Author's Note: I don't own Hogan's Heroes. This is a fictional story any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.
The thirty minutes passed in a flash. LeBeau refused every deal that Lutzen made and Lutzen had even offered complete immunity. LeBeau laughed and said something about the trustworthiness of the Nazis. Lutzen had turned purple and threatened to shoot him on the spot. LeBeau countered that any information he had would die with him.
Jocelyn watched the arguments back and forth until Lieutenant Friedmann spoke up from the table to her left. He walked over to the general and relayed that he was all set to take the prisoner to Gestapo headquarters. Lutzen looked over at him briefly and waved him on. Friedmann grabbed her arm and pulled her upright. Jocelyn tried her best not to look frightened, but LeBeau could see right through her mask.
LeBeau jumped to his feet and angrily told Lutzen that if he wanted any information that the girl was to remain with him.
Lutzen's eyes flashed. He had found his pressure point. Lutzen, with a smirk on his face, shook his head stating that she was Hochstetter's problem. So, in spite of LeBeau's efforts at bargaining, Jocelyn was taken away.
About ten minutes later, LeBeau was taken to the train depot and to his surprise lead to the passenger car. Lutzen noticed his surprise and remarked that he expected to hear from the Englander before the night was through.
LeBeau almost groaned. Lutzen was setting another trap and he was the bait. He watched stonily as guards climbed into the decoy boxcar. Lutzen settled himself on the train and remarked to Wilburt how much he wished he had his tool-case with him. Wilburt nodded without much enthusiasm and LeBeau tried to look impassive.
The train let out two long, sharp whistles and slowly started to move forward. As LeBeau watched the city of Dusseldorf pass, he couldn't help but run through any plans of escape. He came up with several ideas, most of which ended with him getting a bullet in the back of his head. No, unfortunately he would have to wait until Newkirk or Hogan attempted their rescue.
After another ten minutes of chugging along rather peacefully, LeBeau had a moment of hopeful doubt cross his mind. Maybe they wouldn't fall into Lutzen's trap. Maybe they wouldn't try anything until he was in Berlin. LeBeau had just gained some comfort in this new idea, when the train's whistle started to sound frantically.
"Looks like our Englander is fond of Papa Bear." Lutzen said, jumping to his feet as a vicious smile spread across his face.
The train finally jolted to a stop causing Wilburt, who had also stood, to slam into the general. They both fell to the ground in a tangled mass of limbs. Since the guards were distracted by the two men on the floor, LeBeau took a chance and bolted for the door. He flung it open, slipped out and looked for something... anything to block the door. He found a metal rod, he assumed it was a part of the train, and slid it in between the door and the railing. With the door effectively locked, LeBeau flew down the steps and ran to the tree line. He hid in the bushes and waited for a chance to see or signal his British comrade.
1***********************************************1
Jocelyn was sitting in the German truck staring into space. She wondered what would happen to her friend, Louis LeBeau. Just my terrible luck. The first time I see him in years and we are captured by the boche. One guard leaned forward placing his hand on her knee. He spoke in heavily accented French, "I could make sure you are taken care of."
Jocelyn shuddered as she controlled the bile that rose to her throat. "Non, merci."
She brushed his hand away and shifted slightly. He turned bright red as his comrades chuckled. One of them said something in German. Jocelyn couldn't make it out, but whatever it was did not sit well with the red-faced German who grabbed the other by the lapels and threatened in angry tones.
Lieutenant Friedmann spun around from the front of the truck and told them to settle down. Jocelyn was relieved that the fight was avoided, but she didn't like the way the scorned guard glared at her.
It was a couple of hours until dawn by the time they reached Gestapo headquarters in Hammelburg. Jocelyn was frightened when she caught sight of the major who rushed out to meet them. He was short in stature, dark haired, and had a well-trimmed mustache.
He smiled in a stiff way, "Good evening, mademoiselle. I am Major Hochstetter."
Jocelyn tipped her head, but remained silent. Hochstetter motioned to Friedmann and told him to place her in an interrogation room.
She was placed in a damp and dingy room. It was poorly lit and as Jocelyn looked around she felt very alone. She sat down in the chair and started to cry. She let all the feelings and fear pour out of her. She knew the only way this would end for her was to be shot as an enemy of the Reich. She thought to Louis, He'll be shot as well. Oh, Louis!
She was still sobbing when Hochstetter stepped into the room.
Hochstetter watched her carefully. She cannot be more than twenty-one. He thought pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and handing it to her. "Pull yourself together." he said, gruffly.
Jocelyn took the handkerchief and blew her nose. She eyed the major suspiciously, "What do you want?" she asked, cautiously.
Hochstetter smiled that predatory smile and said, "Where is the film?"
"What film?" she replied, as innocently as she could.
"Please, Fraulein." Hochstetter said, with a softened tone, "You will not be harmed if you tell me exactly what you know."
Jocelyn raised her head defiantly, "I was having a late supper at the Dusseldorf Hotel and your men accosted me."
Hochstetter sighed, "All right...What about the man who was taken into custody?" he eyed her carefully, "What do you know of him?"
Jocelyn picked at a loose thread on the edge of the handkerchief, "What about him?"
"What does he look like?" Hochstetter asked, "He was French and you are French...Had you met him before?"
"Oh, yes." Jocelyn said, sarcastically, "Because everyone in France knows each other."
Hochstetter tried again, "What was your connection to the underground?"
"What underground?" Jocelyn said, quickly realizing that her best option was to play dumb.
Hochstetter was growing more frustrated by the minute. He started to pace the floor behind her chair. He stopped and pulled a chair closer to her's and said in an almost friendly tone,
"My dear, the Gestapo are a most efficient group. We will find your connection to the underground and we will find that microfilm." he paused, "I know you want to remain true to your cause; however, if you were to supply information it might save you from the firing squad."
Jocelyn laughed, scornfully, "The Nazis have a poor track record on trustworthiness."
Hochstetter stood angrily and started to snap back a reply when Friedmann, who was standing in the corner, spoke.
"That's what little bear said."
Hochstetter turned to him, his anger dissipating into curiosity, "Little bear? Why do you call him little bear?"
Friedmann shrugged, "Because he is short."
Hochstetter stared at the lieutenant for a moment before he started to laugh, "That pompous general. He can't see what's under his nose." turning to Jocelyn he said, "We will have to finish this discussion later. I have a spy to catch."
Hochstetter motioned to Friedmann and spoke rapidly in German, telling him to pull the car around. Friedmann asked were they were going. Jocelyn did not hear his reply, but the major had a bounce to his step, rather odd to see in a Gestapo officer. She felt a knot of dread form in the pit of her stomach.
He knows something.
1*******************************************1
Newkirk turned off the radio. He figured if Hogan knew his plan the colonel might order him not to do it. This wasn't a great plan, but in Newkirk's mind it was better than no plan. He grabbed the lantern and climbed the ladder. After quietly replacing the trap door, he kicked some dirt and straw over the lines of the door concealing it as best he could. Rejoining Robi at the barn door, Newkirk outlined his plan. Robi listened thoughtfully,
"It might work. I'll get a couple of men and we can set off in ten minutes."
Newkirk grabbed his arm, "Make sure they're trusted. We can't afford any mistakes. My car is at the end of the lane near the road."
Robi nodded and motioned to the back end of the barn, "The axes are along the back wall. We will meet you at the car."
Robi went in search of his friends, while Newkirk went for the axes. He selected the two sharpest and set off for the car. He had just finished placing the axes in the trunk when Robi and two men crept out of the darkness and joined Newkirk.
"Get in." Newkirk said, cutting Robi off as he started to make introductions, "We don't 'ave much time and no offense, but I don't really want to know any names."
Robi nodded solemnly and quietly told the two men to get in the back seat. He was used to Hogan's men and he understood fully why they didn't want to be known. He went around to the front and climbed in beside Newkirk. They drove in silence for about fifteen minutes until the reached a small clearing on the side of the road. Pulling off the road and into the clearing, Newkirk and Robi studied the map,
"Right 'ere should do it." Newkirk said, pointing to a spot not far from where the car sat.
Robi nodded, turning to the men in the back seat he spoke rapidly in German. Newkirk climbed out of the car as Robi explained the plan to the other men. He opened the trunk and dug out the axes. He gave them to Robi's men and pointed ahead of him. Robi took point followed by his men and Newkirk brought up the rear. He pulled his pistol from the holster at his shoulder. Throwing a brief look behind him, he pushed forward.
They reached the train tracks minutes later. Newkirk tapped one of the tall fir trees close to the track, "Robi, you and one of these chaps cut this one down."
Robi selected one of the men and motioned for the other to follow Newkirk, who had taken an ax and was already across the tracks. Newkirk had selected an elm and was hacking away at it furiously. Twenty minutes later, Newkirk's tree fell across the tracks. Newkirk and the other man jogged over to Robi and his partner. Between the four of them, the fir was felled in less then five minutes, "Get ready." Newkirk said, as he took cover in the bushes, "The train will be 'ere any minute."
They didn't wait too long. The train came chugging up the track. The engineer started blowing the whistle several times. Newkirk assumed to warn the passengers that the train was stopping. The train braked causing sparks to fly from the wheel before it finally came to a complete stop. Newkirk held his hand signaling Robi and his men to stay put.
Come out of there you filthy krauts. Show me which car 'e's in. After a moment or two one of the back boxcars opened and two uniformed S.S. soldiers jumped out and walked towards the trees across the track. Newkirk signaled Robi to move in towards the boxcar holding LeBeau. In the blink of an eye Newkirk, Robi, and the two men stole along the tree-line and up into the boxcar.
Newkirk stood the unsure of what to do next. Where is 'e?
Robi looked at Newkirk, seeing the Englishman looking around confused, he took control. He ordered the other two men to get back to the trees. Robi grasped Newkirk's arm, "Come, my friend. We need to get out of here before the guards return."
Newkirk shook his head still bewildered, "No, 'e 'as to be 'ere. 'Ogan said..."
Robi quickly shushed him, "What are you thinking? Don't use his name, not here."
"But 'e said 'e'd be on the train." Newkirk hissed, "No, I 'ave to find 'im."
Robi shook his head, "Can't you see this was a trap. You friend has talked and they leaked the information to draw you out."
Newkirk turned on him angrily, No!" he said, louder than he'd intended. Robi shushed him, but the damaged had already been done.
"Ah, my Englander." A voice behind him said. Newkirk felt a shiver run down his spine. He turned slowly as if trapped in a nightmare.
Lutzen stood in the doorway five guards stood behind him, guns drawn. Newkirk recognized one of them as Wilburt. Robi tossed down his gun and put his hands up.
"Throw down your weapon, Englander." Lutzen said, with that cruel glint in his eyes.
Newkirk gripped the gun tightly and his eyes went glassy as he allowed his mind to take control. Not goin' back...I'm not. They'll kill me if I shoot ... Lutzen will kill me ... the cellar...pain...no help... Newkirk had just made up his mind to pull the trigger when he felt a hand cover his own which gripped the pistol.
"Mon Ami?" the familiar French voice said, "Give me the pistol."
That voice...familiar...friend... Newkirk felt as if he couldn't think. He couldn't clear his head, it was hazy. Newkirk blinked several times and finally his vision focused. LeBeau? He, wordlessly, eased his grip on the gun.
LeBeau told Robi to take Newkirk to the woods. Robi nodded, having picked up his pistol, put it in Newkirk's holster and pulled the younger man over to the door and helped him down. LeBeau jumped out of the boxcar and faced the six Germans, "All right, get in the boxcar."
Lutzen glared at him and started towards the Frenchman, but stopped when he felt the rifle at his back. One of Robi's men spoke to Lutzen in low tones. The general practically snarled, but in the end he climbed up into the boxcar. The rest of the soldiers followed.
LeBeau kept them covered as Robi's men rolled the heavy door shut and slid the lock into place. The three men took off in a run for the trees. It wouldn't be long before the pounding of the general and his men attracted the conductor.
They finally reached Newkirk and Robi at the car. Newkirk, appearing to have completely recovered, motioned for the three to get in. He drove until he reached the lane for Robi's farm. Robi and his men crawled out and Robi wished them good luck.
Newkirk told him to let Papa Bear know that they were on their way back home. LeBeau started to argue, but Newkirk shook his head and repeated the message. Robi looked from on to the other and then nodded and disappeared into the darkness.
Newkirk stepped on the gas, as LeBeau stared at him with anger in his eyes. He started to yell at Newkirk drifting from English into French.
Newkirk rolled his eyes, "LeBeau, I don't understand French."
"We have to get Jocelyn back." LeBeau said, emphatically.
"Jocelyn? You mean Ladybird?" Newkirk said, glancing at him briefly, "Who is she?"
LeBeau looked out the window. Newkirk could see from his expression that he was recalling happier times. "LeBeau?" Newkirk said, trying to keep his eye on the road but also his friend, "Louis? You there, mate?"
LeBeau smiled, fondly, "Her name is Jocelyn Boucher. I was best of friends with her brother growing up. I played at their house often. I became very close to the whole family." LeBeau smiled and almost looked embarrassed, "I fell in love with her. I asked her to marry me."
Newkirk's eyebrows nearly came off his forehead, "You're engaged to 'er?!"
"Do not interrupt." LeBeau chastised, before continuing with his story, "She said she would not, that the times too were uncertain. She wanted to wait until after we had stopped Hitler's rampage across Europe. I joined up about a year before the Battle of France."
Newkirk clenched his jaw, "Dunkirk." he said, softly.
LeBeau glanced over at him with a sad, but curious look, "Oui, Dunkirk. Jocelyn's brother was there, he fell covering the evacuation."
"My brother was there." Newkirk said, his voice was barely a whisper as he remembered his sibling, "He was killed filling the 'ole made by the Belgian's surrender."
LeBeau was surprised. Many of the men talked about their families and Newkirk was no exception, but usually he only discussed his younger brothers and sisters. He hardly ever talked about those that had fought or were fighting.
"Finish your story, Louis." Newkirk urged.
"Well, I was evacuated to England. I flew for the Free French until I was shot down. The rest you know. What happened to Jocelyn, I did not know." LeBeau said shaking his head, "I thought maybe she was dead...or in hiding...or I don't know..."
Newkirk grinned, in an attempt to lighten the mood, "I never pictured you as the marryin' type."
LeBeau rolled his eyes, "You've never had a girl that you thought of going to the church with?"
Newkirk chuckled, "A few I thought about, but I never asked."
They bantered back and forth for several hours. Both of them were keenly aware of how close they came to not making it home.
1******************************************1
It was about an hour before roll call when Hochstetter pulled through the gates of Stalag Thirteen. He had the driver stop at Klink's office and told him to wait there. Hochstetter climbed up the steps of the Kommandantuer and entered. He glanced up and down at Helga. He quietly appraised her figure before moving on to Klink's office. Without knocking, he opened the door and went in, setting himself down in the chair across from the snoring Klink. Hochsetter sat for a moment staring at him with disdain.
If Germany has anymore officers like him, we WILL lose this war.
"Klink." He said to the sleeping figure, when he received no reply, he shouted. "Klink!"
Klink jolted awake and jumped to his feet, "Major Hochstetter! I was just..."
"I know what you were just." Hochstetter said, cutting him off, "I want Hogan brought to the office for questioning."
"Yes, Major." Klink said. He walked to the door and told Helga to inform Schultz that he was to bring Colonel Hogan immediately. Then he returned to the office and set about making coffee.
It was almost ten minutes later Schultz returned with a haggard looking Hogan. Hochstetter smiled that cat-that-ate-the-canary smile,
"You look terrible, Colonel Hogan." Hochstetter tutted.
Hogan cleared his throat, "Well, Major, I was up all night playing cards with the Kommandant." he leaned closer to Hochstetter, "He's a terrible card player."
"That's not true!" Klink said, indignantly, "I was the best in my unit."
"Shut up, Klink!" Hochstetter snapped, before returning to his genial mood, "I think I have you figured out."
Hogan raised his eyebrows, "Oh?"
"Yes...for a long time I believed you to be a spy. A spy operating right under Klink's nose." Hochstetter paused, to quell Klink's protest with a glare, "You see, I believed that you were the infamous Papa Bear."
Hogan pretended to be bored, but he was actually very anxious.
"I found out today that you are not Papa Bear." Hochstetter said, taking a long sip of coffee.
"Well, we all make mistakes." Hogan said, slapping a cocky smile on his face.
"Indeed." Hochstetter agreed, "What I failed to see was that Papa Bear is not one man, but several."
Hogan's eyes narrowed, "Several?"
"Yes. Several." Hochstetter seemed very pleased with himself, "Your little French cook...what's his name?"
"LeBeau." Klink supplied, feeling sick.
"LeBeau. That's right. He is on his way to Berlin with General Lutzen." Hochstetter turned to Klink, every trace of the genial mood was gone. "We will go to the barracks and we will find one prisoner unaccounted for." his gaze was full of contempt, "And you...you pitiful excuse for an officer, will be shot for incompetence."
Klink paled visibly, "Major...I...I...I'm positive that the Frenchman will be in the barracks. Right, Hogan?"
Hogan met the pleading look Klink shot him, but remained silent. His face was impassive.
Hochstetter stood triumphantly and marched out of the office and towards the barracks with Schultz, Klink, and Hogan right behind him.
P.S. Many apologies for the tremendously late update. I hope you enjoy the chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.
I did a great deal of research for this chapter, particularly the Battle of France and Dunkirk. I'm ashamed to say that I never realized how bravely the French fought. They were a strong and brave people at Dunkirk. I never understood how much they contributed to WWII, until I did my research. Bravo, and Vive le France!
As always, feel free to comment or criticize. Much love!
P.P.S. Some people may have misconstrued my post script as putting down my country or stereo-typing all Americans as arrogant. I apologize...This was not my intention. So, let me clarify. I was the only arrogant person here. I love and have deep pride in my country and it's service members, both past and present.
