RAMPS
Chapter 4
April 21, 1945
Lucky Strike, Evening.
Carter and Kinch returned to the tent and joined LeBeau and Newkirk outside for a smoke and some air. Two MPs approached the group, stopped, and motioned for their leashed guard dogs to sit. After they scanned the area, they eyed Kinch with hostility for a moment, but said nothing and then headed away from the Luft Stalag's own little corner of the Lucky Strike camp.
"Don't worry; you get used to it." Kinch had seen the astonished looks on Newkirk and LeBeau's faces.
"Doesn't make it right." Carter stubbed out his cigarette. "I heard they segregated the rest of the camp. Including officers. And the boats going out of here are also segregated," he added with disgust.
"I heard Colonel Hogan reading the riot act to some people over the phone. Just after we were liberated," Kinch said. "I guess he convinced the American military to make a few exceptions to Jim Crow. Just for us." He kicked the dirt in frustration.
The men remained silent for a few moments. There was no way to justify or explain the hypocrisy of the segregated American armed forces.
Newkirk decided to change the subject. "Hey, I hope the Schnitzers are okay. And the dogs, as well."
"Olsen said they have food saved up. He wants to stay and go back for Heidi before going home," LeBeau explained.
"Makes sense, I suppose, now they're engaged."
"Ah. L'amour." LeBeau laughed. "I do miss the dogs."
"Me too. I'm going in. I'm looking forward to sleeping on a real mattress." Kinch opened the tent flap and Carter and Newkirk followed. "Are you coming, Louis?"
"I'll be right there." It was hard for LeBeau to believe he was in France; being at an American base was surreal. He continued to dwell on the damage to his country. What he had seen of the coastline and the interior was unrecognizable and just thinking about it made his stomach cramp from nerves. He suddenly started as a guard dog barked.
Luft Stalag 13
March 20, 1945
"Down. I know. I love you too, but you need to stop." LeBeau's face was being licked by Heidi, the friskiest of the guard dogs. Standing on its hind legs, the dog was as tall as the corporal. "If you get down, I'll give you a treat." The dog quickly sat and wagged its tail. "Here." LeBeau reached into his pockets and tossed some treats to the shepherd. "Wait." He quickly flung himself down to avoid a search light and popped back up. The sudden movement made him dizzy and he was forced to grab hold of the dog for support. She whined. "Merde. Je sais." He patted the dog's head. "We're all getting sick. But not you if I can help it." He gave the animal another pat and disappeared into the tunnel.
"I'm worried about the dogs," he told Kinch.
Kinch tweaked a dial on the radio. "Never mind the dogs. You don't look so good. Go see Wilson or I'll tell the colonel."
"Tomorrow," LeBeau promised. "And don't bother him. When is Schnitzer due back?"
"Two days. I hope," Kinch replied. "You're right, Louis. We need a plan. Before the Germans shoot them, or the Americans do."
Oscar had the same thing on his mind when he showed up in camp two days later. By now, the prisoners were openly speaking with the vet. Either the guards did not notice or they just did not care.
"This is for Olsen." He handed a letter to Newkirk, who smelled it.
"Lovely." Newkirk took the vet aside. "We wanted to discuss the dog situation with you."
Oscar nodded. "Good. I wish to discuss it as well." After checking the dogs in the pen, he climbed down into the tunnels through the doghouse. The vet smiled as he saw Hogan coming over to meet him.
"Here's the thing, Oscar. "We're in a proper jam,"
The colonel told Oscar after they shook hands.
Hogan and the vet took a seat at the table in the common room. "As long as we're still POWs, they'll keep the dogs, but then we'll get to the point that it will become too dangerous for you to come get them. And," he continued, "I doubt Klink will fight for the camp, but we can't take that chance." The colonel stifled a cough and took a sip of some hot broth.
Oscar looked down. "And then the Germans or Americans will shoot them."
"We won't let that happen," Hogan reassured the vet. "We'll sneak them below if we have to. Can you start removing them one at a time without replacing them? At least get a few out."
"Yes," Oscar agreed. "I'll take one tonight and one or two each week until it's over."
"We'll keep you posted." Hogan walked the vet to the door. "Hopefully, we will have some good news and you'll be able to pick them up."
A soft knock on his office door startled the Kommandant, causing him to knock over his trashcan, spilling ashes all over the floor. Cursing to himself, he grabbed hold of the edge of the desk for support and rose to his feet.
"Enter," he stated, as he used his foot to try to sweep some of the ashes under his desk. It did not work. He turned and to his surprise, it was not the aide at the desk who crossed the threshold, but Hogan.
"Sorry, sir. Your aide is otherwise engaged. I saw myself in." Hogan stared down at the floor for a moment. He wisely decided to keep his mouth shut and not make a snarky comment about how Klink was obviously burning documents.
"Have a seat, Hogan." Klink walked around to his chair and sat. He pointed to the chair in front of his desk. "What can I do for you?"
Neither man was in the best of health at the moment. But Klink, who was quite a few years older than the American, was shocked at Hogan's appearance. The colonel's complexion was pallid, and his shirt was hanging off his frame. His hair was thinning and showing flecks of gray; this was not surprising. However, what shocked him more than anything were Hogan's eyes. They were sunken, and no longer had that annoying twinkle and look of intelligence that continued to shake Klink's self-confidence and deflate his ego.
Hogan realized this conversation had to be handled delicately. While the guards noticed the vet conversing with the prisoners, the Kommandant thus far was oblivious to this fact. Of course, Hogan and Oscar would come up with an excuse if it caused an issue—and Klink and the guards still thought the dogs were killers, at least when it came to controlling the prisoners.
Hogan bent forward and placed his arms on the desk. "You and I both love animals. One thing we have in common."
Klink nodded. "Of course. You know the Führer also..."
"Do not mention him." Hogan's eyes flashed in anger.
Klink swallowed. "I do love animals."
"Good." Hogan sat back in his chair. "You may find this surprising, but I'd like to talk about the guard dogs."
Klink tilted his head in surprise, reminding Hogan of Wolfgang. He stifled a chuckle.
"I confess that is not what I expected to hear. What about them?" Klink asked.
"I've been dealing with dogs all my life. We all know the guard dogs here are killers and quite frightening. But, that's their training. Not their fault. I've seen some of the guards caring for them-when the dogs aren't on duty. The vet, Schuler, Siegfried..."
"Schnitzer," Klink interrupted.
"Schnitzer," Hogan repeated. "I don't know how he is away from camp, but I've watched him from a safe distance when he goes in the pen. He treats them like his children."
"I have noticed that as well. What is your point?" Klink asked.
We don't want to see anything bad happen to them. Being shot, or...well...you know."
"That is very generous of you and your men, Hogan. I have been informed that the vet will be removing them from camp, maybe two at a time. But some have to stay here to guard you and your men." Although considering the conditions, Klink thought, I doubt we will have any issues.
"Don't release them into the woods, sir. When it comes to it, I hope they can be rehabilitated."
"This is a very unusual conversation, Hogan. I cannot promise anything, but I will see what I can do."
Hogan nodded. "Permission to return my barracks?"
"Granted." Klink noticed that the colonel did not offer a smart quip, nor a snippy comment.
"Thank you, sir." Hogan got up slowly and left the office, leaving Klink shaking his head in disbelief.
Hogan returned to the barracks and sat at the common room table. The men paused what they were doing and waited for a report.
"I think I got the point across," Hogan stated.
It was actually Garth, one of the quietest men in the room, who had the courage to say what everyone else was thinking. It was horrible to contemplate, although they all knew this was happening all over Europe. Not just to dogs, but cats, horses and other pets.
"People are starving, sir," Garth stated. "Can't blame them really." He ignored LeBeau's glare. "Not that I want anything like that to happen to our dogs." He cleared his throat. "They're, well...I guess they're family?"
You could hear a pin drop as multiple sets of eyes looked at Hogan for a response.
Hogan often thought about the abuse of animals during wartime. It was just another horror on top of all the other horrors. "We will do everything in our power to make sure anyone who helped our operation stays safe, and that includes the dogs." After a satisfied response from the men in the barracks, Hogan left the common room and went to bed.
Several dogs were removed from camp over the next few weeks. Soon, it became too dangerous for Schnitzer to return, and the guards were left caring for the dogs, which basically meant throwing inedible food scraps into the pen. Klink kept to his word and did not release any into the woods. The prisoners sneaked in now and then to spend quality time with the stressed out animals as they all waited for the end.
The dogs, like the prisoners, were finally liberated. After Hogan spoke with the commanding officer of the battalion that liberated the camp, he made clear that the animals were part of the secret operation. When the area around Hamelburg was completely secure, Schnitzer returned to camp to pick up the dogs and officially ended his underground service; somehow, the dogs understood they were leaving and they became rambunctious and excited. It took Schnitzer and help from LeBeau and Olsen to load them into the truck.
"We'll be in touch, Oscar." Hogan held out his hand, which the vet shook. There was no need to speak more words. The two men knew what they had meant to each other and being men, they held their emotions in check.
"You take care of yourself, Robert. And see a doctor."
"Give my best to Greta and Heidi, and your father, as well," Hogan replied.
"I'll do that."
Hogan and LeBeau stepped back as they saw Olsen coming forward. The sergeant and vet exchanged a few quiet words; then embraced quickly. And with that, the vet and the dogs were gone.
LeBeau vowed to rescue a homeless dog when he got home, and then returned to the tent.