Chapter 27 --- A Hogan Tale

Hogan smiled a 'I told you so' smile on his face as he gazed at his men after Sergeant Wilson, the camp medic, had departed. The examination proved that neither Hogan nor his back had suffered any ill effects because of Koch. He sat at the table drinking coffee with his men and Sergeant Randall. Hogan noticed Randall seemed uncomfortable being in his presence. Putting down his coffee cup, he looked at the young sergeant.

"Sergeant Randall, what's troubling you?"

Randall licked his dry lips as he glanced first at Hogan's men before looking at the Colonel. "Sir, I feel badly about what happened to you with Von Strasser. If it hadn't been for me you wouldn't have gotten hurt."

Hogan stared into his coffee cup. "No real harm done, sergeant. We've dealt with nutty Krauts before. And while it's true that this Von Strasser was crazier than the others we've met, I've been assured I will have no permanent scars on either my chest or my face. So don't apologize because you have nothing to apologize for. Nothing at all. Understand?"

"Yes, sir, Colonel. But...."

"No buts, sergeant. It's over and Von Strasser's dead. No apologies needed. Okay?" He let a smile appear.

Randall smiled slightly even though he still felt guilty. "Yes, sir."

Just then, the barracks door open and Olsen poked his head inside. "Staff car coming in, Colonel. Could be Burkhalter."

Hogan, LeBeau, Newkirk and Carter all got up and gathered at the door watching as the sleek, black staff car pulled to a stop in front of the Kommandantur. A guard saluted as he held open the back passenger door allowing Burkhalter to climb out. The General saluted hastily and marched up the steps of the Kommandantur.

"Well, I guess I better get over there," Hogan admitted with a smirk. "I can't trust Klink to keep his story straight." He and the others turned their heads in the direction of the double bunk upon hearing the sound of the lower bunk rising and the ladder dropping. Baker climbed up the ladder and stepped over the bedframe and into the barracks. He struck the hidden mechanism and watched the lower bunk drop down. Baker noticed the hopeful expression on Hogan's face and sadly shook his head in the negative.

"Kinch is relieving me, Colonel," he said. "Sorry. Nothing yet."

Hogan sighed, knowing what now must be done. He closed the barracks door. "I can only give them twenty-four hours more to find that documentation Heisler had on us, but not a minute longer. It's risky enough for us to remain here as it is, but I can not and will not risk staying any longer than that. I want you men to pack up anything you want to take with you and be ready to leave in a moment's notice. But don't burn or destroy anything without hearing from me first. Is that understood?"

"Oui, mon Colonel," said LeBeau with narrowed eyes. "Are you saying we're going to close up shop, Colonel?"

"If we don't hear from London in twenty-four hours that's exactly what we're going to do. We can't risk it. We'll have to evacuate the camp as well. But as I said earlier, don't destroy of burn anything without speaking with me first." Hogan took a deep breath. "Now, I think I better get over to Klink's office before he gets himself shipped to the Russian front." Hogan opened the barracks door and was gone.

LeBeau, Baker, Carter and Newkirk all looked at each other, concerned.

"What are we going to do now?" asked Baker.

"We do what the Gov'nor said," added Newkirk, glumly. "We pack up what we want to take and get ready to evacuate."

Burkhalter smiled at Hilda who was seated at her desk in the waiting room, typing. She smiled sweetly in return even though, in reality, she disliked the General. Getting up, she opened Klink's office door. Klink looked up.

"Herr Kommandant. General Burkhalter is here to see you." She stood aside and allowed Burkhalter to pass into the office before closing the door leaving the two men alone.

Klink stood up, saluting. He forced a smile to his face. "General Burkhalter, what a pleasure that you came." He helped the general off with his coat and hung his coat and cap on his coat-tree. "Would you like some refreshment after your long trip here, sir?"

"Klink, I'm not in the mood for a drink. I had to reschedule a staff meeting to come here after your phone call about some plot involving the SS to replace you as Kommandant here."

"It's not some plot, Herr General. It's true. Every word I told you on the phone was the absolute truth."

"Before you begin, Klink, who was the prisoner you mentioned was going to be killed in this plot?"

Just then the door opened and Hogan strolled in. "Hope I'm not too late. Hiya, General."

Burkhalter gazed at Hogan with an open mouth before looking at Klink again. "Don't tell me. Klink, it couldn't be Hogan could it?" Burkhalter looked towards the heavens after he saw Klink slowly nod his head. He pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment before looking at the Kommandant. "Suppose you start at the beginning, Klink, and tell me exactly what happened here."

Hogan quietly sat down in a chair near the door, resting his crutches against the wall space between the door and the chair. He crossed his legs and waited.

"Well, Herr General, it all began a few days ago when we received three new prisoners. A Captain Davidson, a Sergeant Randall and a Sergeant Mitchell. Everything was going smoothly until an SS Major named Von Strasser showed up unannounced. The minute he got here he began taking over the camp and manhandling the prisoners, especially Sergeant Randall. Claimed the sergeant was responsible for the death of his brother of which there was no proof according to the Major. But because the sergeant was caught in the same area as the Major's brother, he assumed he was guilty."

"Was he guilty, Klink?" asked Burkhalter, hands clasped in his lap.

Klink shook his head nervously. "In my opinion, Herr General, no he wasn't. I believe the Major was on what I believe is called a fishing expedition."

"I see," Burkhalter interjected. "Continue with your narrative."

"Well, whenever Von Strasser interrogated Sergeant Randall, Colonel Hogan had to be present since he is the Senior POW officer. That was when the Major turned his anger on Hogan instead. He even threatened him with a straight razor, Herr General."

Burkhalter turned his thick neck to allow himself to see Hogan and noticed the bandage on the American's cheek for the first time. "Is that how you got the injury to your face, Hogan?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," Hogan replied as he clasped his hands around his knee. "And I have another two on my chest and a nick on my throat thanks to the Major."

"Tell me, Hogan. Why did this Von Strasser turn his anger on you all of a sudden? Do you have any idea?"

"Yes, sir, I do. I believe he intended to kill me because I discovered the plan to frame the Kommandant here and take his place."

"Why do you say that, Hogan? Do you have any proof of what you're saying?"

"No sir. I only have what I overheard."

"And what was that, pray tell."

"Well, it seems that this Von Strasser was working under an SS Major named Heisler who wanted Kommandant Klink and me both framed for whatever so that I would be arrested either by the SS or the Gestapo and gotten out of the way so they could then proceed with their plan to frame the Kommandant."

"And just how did you uncover this plan against the Kommandant, Hogan?"

"It was completely by accident, General. I overheard a conversation between Von Strasser and one of the Colonel's guards, Corporal Koch. I'm assuming that this corporal must've decided on his own to kill me instead of having me framed and arrested. I'm also assuming he must've thought that this Von Strasser was sent to spy on him or something and decided on his own to kill the Major and me, and then frame the Kommandant for both deaths."

"In fact, Herr General, " Klink interjected. "This Von Strasser and Corporal Koch tried to kill Colonel Hogan by rigging a car in the motorpool and then had it head straight at him. Captain Davidson saw it and pushed Hogan out of the way in time, but was struck and killed himself by the car."

Burkhalter looked at Hogan who shifted in his chair. "Is this true, Hogan?"

"Yes, sir, it is. If it hadn't been for the captain, I'd be dead instead of sitting here now."

Burkhalter sighed wearily. "Where is Major Von Strasser now, Klink?" he asked.

"He was shot and killed by Corporal Koch, sir," said Klink nervously. "See, the Major took Colonel Hogan to an empty barracks to uh...teach him a lesson so to speak with a straight razor. I went to try and stop him with my sidearm but couldn't make myself shoot an SS Major. So, I left and came back here instead."

Burkhalter leaned forward in his chair. "You mean, Klink, you left you Senior POW officer to be mutilated with a straight razor by an SS officer?"

"It wasn't the Kommandant's fault, General," Hogan quickly added. "The Kommandant hadn't been feeling well for a few days and was under the influence of cough medicine at the time. That was why he couldn't shoot his gun, sir. But Corporal Koch arrived right after the Colonel left and shot the Major."

"I see. And where is Corporal Koch now?"

"He's dead as well, sir," said Klink. "He discovered Hogan and I were onto him and that I had called you and decided to escape."

"And he took me as a hostage and ordered Sergeant Schultz to drive the three of us out of camp. But he was shot by Corporal Langenscheidt."

Just then, the Kommandant's door burst open and an excited Sergeant Schultz and Corporal Langenscheit entered. Schultz was holding several papers in his hand. Both men hurriedly saluted Klink and Burkhalter.

"Herr Kommandant," Scultz began. "Corporal Langenscheidt and I searched Corporal Koch's personal effects as you ordered us to, and we found these inside one of his boots in his locker." He handed the papers to Klink.

Klink examined the papers. "Donnerwetter!" he exclaimed. He looked at the General and handed the papers to him. "Seems Corporal Koch was in radio contact with this Major Heisler while he was here."

"Something important, Colonel?" asked Hogan innocently.

Klink turned towards the American. "Yes, Hogan. Those papers are radio transmissions between Corporal Koch....I mean Captain Koch and Major Heisler outlining the plan to frame you and me and for Von Strasser to take over as Kommandant of Stalag 13."

Both of Hogan's eyebrows shot up. "Wow!" was all he could say. "Did these papers contain anything else?"

"Yes. There are also orders from Heisler to Koch that you were to be killed along with Von Strasser if the plan was uncovered and frame me for both deaths. How diabolical!"

Burkhalter, folding the papers, tucked them inside his jacket. He glanced at Schultz and Langenscheidt. "Corporal Langenscheidt, you are to be commended to your heroic action in saving your sergeant."

"Danke, Herr General," replied Langenscheidt.

Don't forget Schultz, General," Hogan tossed in.

"Why Schultz, Hogan?"

"Well, if it hadn't been for him stalling Koch as he did, Langenscheidt wouldn't have been able to shoot him, now would he?"

Sighing, Burkhalter again looked at the fat sergeant. "Sergeant Schultz. You are to also be commended for your actions in keeping a traitor from escaping."

"Danke, Herr General," Schultz replied coming sharply to attention.

Nobody except Schultz saw Hogan wink at the fat sergeant who grinned at the American.

Burkhalter slowly got to his feet. Schultz helped him on with his coat and handed him his cap. Burkhalter let out a deep breath. "I must inform Berlin of this matter, Klink. And there will be an investigation even though for the most part, I consider the matter closed except for finding this Major Heisler and bringing him to justice for crimes against the Luftwaffe." He put his cap on his head and saluted Klink, Schultz and Langenscheidt. He only stared at Hogan who gave him a sloppy salute. Burkhalter then exited the office.

Hogan grabbed his crutches and slowly got to his feet. He approached Klink's desk as the Kommandant slowly sat down in his chair.

"Herr Kommandant," Schultz said softly. "Do you think the General bought the story?"

"Of course he bought it. He has no choice but to believe it," Hogan replied as he poured four glasses of schnapps from Klink's decanter. He handed one to Langenscheidt, Schultz and Klink before picking up the last one for himself.

"What are we drinking to, Colonel Hogan?" asked Schultz, curious.

Hogan mulled it over for a few minutes before he answered. "How about we drink to the end of a nightmare."

Nobody disagreed with him. All four men downed their drinks in one gulp before putting the empty glasses on Klink's desk.

The brief celebration was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in," Klink said loudly.

The door opened and Kinch looked in. "Excuse me for interrupting, Kommandant. But Colonel Hogan is needed in the barracks for a moment. One of the men wishes to talk with you."

Hogan caught the hidden message. Sighing, he gave Klink a sloppy salute before turning and starting to leave the office.

"I hope it's nothing serious, Hogan," said Klink, concerned.

"I won't know until I speak with him, sir. But let me offer my congratulations, Kommandant, on surviving Von Strasser's attempt to take over Stalag 13." He and Kinch both hid their grins until they left the office and Kinch had closed the door behind them.