Author's Note: This story includes intense and tragic circumstances associated with World War II. It contains racial and ethnic prejudices commonplace during the period and theater of operations. As well, some characters have vices that some persons consider morally repugnant. The author made the decision to include these elements rather than pretend they never happened, which some may find offensive or distasteful in view of modern values.
#HH#
No missions today, either dictated by London or selected by circumstance. The December 1942 winter remained mild in comparison to the northern quarters of Germany, yet snow rested in pockets. The day's temperature reached a high of thirty-six degrees Fahrenheit. Few men lingered unnecessarily in the compound despite the football game. Even the Krauts chose to keep moving along their guard courses. No one escapes in such weather.
Hogan remained ever vigilant. He was responsible for close to two hundred men that comprised the finest outfitting and embarkation point for escaping prisoners of war. To him, there was no such thing as an ordinary day. Any number of scenarios could play out but he was the master of turning defeat into victory. How long would his luck hold? No – it was more than luck. It was skill and dedication – his as well as his organization.
A staff car entered the main gate. A cursory review revealed Burkhalter. After a few moments of clever spying, Hogan learned the general's visit was of a personal nature. There was no sign of Frau Linkmeyer, but just the thought of that desperate woman trying to sink her claws into the beloved Kommandant even made Hogan shudder.
Without warning, the air raid siren blared. Guards started herding prisoners to the barracks. Hogan stood his ground. A distressed Douglas C-47 Skytrain flew overhead, one engine spewing black smoke. More commonly referred to as Gooney Birds, the cargo planes conducted many missions ranging from dropping paratroopers to ferrying supplies.
Klink snapped, "Hogan! Get under cover!"
This particular Gooney Bird suffered a continuous barrage of fire from the combined efforts of four Messerschmitt fighters. Hogan watched as two parachutes escaped the C-47 right before it blew apart unnaturally. Clearly, it transported highly volatile munitions of some type. He realized one of the parachutes disappeared. The other was descending into the woods approximately half a mile away.
Burkhalter screamed, "Klink! Get me a detail now!"
Hogan watched as the Krauts scrambled to trucks and hurriedly departed the camp with Burkhalter in the lead. Prisoners began exiting the barracks or other places of cover as the Krauts signaled all clear. Schultz, however, led the remaining guards in confining the prisoners to the barracks.
Hogan entered Barracks 2 and related his observations to his team. Speculation ran high about the C-47. What was it doing in the area? The Krauts seemed intent on finding the surviving parachutists.
LeBeau asked, "But why is Burkhalter out there?"
Hogan shrugged, "He's probably bored." Turning to Kinchloe he said, "Kinch, radio London and inform them a Gooney Bird went down in our vicinity. We'll send more information when we get it."
"Right," said Kinchloe as he descended into the tunnel.
Carter said, "Well I hope the guy made it."
Newkirk said, "The way that Burkhalter led the charge, you can bet he's hoping the same thing."
LeBeau said, "Oui, but how many made it out of that plane?"
Hogan said, "That is the question. We'll know soon enough."
There was little to do but watch and wait. At one point, Hogan was tempted to lead a team outside of the camp to do reconnaissance and rescue (if the situation allowed). With Burkhalter leading the search parties, he decided against it. The Krauts would be extra vigilant due to the general's presence. Kinchloe had little to offer after London received the report. The C-47 could have been part of any number of different missions.
After a few hours, LeBeau reported the returning trucks. Hogan took over monitoring at the sink basin periscope. The Krauts seemed exhausted from their efforts. He watched as one truck pulled in front of the Kommandant's office. Burkhalter alit from the back of the truck, which struck Hogan as atypical. Generals do not ride in the back of trucks.
Hogan said, "I think Burkhalter found someone important."
As his men clamored for details, Hogan kept watch. His view obscured with a patch of Kraut uniform. He said, "Damn, a guard is blocking my view. Kinch set up the coffeepot." The view cleared and he briefly saw a small figure wearing a blue combat airman's heavy flight gear escorted into the Kommandant's office.
The team assembled in Hogan's office and Kinch expertly set up the coffeepot. They listened intently.
#HH#
Klink cried, "Herr General!"
"At ease," Burkhalter casually said. "Fraulein, sit here by the stove. It is very cold today and you have been in the woods for a while."
Klink said, "We're not set up for frauen."
A woman said, "Of course not, so if you just send me along to Ravensbruck then I can be on my way and escape out of this God forsaken country."
Burkhalter said, "All in good time. Fraulein Hilda! Let us start the dossier."
Klink sounded defeated, "Name?"
"Maria Saunders," the woman replied.
"Rank?"
"Lieutenant Colonel," replied Saunders.
"Serial number?"
Saunders replied, "N-731626. I think that satisfies the Geneva Convention. I'd like to go home now if you please."
Burkhalter said, "You still have not answered my question. What were you doing on that plane?"
Saunders replied, "I go where they tell me. When my commanding officer orders me to grab my gear and get on the bird, that's exactly what I do."
Burkhalter said, "It is highly unusual that the 82nd Airborne Division would bring along a nurse transporting munitions inside hostile territory. Don't try to tell me you were performing flight nurse duties. That was no medical evacuation flight."
Saunders said, "They don't tell me everything. In fact, they tell me very little. They seem to think that women can't hold their tongues under investigation so they prefer to leave us in the dark. You Germans can be extremely barbaric."
Klink snapped, "We are not barbarians!"
Burkhalter said, "I think it is your General Bradley that is the barbarian. Whatever missions your team intended I believe they meant to use you as a spy. Spies are being shot."
"I am in uniform," said Saunders. "I have been an army nurse for twenty-five years. I've seen a great many things. Where were you when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor? I was at Tripler taking care of the injured and dying."
Burkhalter said, "For now, you shall remain here until we receive new orders. Klink, clear out one of the barracks for the fraulein and make sure she has plenty of wood for the stove."
#HH#
Hogan sighed, "Kinch, code a message and inform London about this Colonel Saunders. Monitor the switchboard. Burkhalter will be calling Berlin for orders."
Kinchloe barely made it into the tunnel when Schultz arrived with men from Barracks 3. Hogan trusted the incoming men from Barracks 3 but for the moment, only the immediate team knew an American woman was at Stalag 13. He had to make contact. Fortunately, his tunnel system included access to Barracks 3. He remembered the time the three women with the USO were briefly guests.
Schultz began herding the prisoners for roll call. As soon as able, Hogan recalled Kinchloe from the tunnel. The timing proved extremely inconvenient. As the men stood assembled, Hogan noticed Burkhalter was not on the field. Whatever phone call he was making, Hogan would not have details of the conversation.
Klink said, "Over here Fraulein. You will assemble with Colonel Hogan and his men for roll call."
There was the expected wolf whistles despite the lack of defining feminine features obscured by the heavy flight uniform. Hogan saw the woman and detected a hint of concern in her green eyes. She stood next to him in formation. Some of the men scrambled in a vain attempt to stand next to her but Hogan ordered them to stand fast. He said nothing as Kinchloe took the prized spot.
Klink bellowed, "Report!"
Schultz dutifully replied, "All present, Herr Kommandant."
Klink said, "Very good. Now then, I want to make certain things crystal clear. Barracks 3 is temporarily just for frauen. There will be no funny business. If I suspect any, I will put the fraulein in the Cooler for her own protection."
Hogan said, "That's positively barbaric."
Klink snapped, "I am not a barbarian!" Softening his tone, "I expect you to behave as gentlemen. If I suspect otherwise, you will pay the price. Dismissed!"
As Klink walked away, the men began crowding around the new prisoner. Hogan snapped, "Back off! You'll have to excuse the men. They've been prisoners for so long they've forgotten their manners."
"I'd like to get back inside," said Saunders. "I'm still chilled to the bone from being stuck in the woods for so long."
"Come on," said Hogan. He escorted Saunders to Barracks 3. With impunity, he entered behind her.
"That is entirely improper," said Saunders.
Hogan said, "I just need to make sure you're taken care of."
Saunders said, "You're here to interrogate me." She pulled off her flight cap and Hogan noticed her brunette hair was badly coiffed. Perhaps he was pressing too soon.
Hogan said, "We don't get women here."
Saunders said, "I don't expect I'll be here very long. They send women to Ravensbruck."
Hogan asked, "What outfit were you with?"
Saunders replied, "You won't know me until I know you know who I am."
Hogan shook his head, "That's the craziest damned thing I ever heard."
Saunders said, "Cards on the table. I know who you are. I need some kind of recognition that I can talk to you."
Hogan said, "Alright. Tell me this – were there others?"
Saunders sat down on the bench and tears streamed down her face. She said, "Only two of us made it out of the bird. Colonel O'Neil was right behind me. Then the plane exploded. He wasn't clear and he burned alive. He never had a chance. None of them did."
Hogan felt extreme remorse. He failed to consider the emotional impact of the earlier events. Despite a tough exterior from years of nursing, the woman suffered the loss of friends in a cruel manner. He had a job to do.
Hogan said, "I saw the plane explode. You were carrying munitions."
Saunders said, "Obviously. Please go."
Hogan said, "Alright but I'll be back. I'll make arrangements for my chef to bring you dinner."
"I'm not hungry," she sighed.
Hogan said, "After a few days of black bread and thin soup, you will be."
Leaving the barracks, Hogan's team greeted him. He asked LeBeau to prepare dinner for the new guest. He shook his head, disturbed by what the nurse said. You won't know me until I know you know who I am. Cards on the table. I know who you are. I need some kind of recognition that I can talk to you. That suggested she was an operative of some type. He understood caution.
Schultz excitedly approached the group and ordered the men to disperse. Then he said, "Oh Colonel Hogan, the Kommandant would like to see you."
"Right," said Hogan. Klink was an open book. Hogan expected instructions on the treatment of the new prisoner. It would only be for a few days. He knew he could not allow the Krauts to take her to Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. Undoubtedly, there was a small section for female Allied prisoners of war but Burkhalter implied he suspected her of espionage. At that camp, life was cheap and even Allied personnel suffered the executioner's pleasure. He needed an escape plan.
As he entered the office, Hogan observed Burkhalter casually smoking one of Klink's cigars. He said, "You sent for me Kommandant?"
Klink said, "I understand you talked to the fraulein."
Hogan said, "Just making sure she's okay."
Burkhalter said, "Good. She will be here for the duration of the war. I have Klink's assurances his men will not cause certain problems. I need yours."
Hogan said, "I thought she was just going to be here for a few days."
Burkhalter smiled, "Berlin agrees this is the best place for her. This isn't the first time she's been captured. Last time, she walked out of Ravensbruck in a stolen aufseherin uniform."
Klink said, "No one escapes from Stalag 13."
"Precisely," said Burkhalter. "Article 3 of the Geneva Convention specifically states that frauen shall be treated with all consideration due to their sex."
Hogan said, "It also states that prisoners of war are entitled to respect for their persons and honor."
Klink said, "I am tough but I am fair."
Burkhalter asked, "Do I have your assurances?"
Hogan said, "Of course."
"Good," said Burkhalter. "We have notified the appropriate authorities of her capture. Do you have any questions?"
Hogan dared, "I suppose it's just a coincidence you happened to be here when an unarmed cargo plane was shot down."
Burkhalter said, "Unarmed? I suggest you talk to the fraulein. That cargo plane had fighter escorts – all shot down by the Luftwaffe. Ah, but you did talk to her! My presence is merely coincidence. My sister plans on visiting."
Hogan watched as Klink shuddered. Hogan did not believe the cover story. Burkhalter personally took charge of the search teams. Even if the general knew of a mission, how could he know where the plane would be shot down? Was it mere luck or fortunate intelligence? Was the plane scheduled to land in the area? Such questions he could not ask the general.
"I rather enjoy your sister's visits," said Hogan.
Klink snapped, "Dismissed!"
Too many unanswered questions. As Hogan returned to Barracks 2, he noticed a guard nailing a sign on Barracks 3 that read nur für Frauen. He had to get the orders rescinded. Having to look after a woman would cause problems with his operation coupled with the reality that a POW camp was not suitable for a woman.
As he entered the barracks, Kinchloe had an expectant look on his face. Hogan sat at the table and said, "Spill it."
Kinchloe replied, "Message from London but it's for Monster Grimm. They want a report and mission status."
Hogan asked, "Did they give you any sort of recognition code?"
"None," said Kinchloe.
"Bloody hell," said Newkirk. "Do you suppose they mean the bird?"
Hogan said, "It's difficult to be sure. She's extremely closed mouthed."
Carter excitedly said, "She must be an operative!"
Hogan said, "Keep it down. It gets worse. Burkhalter just happened to be here when that Gooney Bird went down. He personally led the search teams that resulted in her capture. Now he's arranged it with Berlin that she is detained here instead of moved to Ravensbruck."
Kinchloe said, "Sounds like someone finked."
Hogan looked around the room and said, "That's why he's a staff sergeant! LeBeau, how's dinner coming along?"
"The pot au feu is ready," said LeBeau.
"Let's go," said Hogan. As LeBeau started toward the door Hogan said, "Tunnel."
Newkirk said, "She'll see where the entrance is."
Hogan said, "That's right."
It was simple enough to make way through the tunnel to the neighboring barracks. As Hogan came up through the floor, he saw Saunders brushing her hair. She had taken off her flight gear revealing a flight nurse uniform with the 82nd Airborne insignia sewn on the left arm. The grey-blue waist length jacket matched the trousers, complimented by the light blue blouse. Despite the attire, it was evident she was a she.
"I expect this will not be a habit," said Saunders.
Hogan said, "Commanding officer's discretion." He watched her reaction as the team began ascending from the tunnel. He said, "Dinner is served."
Saunders said, "Thank you."
"Cards on the table," said Hogan. "I'm looking for Monster Grimm."
Saunders said, "I'm impressed, Papa Bear. You're here to debrief me."
LeBeau said, "You must be hungry. The pot au feu is fresh and I brought an amusing little wine." Carter helped LeBeau set the table as the others sat.
Hogan said, "I've got some news for you. General Burkhalter arranged it with Berlin that you will stay at Stalag 13."
Saunders asked, "Really? Was it the general?"
Hogan said, "I had nothing to do with it. This is no place for a woman. Now the fact remains that Burkhalter happened to be here at the time your Gooney came under attack. It's an interesting coincidence. What was your mission?"
Saunders said, "We were carrying a shipment of thermite explosives. Our orders were to take out the artillery division in Dusseldorf. Once we entered this region, an enemy squadron immediately ambushed us. We tried to evade them but there were too many."
Hogan asked, "Didn't you have an escort?"
Saunders replied, "Just two fighters. London wanted to keep it low key. They managed to take out more than half the squadron. They tried to buy us escape time. Our bird couldn't make it. They took out one of the engines. Colonel O'Neil ordered the evacuation. The thermite started detonating. We were closest to the drop door. The others tried to make it. Colonel O'Neil pushed me out. Then he jumped. The thermite blew."
Carter said, "Wow. That's dangerous stuff. When it blows it tosses out all kinds of iron…"
"That's enough Carter," said Hogan.
"That's no way for a hero to die," said Saunders.
Hogan gently asked, "What happened next?"
Saunders replied, "I got stuck in a tree. I'm not like the guys. They train repeatedly how to paratroop but I'm a nurse. I cut the cords and tried hiding. I managed to dodge them for a while but there were so many of them! Do you understand?"
Hogan said, "Someone sold out your team. What was your role?"
Saunders replied, "Oh, they do take me along for my medical skills. We were supposed to meet an Underground unit. I'm fluent in German, you see, and I was supposed to dress up as a civilian. Colonel O'Neil intended to use a ruse like my car broke down to distract the guards."
Hogan asked, "Are you a Baker Street Irregular?"
"Hardly," said Saunders. "Airborne doesn't play nice with other units. General Bradley prefers direct control of covert operations. He doesn't trust the Special Operations Executive."
"Why this time?"
She replied, "Even he must follow orders. It's obvious that someone sold us out to the Krauts. I'm sure he's ranting and raving in London right now."
Hogan said, "We've got to find the traitor."
Kinchloe said, "Damn straight, Colonel." Several heads turned to him. He added, "We all know the score. Those men didn't even have a fighting chance."
Hogan said, "Someone's got to say it so it may as well be me. We work with the Underground. We need to make sure it wasn't someone in country."
Saunders said, "You prefer a traitor back in London."
Hogan snapped, "I prefer no traitors.
Newkirk said, "We'll figure this out."
"Oui," said LeBeau.
The seemingly innocent comments calmed the two officers. Hogan did not intend to create an antagonistic situation. He tried to figure out the strange woman dumped in his camp. She had fire. It made sense. Nurses usually advanced to the rank of captain and some to major. Very few made it to lieutenant colonel and that was a recent grade in the scheme of allotting nurses rank. Twenty-five years was a long time of dedication.
Carter asked, "Colonel, how'd you end up with a paratrooper division?"
Saunders replied, "I was attached to the 82nd Division at Camp Gordon in August of 1917. Shortly thereafter, 82nd deployed to Europe as part of the American Expeditionary Forces. I never imagined I'd find myself in the trenches taking care of the wounded. I traveled with them for nearly two years. I suppose General Bradley heard about me. There's apparently a story that's become part of the mythos of 82nd that talks about Nurse Molly in the trenches. He sought me out this past March. I went to Camp Claiborne and learned how to jump from planes. He wanted a woman he could trust for certain delicate operations, someone unafraid in the face of combat dangers. I guess I didn't disappoint him."
Hogan said, "It is a bit unusual."
"I'm no Mata Hari," said Saunders. "I've done my part. I've played the distraction, helped plant the dynamite, and took care of the wounded."
Kinchloe asked, "Were you in charge of this operation?"
"No," said Saunders. "I might have sufficient rank but despite my time in the Army men do not respect women in positions of authority. Rank was supposed to alleviate that problem. If I gave you an order, would you obey?"
"I see your point," said Kinchloe. "I faced similar situations – except here."
Hogan said, "We'll do what we can to get you out of here but I cannot jeopardize this operation. Speaking of which – how did you know?"
Saunders said, "We were briefed on your operation. We expected to be passengers on your railroad. I'm surprised that you were left in the dark about our mission."
Hogan said, "London doesn't always tell us everything. That's all water under the bridge. What's happened has happened."
LeBeau said, "We've got work to do."
Hogan asked, "Who were you supposed to meet in Dusseldorf?"
"Code name Jack Frost," replied Saunders. "We were to meet him at a restaurant called Helmut die Gaststatte. The code phrase, 'Do you know the way to Gießen?' The response must be, 'Yes but it is not safe tonight.' He's one of the waiters."
Hogan said, "We go tomorrow. Colonel, you'll stay here. Half of Germany knows you've been captured."
"Understood," said Saunders.
Hogan asked, "Who was he expecting?"
"Colonel O'Neil," she replied. "Colonel Hogan, make it count."
"You can bet on that."