The next morning, after roll call and breakfast, Hogan checked on the men in the infirmary. He found Easley and Wilson in a discussion. They stopped talking when they noticed he was approaching.

Hogan looked at them closely, for they both looked like they were trying to hide something. "Wilson, Doc, how is everyone this morning?"

Wilson answered, "Very good, Colonel. It's actually surprising how the right foods and rest help them get back into shape."

Easley added, "There are bound to be issues we can't deal with, these men have been through a terrible ordeal."

"Good, very good," Hogan replied. "But why did it look like you two were arguing?"

"Because we were," Wilson answered. "Easley – who prefers I don't call him Doctor, since we don't have one – insists that I am in charge. I believe he should be in charge."

"Colonel," Easley retorted, "I have no problem making the diagnosis and prescribing treatment. But Wilson knows these men, knows what works and what doesn't. He has a rapport even with the men not from here. Besides, I can't be in charge if one of the Germans ask."

Hogan looked at Joe Wilson and smiled. "He's right, Joe. You're the face of the medics here at the camp. How would explain a change?"

"I understand," replied Wilson, his head shaking slowly, "It just seems unnatural for a medic to be in charge over a Doctor."

Hogan actually laughed. "Joe, since when is anything we do natural?"

###

Hogan met with Kinch and Carter in the tunnel, along with Hendershot and Green. They had spent the last evening and morning going over the various activities and capabilities of the crew.

"Colonel!" Hendershot began, "I must say, I didn't really believe everything that London told us before we got here. It all seemed too fantastic. But they didn't even have half of it!"

Green added, "We came here to help, mainly to teach, since we're language experts. But you have many almost natural German speakers. How did you manage it?"

Hogan smiled, "When you teach, you have six or seven hours maybe five days a week. We have sixteen hours seven days a week. Plus, the added ability to hear real Germans speaking the language. Oh, and don't forget, the final exam is life or death."

Hendershot stood there with his mouth open. Finally, with a shake of his head he asked, "But all of it, the presses, machine shops, uniforms, labs, how in the bloody hell did you manage it?"

Green stood next to him, his head bobbing up and down in agreeance.

Behind Hogan, Kinch and Carter were muffling snickers into their hands, trying desperately not to laugh.

"Two plus years, over two thousand guys, each with their own individual talents, unlimited time on our hands, and a desire to make a difference," Hogan answered.

"Well, we came here hoping to help, but now I wonder what, if any, assistance we might be?" Hendershot asked.

Green was still bobbing his head up and down.

Hogan smiled even more. "The first thing I want the four of you experts to do is join the German Army."

"What the-! I-I mean, you want what?" Hendershot stumbled out.

Green had quit bobbing his head, and his mouth was in serious danger of picking dust up off the floor.

"Simple," the Colonel explained, "You're going to come in with a group of soldiers and take over Stalag 13."

Hendershot looked at the Colonel, looked at Green, looked over the shoulder of Hogan to the two men standing behind him, eyes wide. "Is he bloody serious?"

Kinch was smiling, "Don't bet against it."

Carter was nodding his head. "Oh boy, this is going to be a good one! Are we starting now Colonel? I'm all set, I've got some beauties!"

"Relax, Carter," Hogan replied. "With any luck, there won't be even a sneeze. Now, here's what we're going to do."

###

Six hours and two roll calls later, Hogan was in Klink's office, discussing the prisoner transfer.

"Hogan," Klink began, "We shouldn't have had to add all those new men. It seriously compromises our ability to guard the men. We have received no more guards. I don't know where I'm going to come up with the Reichsmarks to pay for increasing the barracks. I tried to not take the men, but Burkhalter threatened me with the Russian Front."

"Actually, Kommandant," Hogan replied, "I believe those men are better off here under your command than they were before, if all the stories I've heard are true."

"They probably are, Hogan," Klink replied, his heading hanging down. "We have not covered ourselves with glory on how we've treated our prisoners. I know you have heard the stories. Other camps, even Oflags, and Stalags, have done terrible things. Some of the work camps are even worse."

"I know, Colonel Klink, I know. That and the fear it might happen in others, that it might happen here, can't be allowed to happen."

"But what can I do, Hogan? I've been a loyal German officer. I can't disobey an order from Burkhalter. He would have me shot, or transferred!"

Schultz opened the Kommandant's office door. "Herr Kommandant, Herr Kommandant, there is a convoy of trucks arriving."

"We aren't due any supplies today. What do they want, Schultz?" Klink asked.

"I do not know, Herr Kommandant, they are Army trucks."

"Probably here to take their prisoners back, now that we're getting them healthy," Hogan quipped.

"Not now, Hogan," said Klink.

There was a knock on the office door and Hilda popped her head in, "Herr Kommandant, a Major Henderschott to see you."

"Yes, yes, send him in," said Klink.

The man who entered was in a full Heer (Army) uniform. His chest was adorned in medals, and he had on the Order of the German Cross in Gold (For Bravery), which was three steps higher than the Iron Cross.

"Herr Oberst, I am Major Henderschott, of the 3rd Army." (1)

"Welcome, Major, welcome to Stalag 13. What can we do for you today? Would you like some schnapps?"

"I am afraid you misunderstand me – I am here under orders."

Klink Looked up at him, "Orders, what orders? Stalag 13 is a Luft Stalag. What would the Heer want with us?"

"Colonel Klink, the Heer are taking over this camp, effective immediately."

"I told you they would want their prisoners back," Hogan said.

"Impossible. Stalag 13 is under the control of the Luftwaffe. I report to General Burkhalter and he has given no such orders."

"Sir, my orders come from Generalleutnant Gimmler, this camp now has a large percentage of army troops and will be under Army command."

"We will see about this." Raising his voice, Klink said, "Fraulein Hilda!"

After only a moment, the office door opened. "Yes, Herr Kommandant?"

"Get me General Burkhalter, he'll straighten this out."

"Herr Oberst, is it normal for you to have a prisoner in your office?"

"Major Henderschott, this is Colonel Hogan, senior Prisoner of War."

"Nice to meet you, Major. I would recommend you look for a slightly less full camp – the overhead costs here will eat you up," Hogan said.

"I hope you keep that sense of humor after we have taken over. I have found that all of the prisoners tend to lose the ability to smile after a while. Maybe we can put you to a test and see how long you can keep it up?" the major replied. "And this?" he asked as he pointed at Sergeant Schultz.

"That is Sergeant Schultz, Sergeant of the Guard."

"Herr Major, I am ready to help you, however I can." Schultz straightened to an almost military bearing.

"If this is an example of your best guard, what are the others like?" the Major asked, his tone snide.

"Major, we are a POW camp, we do not get the best soldiers, my men are old or otherwise unfit for frontline duty. We still have managed to be the best Prisoner of War Camp in all of Germany. We have never had a successful escape."

Hilda opened the door back up, "I'm sorry Kommandant, but the General is not in his office. I do have a call from a General Gimmler."

Klink swallowed, then reached for his phone. "Colonel Klink speaking… Yes, General… Yes, General… Of course, General… Right away, General… Oh, yes, Heil Hitler."

Major Henderschott walked over to the decanter that stored the Kommandant's best brandy. He poured himself a small glass, recapped the bottle, and in a swift move, drank the contents of the glass down. "Now Colonel, we aren't going to have any more problems between us, are we?"

"No sir, I mean no, Major. What do you need?"

"Good, my men are trained guards, I have 40 with me, and more are set to arrive shortly. We will start by replacing your guards. They will be given time then to organize their belongings before being reassigned." He turned to Sergeant Schultz, "Sergeant, go see my Sergeant Gruner (2). Work with him to arrange the replacement of the guards. Both of you report back when it is completed."

"Jawohl, Herr Major," Schultz said. He turned and left the office.

"One more thing Colonel, I believe there are some additional guards in that small town, is that correct?"

"Yes, Major. They are the guards that brought the new prisoners here. They are awaiting orders to their new posting," Klink replied.

"Well, this will be their new posting. Please arrange to have them brought back to the camp immediately."

"I protest-!" Hogan started.

"You will not protest, now or anytime in the future. You are only allowed to speak to me because at the moment, you are the senior POW. It can easily be arranged so that someone else becomes the senior officer!"

Klink actually spoke up, "Major, that is not allowed by the Geneva convention. If the protecting powers…"

"There are no protecting powers, Klink! Look around you, the whole world is at war. Are you afraid of the reprisals of Switzerland? We must show the allies it is too expensive to attack the Fatherland!"

Klink looked down, then over to Hogan, half expecting him to say something. But for once he was quiet.

Henderschott looked to Klink, "Colonel, will you make the call for those troops?"

"Yes, Major, of course." And Klink quickly called the hotel where the men had been staying. It only took a moment for the Kommandant to arrange for the men to travel back to Stalag 13. When he put down the phone, he again looked toward Hogan, who for once had nothing smart to say. Klink could think of nothing either. He wished Burkhalter was here, but he had seen the general give in to other command before. What would be the difference here?

All three of them stood in silence. The moment was only broken when Schultz, followed by Gruner, entered the office.

"Herr Kommandant," Schultz started, "our guards have been relieved and the army guards have taken their place."

Major Henderschott turned to Gruner, "Is everyone disarmed?"

"Yes sir, the good sergeant here even told me he never loads his rifle."

"Good," Henderschott said. And then he turned toward Klink and pulled out his pistol. "Kommandant Klink, for you the war is over."

"W-what is this? Is this a joke? Ha ha, I'm laughing. We have done everything you asked!" Klink choked out.

Hogan made his first comment in a long time. "I'm sorry, Kommandant. What he's saying is true. This is Major Hendershot of the First Royal Commandos. He has, or we have, taken over the camp."

"Hogan, that is ridiculous! Prisoners can't take over prison camps, you must wait until you're either liberated or repatriated."

"I'm sorry, Colonel Klink, I wanted to see how easy it would be for a definitely unfriendly element to take over the camp, and see how dangerous it would be for my men. I think we've seen that."

Klink was incredulous, "But why, Colonel Hogan? You have been safe here!"

"We have, Kommandant, because of you, and Sergeant Schultz. You're both good men. But we all know that Germany has very few good men left. The war is getting closer, gentlemen. The Allies have entered into Germany now (3). It won't be long until Hitler's Final Solution is taken to all the prison camps, and not just the concentration camps. As the war comes to a close, this is the route many of the rats will take to leave Germany. We can't have that. To that end, I will work to control this part of southern Germany."

"But Hogan," Klink said, "You're a prisoner of war. You're not allowed to act like this. You've quoted the Geneva Convention enough times for me to know it by heart."

"I'm sorry Colonel, but we both know I've never been a simple prisoner."

"I-I've thought-! I mean you can't…! No, it's not possible!" Klink stumbled with his words.

"Colonel Klink," Hogan added, "another reason I did it this was to minimize the chance of anyone getting hurt. On both sides. The end is too close for your innocent guards or my men to be hurt now."

"Well, that obviously worked. But it can't for long," Klink snapped. "As soon as anyone sees Americans roaming around, or the lack of Germans in their normal positions, word will get out."

"That's why the Germans are going to stay in charge. Only it will be my Germans, or what I can get to pass as Germans, in German uniform, speaking German. No one will know."

"But those army guards, they will know." Klink had a slight question in his voice, like he doubted his own statement.

"That is a little early Christmas present. You see, they have something to answer for about their treatment of the Camp 20B men. I couldn't let that go without holding them accountable."

"Are you going to be a judge and jury now, Hogan?" Klink asked.

"No Colonel, that will be someone else's responsibility. My job was to find them, or in this case, keep them here, until the right people can be their judge and jury. I want you to know this however. I will demand any and all prisoners are kept at least as well as you have tried to do for us. I will make you that promise."

"How can I trust you, Hogan? You have as well as admitted you were a lot more than a prisoner here."

"Colonel Wilhelm Klink, you have worked to provide safety for both your men and the prisoners under your watch. Often at personal peril. You have not had the atrocities that we both know have gone on at other camps. I will promise you that I will do everything in my power to provide the same level of safety and security for everyone until the time comes when we are liberated."

"I have no choice – you have taken over the camp."

Schultz spoke for the first time, "Herr Kommandant, I think you can trust him. I have seen what his men think of him and only a great leader can get that kind of loyalty. Not that you aren't a great leader, you are, but he was leader of men that were prisoners, defeated, but he kept them all together."

Klink started to make a retort to Schultz, but stopped himself. He knew in his heart how strong the loyalty his men had to Hogan was. He'd seen it too many times. He's been a victim of it and been saved by it. He looked at Schultz, and saw not the dummkopf, but the veteran of two wars. He looked at Hogan and saw the military man he knew deep down, he wasn't.

"Colonel Hogan, on the condition you treat my men well, I surrender."

(1) Oberst = Colonel

(2) Gruner = Green, sorry I don't know how to make the 2 little dots that are supposed to go above the "U".

(3) 19-20 October, German efforts to break out of the encirclement at Aachen, Germany are futile, and the troops are told to fight to the last man. They surrendered on October 21st. This will be the first major German town taken.