The men sat around the table making Christmas decorations. Hogan enjoyed a cup of coffee. Schultz entered, pleased at the activity. He commented that he had been worried no one made an effort.
Hogan said, "Well, it's been a busy time. Maybe you'd let us go out and cut down a tree."
Schultz laughed, "And upset the forstmeister? He would never forgive me. Nein. Maybe next Christmas."
Hogan said, "Okay. We'll help with the planting this spring."
"You've got yourself a deal," said Schultz. "Oh LeBeau, I'm supposed to tell you not to bother cooking for the Kommandant."
LeBeau said, "Why not?"
Schultz said, "Frau Linkmeyer is cooking his goose." The men erupted in laughter. Schultz asked, "What's so funny?"
Hogan said, "It's an idiom. When someone's goose is cooked, that means someone is in trouble."
Schultz laughed and said, "Oh, she is trying to marry him!"
LeBeau said, "That means I can concentrate on our dinner."
Schultz said, "I'm sure your dinner will be better than hers – but don't tell the Kommandant I said that."
Hogan said, "He might agree with you."
LeBeau said, "Joyeux Noel."
Schultz said, "Frohe Weihnachten."
"Merry Christmas," said Hogan.
"Stay out of trouble today," said Schultz before leaving.
Carter said, "I wonder why Schultz didn't go home. After all, he can."
The statement had the effect of making the men reflect. Hogan knew it was a precarious topic. They could not go home. They had a job to do. Hogan understood how the men felt but the holidays were tough. He wanted to go home too.
Olsen said, "A truck just arrived. Hey, it's the SS."
Hogan walked over to the window and said, "SS? What are they doing here?" He saw a truck immediately proceeded and followed by cars. "They must have a prisoner.
Hogan decided to step outside to observe. No one ordered the men to return to barracks. He stood casually with his team. He watched the banter between the SS captain and Klink. Then he saw Klink point to Barracks 3. Hogan's heart began to race.
Two of the SS guards lowered the truck gate. Hogan saw women climbing out of the truck. They were thin and pale. Several were aged. They did not look in good health. They wore striped dresses with the yellow Star of David on the chest. Most of the women had headscarves. Then he noticed the hissing from the radiator. Coolant began spewing. He saw the women lined up and the guards acted with ferocity. In total, there were twenty women of varying ages.
Hogan was disgusted with the display but he could not interfere. He watched as the guards led the women to Barracks 3. He tried to approach but one of the SS guards warned him away. Klink hurried to Hogan and said, "It's better if you don't, Hogan."
Hogan asked, "What's going on?"
"Their truck needs repair," said Klink. "It's only for a few hours."
Hogan watched as the truck pulled around to the motor pool. He asked, "Who are they?"
Klink had a hard time saying it but finally managed. "Jews. They're on their way to Nuremberg."
Hogan asked, "What about Colonel Saunders?"
Klink said, "I hope they don't inconvenience her. Hogan, don't try going to that barracks. The SS will be guarding it."
#HH#
Saunders said nothing as the SS herded the women into the barracks. She looked at the concentration camp uniforms and saw the Star of David symbols. The women were thin and cold. Their hair had been shaved. They had gaunt faces. The captain gave her a stern look. Saunders stood and approached, staring back at the man with cold determination.
"Krankenschwester," said the captain. "Mind your status. There is always room for one more on the truck."
Saunders said, "Take it up with the High Command. Oh, and it is Oberstleutnant Krankenschwester." The captain laughed before leaving.
Saunders looked around and saw terrified women. She said, "I don't have much to offer but please be comfortable." She helped one elderly woman sit in a chair. Then she added wood to the stove. "I have some coffee. I don't have too many cups but if you're willing to take turns we can make do."
Klink entered with the SS captain. The women started cowering. Klink turned pale. He said nothing as Saunders started pouring coffee for the women.
The captain said, "You will spoil them. They are already no good to me."
Saunders said, "It's Christmas. Show a little compassion." The captain spit on the floor before leaving with Klink in tow.
"Christmas?"
Saunders turned and saw a young woman raised an eyebrow in question. She said, "Yes, it's Christmas. I know you don't celebrate it but for me it is a holy day."
"They never leave us alone," said another woman.
Saunders said, "I'm sure they're guarding this barracks. Please relax. As long as you're here, you're safe. The Kommandant is tough but he won't allow the SS to brutalize you within this camp."
While the women could not entirely relax, they did begin to feel a little at ease. Saunders wished she had more dishes. She heard rumbling stomachs. She knew the women were hungry. She did not have much food. She expected dinner later that afternoon. When did these women next expect to eat?
Saunders went to her cupboard and started pulling out food items from the Red Cross parcel. She was almost besieged but one woman said, "Dignity." The women backed away. Saunders realized this woman had some authority as a respected leader. She handed the woman the package of cookies, only ten in the pack, and watched as the women split the cookies in two and shared. They did the same with the chocolate and biscuits.
She handed off the one-pound bag of raisins, which the women duly shared. The cheese and oleo were quickly enjoyed. The peanut butter proved difficult considering they had already eaten the biscuits.
Someone returned with rinsed out cups and Saunders handed out the package of cubed sugar. The coffee was exhausted but one of the women offered to make more so she handed her the can. Saunders only had the one can of powdered milk. The small cans of salmon and corned beef were not enough, but she saw the women share. Saunders had a pot and began heating the vegetable soup on the stove. It was concentrate but she was afraid to water it down too much.
"You are kind," said one woman.
Saunders said, "I'm sorry for your troubles. We're going to win this war. I'm sorry. I don't have any more food items here."
Another woman asked, "What will you do?"
Saunders said, "I'll manage. We get thin soup and black bread twice day."
Another woman cried, "Twice a day!"
Saunders said, "We're prisoners of war here. Kommandant Klink must abide by the Geneva Convention."
"That means nothing to us," said another woman.
Saunders shook her head. These women were not guilty of anything. They suffered brutal conditions and torments. She saw a glimpse of that during her brief stay at Ravensbruck. Most of the women there were Polish. These women were German. How could a government treat its citizenry with such disregard?
"No one will remember us," said the elderly woman.
Saunders said, "I will."
The leader said, "What if they shoot you?"
Saunders said, "Then we'll meet again in heaven."
"I want to be beautiful," said a young woman.
The elderly woman smiled, "You already are beautiful."
Another woman said, "I like your toilets." This caused the women to laugh.
The leader said, "Not so loud. If they hear, the captain will come in and he'll be furious. He'll make sure we don't eat tonight." The women heeded the warning.
Saunders took out the journal provided by the Red Cross. She had not intended to use it considering the delicate operations that Hogan ran at camp. She asked the women permission to record their names and, if so inclined, a brief history. She listened with interest.
One woman used to work in a toy factory until it closed and retooled as a war plant. Another woman owned a flower shop with her husband, who she had not seen since the authorities arrested them. Yet another was engaged to be married and she was labeled a race defiler, even though she remained chaste.
These women were ordinary and extraordinary in their strength and courage. They were housewives, businesswomen, mothers, and daughters. They were separated from the men. One woman lost her child to sickness in the camp. The SS removed young children not old enough to work.
This particular group of women worked in a factory making socks for soldiers. One boasted how they tampered with the machine so the heels would not be woven extra heavy. This way the feet would prematurely wear out and affect the soldiers. They were caught. Now they were on their way to the main camp.
"It will not end well for us," said the leader.
Saunders managed to slide the journal into her pocket as the door opened. The SS captain ordered the women out of the barracks. He looked around the room. Saunders said, "There's some coffee left."
"I smell cooking," said the captain.
Saunders said, "Canned vegetable soup. It's positively disgusting. Well, when we win the war…"
The captain pulled out his pistol and trained it straight at her. He said, "Merry Christmas." He left the barracks.
Saunders hurried outside and saw the guards loading the women onto the truck. She went to Hogan and said, "You've got to do something."
Hogan said, "There's nothing I can do."
Saunders said, "They're being taken to Nuremberg. They're marked for execution. Please. You've got to try."
"No promises," Hogan snapped.
Saunders said, "No promises."
Frau Linkmeyer came out from the office. She started hurling insults at the women. Klink looked at her in disbelief. Then he looked at the women. He almost looked ashamed at the scene.
#HH#
Hogan had no time for intrinsic planning. He hastily assembled a team. They moved quickly through the woods. He had the advantage of a straight line whereas the SS had a curved road to negotiate. He knew the speed limits required of military vehicles. As his team arrived at the junction out of breath, he swore. The SS already passed through and continued to Nuremberg. He lowered his head and sat on the ground.
Kinchloe said, "They're making up for lost time."
"I know," said Hogan.
Newkirk asked, "What's wrong, Colonel?"
Hogan sighed, "Colonel Saunders was with those women for several hours. She says they're going to be executed. Damn it! They got away."
Kinchloe said, "We need to get back to camp."
Hogan dreaded the idea of returning to camp. He knew Kinchloe was right. As the group silently returned, Hogan felt deep remorse. He knew inhumanities occurred within the concentration camps. He dealt with military missions and acts of sabotage. He helped a few escape arrest who were marked for internment. He did nothing for those already interned.
What could he do? Once back at the barracks, he sat at the table in disgust. This was a despicable war. When Saunders entered, Hogan just looked at her. He knew she understood. She sat at the table and held his hand.
Hogan said, "I'm not some miracle worker."
Saunders said, "I know. I have a small favor to ask."
Hogan said, "Yes?"
Saunders pulled out the journal and handed it to Hogan. She said, "Next courier to London, ask them to bring this."
Hogan asked, "What is it?"
Saunders said, "Their names, their stories, and their contribution to the war effort. Colonel Hogan, we can't save everyone. God, for a brief moment I hoped we could at least save them. They liked our toilets. They liked that God awful vegetable soup. One girl said she wanted to be beautiful again. Another woman told her she already was beautiful."
As Saunders started bawling, Newkirk held her. The men knew horrors of war. They did not truly know the horrors of the concentration camps. They were rarely touched by it, and today was such a day.
#HH#
Hogan sat across from the Kommandant in his office. Klink was unusually distressed. He finally asked, "What's on your mind, Kommandant?"
"Frau Linkmeyer," said Klink.
Hogan said, "You just don't like strong women."
Klink said, "I saw a dark side of her today."
Hogan said, "Tell her how you feel."
Klink said, "I can't do that. She'll tell Albert."
Hogan nodded his head. He said, "I have no advice." Klink looked shocked. Hogan said, "Colonel Saunders talked to those women. She was deeply moved by their plight."
Klink said, "She is allowed to care because she is American, same as you Hogan."
Hogan said, "Alright. Just tell her to pack her bags and go. Tell her you're not interested. Who cares if she tells Albert? If you give in to her demand of marriage, she'll be telling Albert everything. Sometimes you just have to make a stand."
Klink exclaimed, "Hogan!"
Hogan said, "You can come and go as you please. I'm a prisoner. I'm stuck here for the duration of the war. For God's sake, it's Christmas! I have two hundred men wanting to get the hell out of here."
Klink said, "I see."
Hogan stood and said, "No, you don't Kommandant. I can't help you with Frau Linkmeyer, not this time. My men are trying to pull together a decent Christmas."
Klink said, "You wish to be with your men. That's the same thing Colonel Wagner wants."
Hogan said, "It's the burden of command. Sure, we have our privileges as commanding officers but we also have our duties and responsibilities. Damn it, you're not the type of man to marry a woman like Frau Linkmeyer. Now if you'll excuse me, LeBeau is putting together a little something. Oh, and I hope there won't be any trouble for Colonel Saunders. It's already getting dark and I don't want to hear any complaining that she's in our barracks past curfew."
Klink said, "Agreed." Hogan started walking to the door. Klink said, "Thank you, Hogan. I can always depend on your honesty."
"No problem," said Hogan as he left. He looked around the secretarial station. Hilda was already gone. Langenscheidt took care of paperwork. Hogan sighed. He returned to the barracks and saw LeBeau setting up a feast.
Hogan said, "Smells wonderful."
"No one better ask for any ketchup," said LeBeau.
Carter asked, "Why not?" Newkirk took off his hat and hit him across the head. Carter said, "Sorry!"
Olsen said, "Schultz is coming. He's with Florence."
Hogan said, "Must be her escort. The Kommandant agreed she could be here past dark." The comment generated a series of cheers and catcalls. Hogan snapped, "Knock it off. She's an officer."
Wilson said, "But not a gentleman!"
"Somebody hit him," sighed Hogan.
The two entered the barracks and Schultz stared in wonder. He said, "Cockroach, you have outdone yourself tonight."
LeBeau said, "It wasn't easy."
Schultz said to Hogan in a singsong manner, "I know something you don't know."
Hogan said, "That betrays the usual I know nothing."
Schultz said, "If I tell you, can I have some?"
LeBeau said, "A man willing to betray his country for a piece of strudel."
Schultz said, "Jolly jokers. Maybe I won't tell you that the frauen escaped."
Hogan stood and walked next to Schultz. He said, "Go on."
Schultz said, "Someone ambushed the truck. The SS said it was the Underground. The frauen got away. The SS were all tied up. They could not do a thing about it."
Hogan said, "Really? You think it was the Underground."
Schultz said, "Who else could it be? I'm glad they got away. One of the frauen looked like someone who used to work for me."
Hogan said, "At the Schatzi Toy Factory."
Saunders said, "Toy factory?" Hogan looked at her. She said, "One of the women used to work at a toy factory before it closed and retooled for war."
Schultz proudly said, "What an interesting coincidence."
Hogan smiled, "Boys, make room for Schultz."
Schultz laughed, "Ah, danke."
Hogan said, "I hope those women make it. They were on their way to a firing squad."
Schultz said, "I hope they make it too, but don't tell Klink I said so."
Hogan sat and LeBeau began serving with help from Carter. At times, Schultz looked the other way, which allowed Hogan to run his operation. Hogan even used him unwittingly in his plots and schemes. He knew Schultz did not care much for the current regime; instead, he often reminisced about the days of life with a Kaiser.
Yet Hogan never suspected Schultz was capable of orchestrating such a feat. If he was behind it, he had time to organize a rescue. Maybe he knew someone willing to take a risk, perhaps another former employee or even his wife. Hogan underestimated the man.
Hogan said, "LeBeau, I hope you have some wine."
LeBeau said, "I didn't have time to go shopping. We'll have to make do with this."
Schultz looked at the bottle and said, "Kommandant Klink has a bottle just like that."
LeBeau said in a singsong manner, "Not anymore."
It was an unusual assemblage – American, English, French, and German. Hogan looked around the room and saw the perfect team. He silently prayed for a quick end to the war. While he and his men managed to have a few good times, he knew others were not fortunate. He did his best as commanding officer. He hoped it was good enough to keep his men safe.