paperwork and listened to the radio reports concerning Nürnberg, Connor and Elison – who had made a registration list together with Schultz of the survivals of the inhumane walk – returned to their current quarters. The hours outside, even with some breaks, had tired them, and they went to bed after dinner with the general, Klink, and Hogan.
Burkhalter also bid farewell and left the quarters to return to the Kommandantur. As it seemed, he wanted to turn every stone in the office.
Hogan didn't mind the given opportunity to have some time for together with Will, and already shortly after 20:00, both men snuggled against each other beneath the comforter and blankets.
"What a day," he murmured, while he turned onto his right side towards Will.
Those dark blue eyes smiled gently at him. "I heard that you managed everything well." He sighed. "God bless the day you were brought to this camp. Not only that I met the love of my life like this, but we all would be doomed years ago had it not been for you."
Robert felt heat rising into his cheeks. "Thanks for the compliment, but it's not only me who makes the camp run smooth and keeps the darkness away from entering these wires. You, Schultz, Langenscheidt…in your own way you do the same. And my men had a part in it, too." He reached out and cupped the older man's jaw with tender fingers, brown eyes sparkling with love. "To admit the truth, without you I would have gone insane. You kept me on the tip of my toes and trained my wits, because our everlasting bantering, bickering, teasing, but staying together when necessary, gave me a sense of security – a place where I belong. I know it sounds odd, but my men, your two confidants, and yourself overcame any kind of enmity and first accepted each other, then we grew closer. It made so many things easier – even if you drove me up the wall on a regular basis," he finished with a mischievous grin.
A wide, warm, happy smile broadened on Wilhelm's face. "I'm glad that I was able to make your stay here a bit better. I can't imagine how it is to be locked up in the enemy's country, herded with too many other men, primitive shelters, anything but good food, and the constant danger of getting mistreated or killed – especially in your case given the fact who and what you are for real." He moved his head towards the younger man and placed a gentle kiss on Rob's soft lips. "And I have to return the compliment: Your presence here kept me sane."
"It did?" Hogan asked, half surprised, half teasing. "I thought I was driving you nuts."
"You were – and yet you weren't," Will answered. "You made me feel human despite my position. I don't like putting force on someone like it's necessary when leading a prisoner camp, and I hate keeping all these men here against their will."
"I know, but even if you would open the gates, the SS would get us within a few days…we'd all be done for – you included."
"Ja, without a doubt," Klink nodded. "But that's not the only thing I'm at odds with. There's so much more. All this stupid paperwork, the constant pressure from my superiors, the Gestapo, the SS…I would've gone mad had it not been for you. Not only because you turned my inner world upside-down and woke feelings in me I thought I had lost, but you were – and are – an unchanging challenge for me. And if I drove you up the wall, then you drove me even higher 'til the ceiling – and further. There were moments I would have loved to punch you…"
"Hey!" Robert pouted not seriously, yet was ignored.
"Then I wanted to kiss you senselessly – or make you squirm beneath me." Wilhelm chuckled. "Of course, nothing of those wishes were ought to become true. Punching POWs is against the Geneva Conventions…even if you deserved it here and there. And the other things…" He sighed and wrapped one long arm around the younger man's strong body. "I'm happy that they finally came true."
"Me too," Rob whispered, and leaned his forehead against Will's. "I never thought I would find true love one day – at least here in Germany. Okay, there are pretty women with charm, and they can cook very good. I liked flirting with them, to fool around, but…" He laughed quietly. "I never thought I would fall for someone on this side of the Atlantic – and above all for a male." He robbed a gentle kiss from his lover. "Yet I did fall – hard. I should thank Butler that he put me forward for the job as Papa Bear. If I hadn't agreed to this insane plan of being stuck in a POW camp and use it as a HQ for our intelligence, and had I not gone through all the training and schooling…I wouldn't have landed here – with you." He lowered his lashes before he said softly, "These three years were full of danger, thrills, ups and downs – but nothing was and will ever be so good than finding your love."
Will's eyes watered before he pulled the younger man closer to him, who weakly protested, "Your injury."
Klink simply brushed it aside with a deep, tender, breathtaking kiss Rob returned with all his heart. Both men felt heat rising in them, and it costed a lot not to give into the wakening desire. For more than three weeks they hadn't made love, and they missed it terribly. Yet none of them wanted to risk a relapse – or Connor and Elison getting the right idea about their 'sleeping arrangement'.
"I want to kiss every spot of your gorgeous body and cherish you until you're unable to have one sane thought anymore," Robert murmured. "But we have to be reasonable."
Wilhelm chuckled softly. "I know. Give me two weeks more, and maybe then our two guests will have their own quarters, and I'll be fit enough for some…sports."
Hogan grinned at him as he heard how Will referred to Connor and Elison as 'their' guests, indicating that the older man regarded his quarters as theirs now.
"I count on it," he murmured, and pulled Wilhelm's face into the crook of his throat. He felt the older man relaxing, and listening with one ear he heard nothing from the guestroom. Sighing, he closed his eyes.
Sleep found them easily, and they woke up the next morning well-rested and at peace.
*** HH *** HH ***
Peace was the last thing that crossed everyone's mind 165 km (linear distance) away from Stalag 13 and Hammelburg. The morning of Saturday, March 17th was still young, yet the whole area around Coblenz seemed to have held its breath – the foreboding of a storm made by human hand.
Max, Frank, and the others had stayed overnight in one of the hasty equipped defense stations within downtown. It was cold, drafty, they were hungry and tired. But their older comrades weren't in a better condition. Most members of the Volkssturm and Wehrmacht, even of the SS, wished to be elsewhere. At home at best. But here they were – forced to defend an already lost and wrecked town.
Insanity – it couldn't be called anything else. And then it began. During the early morning, as the sun hadn't even risen over the Rhine valley, they were there – hundreds, thousands of GIs stormed the town. They came from the town quarters of Moselweiß and Goldgrube, where the locomotive depot was located…at least what was still intact of it.
The burnt down houses along the streets offered cover for the approaching soldiers, but were also dangerous because the GIs didn't know if the enemy hid within the unclear lines of destroyed buildings.
They met the first resistance near the Financial Reichsamt only 100 meters away from the town's center. To their right – in the south – was the large main cemetery. To their left – in the north – flew the Moselle towards the Rhine. Crossing streets and many city blocks separated them from the river, yet most buildings had broken down or were uninhabitable anymore.
As the first shots rang out and answered from the approaching US soldiers, the last battle for the town began.
The recruited kids had been sent to the main crossroads between the city and Fort Konstantin. Most of them felt rising dread as they heard the heavy artillery fire, shots from rifles, and exploding grenades accompanied by explosions or thunder of breaking down houses. Shouts and screams echoed through the streets, yet the racket wasn't as bad as they had imagined.
Max, Frank, and 20 others were deployed along a bystreet as back up for 200 Wehrmacht and Volkssturm members. The rifle in Max's hand seemed to weigh 50 kilos at least and felt icy in his fingers. His heart drummed in his ears, while his stomach twisted in knots as the fighting drew nearer.
An SS-Unterscharführer (corporal) was in charge of them, and as the combat came nearer, he gave the signal to attack.
Max gulped and looked at Frank. "We stay together – and don't you dare get shot," Schultz's youngest son said, with more bravery than he felt.
"The same goes for you. We have a promise to keep to our mothers."
The two boys took a deep breath and ran down the pavement with the others.
TBC…
Yes, again I used real historical facts and mixed them with the fiction. The air-raid of Nürnberg and the beginning battle for Coblenz are real, and especially the latter will become important for Schultz' youngest son.
This will become THE topic within the next chapter, because fate will set the course for the whole Schultz-family in the end. Our 'Strudel-King' maybe shows his own kind of courage in a more gentle and almost careful way, but he also has his moments. And the same goes for Max.
I hope, you liked the new chapter, even if nothing really important happened. Okay, Klink and Hogan tried some 'theater' to cover their relationship and they had some fluffy moments with each other – especially after Burkhalter got (almost) another heart-attack. It's the calm before the storm that soon will break lose for all…
Like always, I'm looking forward to get some comments and reviews.
Stay safe and well,
Love
Yours Starflight
