Sorry it took so long to post chapter 2. Have been a bit under the weather lately and doing research.

Chapter 2 --- CAPTAIN RONALD DAVIDSON, US ARMY

Captain Ronald Davidson picked up his duffel bag from the floor and tossed it onto the lower bunk. He had been advised that Hogan preferred the upper one, but because of Hogan's back injury, had to use the lower for now. Besides, Davidson really didn't mind one way or the other. A bed was a bed as far as he was concerned. He sighed as he laid out his few belongings. He didn't have much, but what little he now had, he had to make last for as long as he was a prisoner at what he had heard was the toughest POW camp in all of Germany. Sighing, he sat down on the bed, his head in his hands. How could he have let this happen again? After being shot down with Lt. Col. Robert M. Stillman(1), he couldn't believe it had happened again. But this time was different. He hoped nobody ever found out the real reason he had allowed himself to be captured and sent to Stalag 13, especially Colonel Hogan. He looked up when he heard the door open. Hogan slowly made his way into the room. The Colonel immediately sensed something was amiss with his new roommate.

"Something wrong, Captain?" he asked.

Davidson forced a smile to his lips. "I'm okay, Colonel. Guess I still in shock by being here."

Hogan grinned. "It happens to all of us when we're first captured, Captain. Even me. Believe me, you'll get accustomed to it after awhile. I'm curious, Captain. What group were you with?"

"The 482nd Bomb Group, sir. We were returning from dropping our load over Dusseldorff when one of my engines was hit and I was forced to make a crash landing in a field. Sergeant Randall was my gunner. He and I were the only two to walk away from the plane. We were surrounded by a Kraut patrol before we even got out of the plane."

Hogan smirked. "The 482nd. Wasn't that under the command of Colonel Baskin Lawrence(2)?"

"Yes, sir. You know the Colonel, sir?" Davidson raised both eyebrows.

"Not really. But I know of him and his reputation. He's a good man."

Davidson let his head hang. "Yes, sir. He's a fine man. I just wish...." he didn't finish.

"You just wish what, Captain?" asked Hogan, now curious.

Davidson looked up into Hogan's eyes. "I just wish I hadn't gotten myself and Sergeant Randall captured is all."

Hogan let out a deep breath. "You and the sergeant are both alive, Captain. Besides, I've always said any landing you can walk away from is a good one."

"I hope so," Davidson replied. Even though he tried not too, he found himself staring at Hogan's crutches. "Colonel, can I ask you a question?"

"Ask away," Hogan replied.

"I noticed your crutches. I was wondering...I mean I wanted to ask...."

Hogan smiled. "You're curious as to what happened. Am I right?"

"Yes, sir. That's if you want to tell me, sir."

Hogan shrugged. "I don't mind telling you. As the Senior POW officer here, I had an accident while trying to stop a fellow prisoner from trying to escape in a tunnel that wasn't safe. There was a cave-in and I injured my lower back causing pressure on my spinal cord. I was confined to a wheelchair for one year."

Davidson's eyebrows shot up. "You were paralyzed below the waist, Colonel?"

"Yes. It was a difficult time for me," Hogan sighed as he recalled the actual reason for his paralysis. "But, I'm slowly getting the use of my legs back and I'm rid of the wheelchair, thank God. I really don't like thinking about what happened, Captain. Any other questions?"

"No, sir. Sorry, sir."

Hogan smiled again. "It's okay, Captain. No problem. I'll let you get back to your unpacking." Hogan turned and started out the door when Davidson called out to him. He turned. "Yes, Captain?"

Davidson slowly approached Hogan. "Why don't you just call me Ron, Colonel. You said it yourself, it's very informal here."

Hogan smirked. "I did say that, didn't I? Very well, Ron. You can refer to me as Colonel, sir, or Colonel Hogan. I don't stand on ceremony here."

"Thanks, Colonel."

Hogan nodded and then slowly left the room. Davidson closed the door and stood for a moment, thinking. So Hogan had suffered a traumatic injury. He'd have to store that piece of knowledge away, as well as see what else he could find out about Hogan. Combining any new information with what he already knew about the man might prove useful to him. Especially if he was to complete his mission.

After putting away all his personal belongings, Davidson stretched out on the upper bunk and clasped his hands behind his head. He stared at the ceiling and replayed the events that led to him being in Stalag 13.

Davidson had been the youngest gunner with the 322nd Bomb Group under the command of Lt. Colonel Robert M. Stillman. He recalled how, during his first mission on May 17th, 1943, on what was now known as the disasterous low-level mission of that day. He had never been so scared in his entire life. But if it hadn't been for the fatherly advice and friendship of Lt. Colonel Stillman, Davidson knew he would have panicked. Still, if Stillman had faith in a young gunner on his first mission, than why couldn't he have faith in himself? After all, Stillman was counting on him as were his other crew members. So Davidson swallowed his nervousness and was determined to show what he was made of. It pained him after all this time recalling the mission they flew over Ijmuiden, Holland, and that it was his panic which resulted in Lt. Col Stillman being wounded in action and Stillman's copilot, Lt. Resweber, being killed and Stillman becoming a POW in Luftstalg 3 in Sagan in Poland about 168 miles Southeast of Berlin(3). He never forgave himself for that.

Now, his panic on this latest mission had resurfaced and here he was again, in a POW camp. He was fortunate that he'd been able to escape the last time, but this time he feared he wouldn't be so lucky. And he had caused his gunner to be caught as well. He sighed wearily. He recalled what had transpired when he met with his commanding officer prior to this last mission and what they had discussed. His superior had even shown him a photo of Colonel Hogan and told him what to do.

Davidson turned onto his side and with one arms bent, rested his head on his arm. He started wondering exactly what he had gotten himself into.

(1) Lieutenant Colonel Robert M. Stillman was one of two Group COs until he was wounded during a mission over Ijmuiden, Holland and became a POW May 17,1943.

(2) Colonel Baskin R. Lawrence Jr. was one of 3 COs of the 482 Bomb Group. The others were Colonel Howard Moore & Lt. Col. Clement W. Bird.

(3)Lt. Col. Stillman was a POW in LuftStalag 3 in Sagan in Poland.