Chapter 6: The Men in Tights

There were too many strange things occurring and it bothered Hogan. He casually watched the friendly card game in the barracks. LeBeau was away preparing dinner, which typically involved Schultz supervising the operation. London gave him some latitude but knowledge was power. London just used a series of codes that Hogan lacked. While the messages were for him, he could only understand them by making inquiry of the newcomer.

Newkirk said, "That's a neat trick seeing how I tossed the king of diamonds."

"Diamonds are a girl's best friend," said Saunders. "Did you pick up the ace of spades that I tossed?"

Hogan took a keen interest in the exchange. While Saunders won the hand, Newkirk chuckled and indeed had the ace of spades. He asked, "Where'd you learn to play?"

"When playing poker, watch the cards not the girl," said Saunders. "General Brody had a card sharp teach me a few things. He thought it might come in handy. Now that you know, I expect that you'll cream me in the next round."

Carter said, "But I just lost ten bucks!"

"Here," said Saunders. "Innocent victims shouldn't pay."

"You sure are swell," said Carter.

Hogan snapped, "Cheat the Krauts all you want but not my men."

Saunders playfully said, "Let's play Old Maid."

Olsen turned from the window and said, "Colonel, we've got company."

Hogan peered out the window and said, "It's our friendly neighborhood Gestapo. I wonder what they want. Where's Hochstetter?" Not recognizing the men in the Gestapo detail set the hair on his neck to stand.

The coffee pot proved a vital asset as long as the men did not use it to make coffee. Fortunately, Kinchloe managed to procure other coffee pots. There were times they needed the amplifier but it malfunctioned from coffee grounds. It was the cause of disputes in French between LeBeau and Kinchloe. The resourcefulness of the sergeant appeased the corporal.

As the men listened, Hogan continued to feel stress. The new arrivals were not local Gestapo. They came from Furstenberg, intent on interrogating Saunders and possibly transferring her to the custody of the SS at Ravensbruck. Klink held firm concerning Burkhalter's orders.

Kinchloe said, "There is something odd about their speech pattern."

Hogan said, "It sounds like Low German to me."

"That's correct for our neck of the woods," said Kinchloe. "Folks in the Berlin region tend to speak Central German."

Hogan said, "Doesn't mean a thing. Klink speaks that High Prussian dialect."

Kinchloe said, "Oh, they're good, but I don't think German is their first language."

Hogan thought about it. He trusted his chief of staff even though he could not hear the oddness that the radioman did. It must have been extremely subtle but Kinchloe managed to catch it. What manner of imposters infiltrated the camp? Hogan turned to the doorway and saw Saunders casually standing. He said, "Well?"

Saunders said, "And ruin the rescue plan that's obviously in the works here?"

"The Merry Men," Hogan flatly said.

Saunders said in a singsong manner, "You'll be rid of me if you help them succeed."

Hogan thought about it. The presence of the nurse posed certain challenges but he had his orders. If the Merry Men did manage to get the nurse out of camp, what consequences might ensue later? Would Hogan's operations negatively suffer? Eventually, the Krauts would discover the deception.

Kinchloe said, "They're coming."

With a flurry, the coffee pot was stored and the card game resumed. Everything had to look normal. Olsen kept a watch and said, "They're going to Barracks 3."

"They'll come here next," said Hogan. "Is Schultz with them?"

Olsen said, "No, it's Langenscheidt."

Hogan took over at the window watch. How appropriate. That particular corporal had a habit of being present when bad news required delivery. Schultz must still be guarding LeBeau during the dinner preparations. Hogan had no codes, recognition signs or anything that would confirm the identity of the men. He had to rely on a newcomer – and someone he was uncertain if he could really trust. He barely noticed Newkirk's comment, "Blimey, we really are playing Old Maid."

"It always made the sergeant laugh," Saunders casually said. "Isn't gambling against the rules?"

Carter said, "Pfft! Besides, Newkirk nearly always wins anyway. Well, except in the summer when we can make him take off his shirt. Now THAT'S the time to collect big!"

Hogan said, "Here they come."

The men knew how to act casual. It was all for naught. The group stormed into the barracks, agitating the men to action. Within five seconds, the lead Gestapo grabbed Saunders by the hair and dragged her outside while the two escorts trained their weapons on the prisoners. Perhaps the sight of such an act offended the local guards as much as it did the prisoners. Several came to investigate as the Gestapo dragged the nurse to Barracks 3.

As Hogan followed he cried, "Barbarians!"

The lead snapped, "Take him too."

It was unceremonious. It was painful. Hogan was convinced these were real Gestapo. They punched and subdued, dragging him into the barracks behind the nurse and throwing him to the floor.

Saunders snapped, "You take this gig entirely too seriously."

One man said in English, "We're Gestapo, not the Lord Wellington serving tea and cakes on the veranda."

"I think I lost some hair," said Saunders.

Another man said, "Aw, did you break a fingernail?"

Hogan barked, "Who are you?"

The first man glared, "Your worst nightmare – the Merry Men. We stomp the crap out of pansies so don't try anything, Papa Bear. You, sir, are an amateur. You need to grow up if you want to play at the men's card game."

Saunders said, "May I present Little John, Will Scarlett and Friar Tuck?"

The one called Little John grabbed Saunders and pinned her against the wall in a chokehold. He said, "Loose lips sink ships. I could tighten my grip and end this security issue."

"Sir, our orders," said another man.

Hogan said, "London told me about you."

"I'll bet." The man released his grip from the nurse.

Hogan said, "Assaulting senior officers will follow you back to London."

"Right now I don't give a damn," said the man. "We have a traitor to find and Florence Nightingale is going to help us. Damn it, woman, you were on that plane. You survived. Someone else made it off the plane."

"I'll make the coffee," said Saunders. "At least introduce yourselves. He knows your real names anyway."

Hogan did not want to know these men. They acted with an unusual ferocity and brutality. The leader was Major John Collins, code name Little John and unafraid of crossing boundaries. The two men accompanying him had been well suited to the task, just as blindly loyal to the cause and unafraid of bending or breaking the rules. Was that why the Airborne chose such legendary names for their codes? Will Scarlett and Friar Tuck – the loyal soldiers Sergeant Bob Anderson and Corporal Henry Hall, trained killers.

The three men refused coffee and remained standing but allowed Hogan and Saunders to sit. Collins said, "I knew it was a mistake for the general to add you to his operation. I don't care how good you were with the Irregulars. You're a liability. Talk!"

Once again, Hogan listened to the story of the downing of the plane that carried thermite explosives intent on taking out the Dusseldorf artillery division. The damaged plane struggled and the thermite began detonating. O'Neil pushed Saunders out of the door and then he jumped right before the thermite finally blew altogether.

"Someone else made it off that plane alive," said Collins. "We believe it was Captain Winslow. He's a double agent, real name Hauptmann Albert Mueller."

"No one else made it off that plane alive," said Saunders. "Jack was right behind me but he was caught up in the firestorm."

Collins snapped, "Think! You're on the Gooney. O'Neil is trying to get everyone to the cargo door. The thermite starts detonating. Where was Winslow?"

Saunders said, "It was an extremely confusing moment! I think he was at the front of the cargo area but I can't be certain. Damn you, the bird suddenly bobbed and Jack pushed me out."

Hogan said, "Bobbed? What do you mean?"

"Well, it bobbed," said Saunders. "You know, kind of like when you're getting on an elevator going down and it first starts – that kind of sensation."

Collins looked at Hogan intently and said, "That means something to you, Mister Air Corps Pilot."

Was the expression on Hogan's face that transparent? He finally said, "No pilot bails before the crew. We keep the plane up as long as possible. We buy escape time. We're the last ones out and if we're not, we die."

Collins said, "Someone else jumped out from the cockpit door. Why can't you just admit it?"

Hogan angrily stood and said, "We don't bail before the crew."

Anderson said, "Winslow could have killed the pilots and bailed from the cockpit. We know he made it off the plane."

"Stop trying to make him feel better," Collins snapped. "Maybe Winslow wasn't the traitor after all. It could have been one of the pilots. This has been most informative. Now then, it's time to go."

Hogan asked, "What about Florence?"

Saunders snapped, "Quit calling me that. The way you guys keep saying it, well, it's extremely disrespectful."

"Time to put on a show for the Krauts," said Collins.

Hogan did not appreciate being forced outside and thrown to the ground. He scrambled as the three men dragged Saunders to the staff car. Klink came running out of his office and shouted, "You are not taking MY prisoner!"

Collins said, "You dare defy the Gestapo?"

Klink looked briefly afraid but turned a false bravado and said, "General Burkhalter is discussing the matter with the Fuhrer. The fraulein stays."

Collins threw Saunders to the ground and said, "Very well. She is a pretty thing, is she not? Pretty enough for you to defy the Gestapo? We will bide our time, Herr Kommandant." The Merry Men entered the staff car and drove out of camp.

#HH#

Hogan remained unsettled after the encounter. He had a bruise across his left cheekbone. He debated if he was dealing with professionals or loose cannons. He understood why Saunders reacted the way she did at hearing of their vicinity. Collins made it clear that while she was part of the operation he did not truly accept her as a member of the team.

While Hogan was accustomed to complicated operations, he did not appreciate complicated situations. Underground and Resistance units occasionally worked together but more often worked isolated. Few knew the extent of the available contacts. It was a basic security measure in case one unit was captured to prevent betrayal of other units. Hogan knew of many operational units but the Merry Men were new, unknown, and extremely dangerous.

Hogan knew it was up to him to put a stop to the traitor. The man knew he was doomed if he waited for the jump queue. Did he overcome the pilots? Did he accelerate the explosive power of the thermite? What information did he hand over to the enemy? The Merry Men had determination to find this double agent. They, too, wanted to know the answer to the questions.

Newkirk entered Hogan's office and said, "Sir, Corporal Langenscheidt says the Kommandant is ready for you."

"Thanks," said Hogan. He did a final spot check on his uniform. Klink intended to impress Wagner. As to why he really wanted the Americans at dinner, Hogan could only attempt a guess. Klink in his clumsy way did show some respect for the prisoners, referring to it as professional courtesy.

Fortunately, LeBeau provided an excellent meal. Approaching the table, Klink boasted that the camp did offer some civilized accoutrements on occasion despite the war. He took a seat, forgetting a basic courtesy.

"Fraulein," said Wagner as he pulled out a chair.

Hogan was impressed that Saunders managed to pull herself together after the peculiarities of the afternoon. He still felt shaken up by the rough treatment of the Merry Men. Then he hid his amusement as Langenscheidt began serving plates from the right instead of the left and chose to start with Klink. A look from Wagner suggested the cavalryman understood the faux paus.

Hogan said, "Let us enjoy this fine meal prepared by our favorite Free Frenchman."

"Amusing," Wagner said drily. "Colonel Hogan fires the first artillery shot."

Klink said, "It has been an unusual day. The Gestapo decided to visit."

Wagner said, "They deserve a week on the Eastern Front." Several eyebrows raised at the comment. Wagner continued, "Only then will they truly understand war. They presume they know how to interrogate prisoners. I would not have left any marks in such a visible place."

Saunders said, "And Colonel Wagner returns the volley."

Klink said, "I took care of the situation. Here we sit. I told you, Fraulein, we are not barbarians."

Saunders said, "I would be more inclined to believe you if you had intervened before the interrogation, not after."

"Reinforcements from the fifth element," said Wagner.

Klink said, "Let us put aside this military banter and enjoy the meal."

LeBeau's cooking made up for the subtle interrogation. Klink seemed more interested in finding out about Saunders. Hogan silently nodded to show approval to answer if she so chose, a gesture Wagner keenly noted. Wine helped, with Hogan careful to ensure certain restraint.

Saunders was born in 1899 as well as raised in Maryland. She attended and graduated from the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in 1917. Shortly thereafter, she joined the United States Army Nurse Corps and attached to the 82nd Division at Camp Gordon summer of 1917. She accompanied the division as part of the American Expeditionary Forces. This fascinated Wagner, especially when he learned that Saunders provided nursing direct from the trenches.

After the war, Saunders remained with 82nd Division until it demobilized in 1919. She began a traditional nursing career in the Army posted at various hospitals including Walter Reed. She was among the first nurses awarded military rank in 1920. Her career was otherwise uneventful, gradually ascending the ranks as the Army permitted; women not afforded as many steps up the chain of command.

Saunders remained a major longer than a man would have – the highest rank attainable for a woman at the time. She was at Pearl Harbor stationed at Tripler Army Medical Center during the attack. When General Omar Bradley recalled the 82nd Division to active service in March 1942, it reconstituted as the 82nd Airborne Division. She received transfer orders along with her promotion to lieutenant colonel; one of the handful of first few women awarded the rank. She primarily accompanied flights, particularly rescue missions recovering wounded paratroopers.

Klink teased, "Is there nothing more?"

Saunders replied, "Oh yes, I forgot. I was once on a mission when you Krauts shot down the plane. I went to Ravensbruck, but merely for a day before escaping."

Wagner said, "Yet you still boarded another plane on a rescue mission."

She said, "I should have cried, but NO! Damn my sense of duty! Now I'm stuck in this place! Oh, and here's the kicker. The Gestapo thinks I'm some kind of spy and saboteur. I hope they burn in hell."

Wagner laughed, "They should have to spend a week at the Eastern Front. Maybe then they'll realize what war is really about!"

The comment confirmed Wagner was not one who toed the Nazi Party line. Hogan knew the cavalryman fought for country but not necessarily the regime. As a loyal soldier, Wagner followed orders. Not all soldiers joined the Nazi Party. Even Klink was not a member.

The evening finally concluded, military officers needing to see to their men and posts early in the morning. Hogan said, "Yeah, I can still get in an hour of tunnel digging at least."

"Hogan," Klink glared.

Wagner said, "It is an officer's duty to attempt escape."

Saunders said, "Well, I won't be crawling through some creepy tunnel. When I make my break, it'll be in front of everyone – and in broad daylight. Mark my words, gentlemen."

Wagner enjoyed a hearty laugh. Hogan went along with it, shaking his head. Klink seemed unsure of how to take the comment. The hour deemed it necessary to end the festivities and Schultz escorted the prisoners back to the barracks.

Klink was easy to manipulate. Hogan knew Wagner was a worthy adversary, unlikely to defect. He once saw defeat but persisted with determination. What he did was out of love for country. In the end, would he do the right thing? Hogan knew Allied victory would come someday.

As he entered the barracks, Hogan quietly smiled. His men slept. He had a good operation. He started toward his room when he heard a quiet voice say, "Colonel, you have a message from London."

"Come," said Hogan. He knew the communications officer worked diligently. It must be important for him to await Hogan's return.

Once in Hogan's room Kinchloe said, "London is sending a courier who will be here oh-five hundred hours. They are concerned about recent activities. We're to meet the courier at M14."

"Who's the courier?"

"Robin Hood," replied Kinchloe.

Hogan frowned. The last thing he needed was an uninvited general. Why did the general want to visit Stalag 13?