Now Hogan himself fought back the panic. Not only was the tunnel filled in. But the emergency pistols, maps, coffee pot and the rest of their gear were gone as well. Someone had closed down their operation and turned Stalag 13 back into a prison. And a woman's prison under SS command at that.

Just when things couldn't get any worse they did as Carter called from the door. "Staff car coming in. Looks like Hochstetter." A moment later she announced, "Second car coming in - looks like, like - it's Burkhalter."

"Great, and without the coffee pot we might as well be deaf and blind."

Looking around the room, a grim faced Kinch asked softly. "What do we do now Colonel?" A badly shaken Hogan replied. "I don't know Kinch. But I'd give a lot to know what's going on in that office right about now." Hearing angry sputtering in French, she turned. "What's wrong Le Beau?" "Our supplies Coronel, and all that I use to cook with, they are gone like everything else?"

Hogan echoed the general groan. "Everything?" "Oui mon Coronel, everything."

Her thoughts anything but ladylike, Hogan leaned on the small stove side table. "So in addition to being trapped in this God forsaken hole, with that witch. We've got no choice but to eat in the mess hall. Anybody's got any suggestions, now would be a really good time?"

Sir, ah ma'am." "What Carter?" "Maybe we could get into the tunnels from one of the other barracks?"

"And just how do we get there looking like this? In these dresses, we'd stick out on the grounds like a sore thumb." Then turning to face Carter. "And don't forget that most of those guys haven't seen a woman in a long time." Newkirks's jaw dropped. " Colonel you can't mean -"

"I do mean, and I wish I didn't. But assuming one of us did get to another barracks. There's no telling what we'd find, or what kind of reception we'd get when we got there. Oh, and don't forget that we're supposed to be being watched at all times. We're lucky there aren't guards in here right now."

"What about Wilson Colonel, being camp medic, he could check things out for us." "Good idea Kinch. Carter, check the door, see if Shultz is still around somewhere. Everybody look around, see if we've got anything left to bribe him with."

Knocking on the door a couple of minutes later, a shaken Shultz fearfully asked "Is everybody decent in there?" "Come on in Shultz, We're decent." Hogan replied. "You wanted to see me Colonel Hogan?"

"Sit down Shultz." Seating himself at the table Shultz replied. "Already I do not like the sound of this." "Neither do we, and we're hoping maybe you can help us figure it out."

"I know nothing." Shultz started to stand but was gently guided back to his seat. "Please Colonel Hogan, it is a terrible thing that has happened to you. But about this, I really do know nothing."

"What happened to Klink Shultz?" "Please Colonel Hogan, I have a family. Kinder I'd like to see again." "We have families too Shultz, and I really can't see us going home to them like this."

Folding her arms, Le Beau looked the terrified sergeant in the eye. "You know nothing. Well I'll tell you something. Whoever did this to us cleaned us out.. Everything, our chocolate bars, my strudel pans and spices, and all the other goodies you like so much. It is gone, all of it, gone."

"But, but who would do such a thing?" Hogan replied. "That's what we want to know Shultz. Now tell us everything you know about that new Kommandant. Who is she? Where did she come from? And while you're at it, tell us what happened to Colonel Klink?"

"Colonel please, the first I know of anything was when I came in this morning for roll call."Grabbing a handful of shift Hogan replied softly. "We're not blaming you Shultz. You couldn't have done this to us if you wanted to. Now about the new Kommandant."

"All I know is that she came in the night. Nothing more."

"Well, she had to have orders authorizing her to take command. Who besides Colonel Klink would have seen them? And where would they be now?"

"Please Colonel, I do not know." "Shultz!" "Alright, I found out about her at roll call this morning just like you did. Colonel Klink and Captain Gruber would have seen her orders. But nobody has seen either of them today or told me anything about anything. Please Colonel Hogan, may I go now?"

Hogan put a reassuring hand on the now terrified Sergeant's shoulder. "Alright Shultz, but just remember that who or what ever did this to us could just as easily do it to you. So if you know anything else?" He let the question dangle. "They wouldn't, would they?"

"I hope not. But Shultz, would you mind telling Sergeant Wilson I'd like to see him?"

"Sergeant Wilson? Why? Is someone sick?"

"Well, to tell you the truth Shultz, I don't really know. But all of us have been feeling a bit strange today." Standing Shultz snorted, "a bit strange? Why am I not surprised? Okay, I'll tell Sergeant Wilson you want to see him. But please Colonel Hogan, do not make trouble for me with the SS. They are not nice people." "Wouldn't dream of it Shultz."

Meantime in the Kommandants's office, Ann waited smugly while first a wide eyed General Burkhalter, then Major Hochstetter read her "orders." The men looked at each other, then to Ann in disbelief. A few moments later, the normally blustering Hochstetter cautiously took the plunge.

"Never have I seen such orders Frau Standartenfurher, they are most unusual." "Are you questioning them Major? Perhaps you did not notice who's seal and signature they bear? "

Burkhalter moved to defuse the dangerous situation. "He noticed Standartenfurher, as did I. But as he said, these are most unusual orders." "Are you questioning them Herr General?"

"Seals and signatures can be forged, Standartenfurher." He left the sentence dangling.

"I understand Herr General, it is not my orders you question, but their authenticity."

"Exactly."

"I can assure you Herr General that these orders are quite genuine. But if you wish to call Berchtesgarten and ask the Furher to verify them. You are more than welcome to use my phone to do so."

Burkhalter cringed at the very thought. "I don't think we need to bother Berchtesgarten. I have a copy of my commission in my pay book. It too bears the Furher's signature, so comparing the two should tell us what we need to know." Reaching into his uniform tunic he brought out the pay book, then handed it and Ann's orders to Hochstetter. "Major."

Hochstetter's face turned decided pale as he compared the seals and signatures. Finally he looked up and croaked, "Herr General." "Yes Major, what is your conclusion? Are her orders real?"

Visibly disquieted, Hochstetter struggled to get out the words. "The Standartenfurher's orders Herr General. They are, they are real." Stunned Burkhalter slowly replied. "Are you sure Major? Are you telling me that she really is here on special assignment for the Furher himself."

"Yes Herr General, she is."

Taking the papers from Hochstetter's trembling hands, Burkhalter turned to Ann. "Your orders Frau Standartenfurher. I trust that you understand our caution?" "Of course Herr General. Such orders as mine would have to be extremely rare. And one can never be too cautious with such spies and saboteurs as the Papa Bear running around freely."

"You know of Papa Bear Frau Standartenfurher?" Hochstetter cautiously ventured. "I know everything Major, including the record of your miserable failure to kill or capture him." Seeing Hochstetter cringe, Ann decided to twist the knife. "A record of failure so miserable in fact, that some in Berlin might be wondering if you really do want to rein in this menace?"

Visions of a firing squad, his own, planted themselves firmly before Hochstetter's eyes. "But I assure you Frau Standartenfurher, I dream of nothing else." "Then stop dreaming about it, and do it Major." Ann growled in reply. "I would prefer that you bring him in alive and in condition to talk. But one way or the other that menace must be stopped. And if you cannot, or will not do it. I can assure you, that I will find someone who can. Do you understand me - Major" Fear rang in Hochstetter's voice as he sprang to attention and replied. "Javohl Frau Standartenfurher."

Though thoroughly enjoying Hochstetter's misery, Burkhalter decided to cut him a break. "Standartenfurher Muller, if I understood your orders correctly. You are here to engage in some secret work for the Furher. And that you are authorized to give orders in his name. Orders that persons of all ranks are required to obey, without question, as though they came directly from the Furher's mouth. And that for the duration of your mission you are answerable only to him."

"You understand correctly Herr General. And my first order, to both of you, is that you will speak to no one about either my work or presence here without clearing it with me first."

"Understood Frau Standartenfurher. Now how can we be of assistance to you?"

.Author's note: Standartenfurher was the SS equivalent of Colonel.

To give credit where credit is due. Ann's orders were inspired by British novelist Harry Patterson aka: Jack Higgins who, in the mid 1980's, used a similar device in several of his works set during WW2. I highly recommend him and them for those who like WW2 or Cold War spy and adventure novels.

A touch of history - There were a fair number of security agencies and services SS, SD, Gestapo, etc. under the Nazi regime.. And the relationships between them were complex and confusing with a fair amount of overlapping membership. These got even more so after most were merged into the Reich Home Security Office (RSHA) under Himmler in 1939. And they were still evolving at wars end.

Rather than attempt to sort it all out, a scholarly endeavor likely worthy of a master's thesis. I've decided to follow Hollywood's example and merge them. And to ignore, as they often have, the fact that the SS itself did not admit women, though they did have an SS Auxiliary (Helferin) Corps that did.