A/N:We're back with Hogan for this chapter. Thanks again for all the reviews and alerts.
Movies Are Your Best Escape - 3
Once dinner in Klink's quarters was over we hurried back to develop the film that Newkirk and LeBeau had taken of the contents of General von Kaplow's briefcase. Once the negatives were ready, I examined them through a magnifying glass.
We had hit the jackpot. The documents turned out to be the plans for Germany's Fourth Army Group. Everything was in there: attack plans, air support, supply lines, the works. Having this information could turn the tide of the entire war. The problems was, how best to get the film to London?
Obviously, it would make sense to send it with our two downed British fliers, but getting them out of the camp and to the coast would be tricky. Currently there was too much activity in the area to smuggle them from the tunnel.
But, what if they could leave the camp openly, in a staff car?
I quickly thought of a plan that I hoped would at least confuse the Germans long enough to get the airmen and film safely to the coast.
And, where best to begin the confusion? Our friendliest enemy Sergeant Schultz, of course.
The first part of the plan was a lecture on basic Russian words, delivered by me and timed to be interrupted by Schultz. I fed him a bunch of "rumors" of the advancing Allied and Russian lines, along with dire descriptions of Hamburg in ruins and Berlin in a shambles. Before long, Schultz was an eager student in my Russian class.
After the conclusion of the crash-course in Russian, I approached Schultz with the next stage of my plan.
"So glad you decided to join us, Schultz," I said as I clapped him on the back, "knowing Russian could be a big help to you during the court hearings, you know."
"Court hearings?" Schultz repeated nervously.
"Well, you know, in case any prisoners decide to claim mistreatment, or violations of the Geneva convention...there might need to be some sort of official tribunal after the dust settles. Probably just a formality."
"But, but, but who would accuse ME?" stammered Schultz, "I always treat you well!"
"Oh, I know Schultz. I'd hate to see such a thing happen to you...Say, why don't I have Kinch write up a little document that we can all sign declaring you innocent of wrong-doing? That would go a long way to clearing you of any charges."
Schultz was very excited about the idea and agreed immediately. I got Kinch to grab a notebook and started dictating a statement to him:
"We, the undersigned POWs of Stalag 13, certify that Sergeant Schultz has been a humane and considerate guard of this camp. We ask that he be treated accordingly when the Allies occupy Stalag 13. Type that up and have everybody sign it," I instructed Kinch.
"Will do," confirmed Kinch.
"Schultz, you like that?" I asked.
"Beautiful, tovarich," Schultz said, using his newly-learned Russian word for friend. "I could cry," he finished, and it looked to be the truth.
I hate this war. Schultz and I should be friends, there's really not a mean bone in his entire, rotund body. Well, the sooner we can end this, the sooner we will truly be friends.
I knew it would take no time at all for Schultz to spread our rumors throughout the camp, and sure enough, only a few hours later I spied him talking to Klink. I was too far away to hear what was said, but I saw Schultz reluctantly hand over our signed declaration to Klink. Klink looked at it and proceeded to berate Schultz, then sent him away. Schultz went to leave, then turned back and said something, pointing at his letter and was snapped at yet again. I presumed he was asking to have it back and was refused.
No matter, I thought, I'll be happy to repeat the process if we need to do so.
I lingered, out of sight, to watch Klink's reaction to Schultz's "news." He stood there for a few moments looking over the paper, while I tried to guess his thoughts. I had signed my name first, in large "John Hancock" style, though I doubted Klink would understand the reference. Klink stood there, shoulders slumped, reading over the document. Once he finished looking it over he raised his head and looked over to our barracks, with an oddly sad and wistful expression. He glanced back over the paper again, then carefully tucked it inside his coat and made his way slowly back into the Kommandantur, his head bowed in thought or worry.
Looks like he's taking it seriously...now for the next step...
Later that afternoon, Kinch's voice could be heard echoing through the camp announcing an important speech by "our beloved Führer" at 21:00. Kinch was very proud of the sophisticated system he had set up to interrupt German radio and pose as an announcer from Radio Berlin.
I must remember to congratulate the superintendant of Detroit's public schools on their excellent German language program when I get back home.
It sounded like Kinch was really enjoying his opportunity to use his excellent German. I knew that every German in the camp would be listening later to Newkirk doing his Hitler impersonation. I scheduled a meeting with Klink for shortly before that time, in the hopes that I could listen to it with Klink and see if our plan was going to work.
I met with Klink at the appointed time, with a story about how the prisoners wanted to start up an orchestra. I had learned that Klink was susceptible to flattery, and I knew just how to get his interest and sympathy.
"We'd love to have you as first violinist, sir," I said in a tone halfway between pleading and eagerness.
"Well, I don't know, I - " began Klink, but I could tell he was intrigued as he took a few steps away to hide his pleased smile.
"I mean, the men are insisting, sir," I pressed as I followed him.
"I'm flattered," admitted Klink.
I continued, "I mean, of course we'd love to have you as soloist, especially at our first concert."
"Let me think it over," said Klink, but he sounded mostly persuaded.
"I mean, nothing elaborate, maybe four or five numbers, ending with, uh, Stars and Stripes Forever?"
It was a very subtle suggestion, but I wondered how he'd react. Klink looked merely puzzled.
"That's an unusual request," he said.
He then looked at his watch, "Oh! It's almost time for the Führer's speech," he said, making his way back to his desk and the radio he had there. "You may stay and listen to it, Colonel Hogan, if you wish."
"Thank you, sir," I said, immensely pleased, "I, uh, wouldn't want to miss this."
Or your reactions to it...
Klink switched on the radio just in time to catch the last of Kinch's introduction of Hitler - as played by Newkirk.
Klink looked at me a little apologetically as he half-heartedly joined in the applause coming from the radio.
So, obviously not a true believer, then, as I strongly suspected, but feels the need to keep up a loyal appearance. Good to know.
Klink and I crowded each other in front of the radio speaker. I was glad of the excuse to press close to him, so that I could feel his bodily reactions to the speech. I found myself resisting an urge to drape an arm companionably over his shoulders, as I would with one of my men. Sometimes it was hard to remember that Klink was an enemy.
The man confuses me, even after months! He's vain, touchy, and fussy, and yet has a certain warmth and sensitivity at times that can be disarmingly charming. But he's so guarded and uptight, as if he's afraid to reveal something. I wonder if he has Jewish ancestry? No, not possible in the Prussian aristocracy.
There were rumors that many of the old, aristocratic families in Germany were less than pleased by Hitler's regime. Maybe Klink fell into that category. Perhaps it would be possible to carefully cultivate Klink into an Allied sympathizer on that front. Perhaps he was already an agent for the Underground.
No, the man doesn't have the nerve or brains for that, and we would know about it. At least, I hope our information wouldn't be that incomplete.
So, Klink and I pressed against each other in our odd camaraderie and listened to Newkirk's jumbled tirade that mentioned "rumors" that should be ignored "even if true" and "negotiations" that will be a surprise and exhortations to "tighten your belts", and "work hard" and ended with "keep smiling."
Klink reached out and switched the radio off, clearly in a state of shock.
To be continued...
A/N: Next chapter will be Klink's POV...Please review! Pretty please?