Chapter 7---Hogan's Alternate Plan

Hogan waited outside the cell as the Luftwaffe guard unlocked the door. He saw the young Corporal inside huddled on the bunk, his legs drawn up with his arms wrapped around his legs, his chin resting on his knees. Hogan sensed the terror in the young man as he waited for the door to be opened. When it was, he walked inside and waited as the guard closed the cell door and lock it behind him.

"Just call out when you're ready to leave, Colonel," the guard whose name Hogan couldn't recall said.

"I will. Thanks." Hogan waited for the guard to leave before he approached the young Corporal. "Grossman, you all right?" he asked. "I'm sorry I couldn't be here sooner."

"That's okay, Colonel," Grossman said in a small voice. He looked as if he was about to cry he was so scared. He saw Hogan put a finger to his lips indicating for him to be quiet as he quickly checked the interior of the cell looking for listening devices. Hogan didn't think he'd find any, but knowing the Gestapo, he wasn't about to take any chances.

The twenty-one-year-old Corporal watched the Colonel walk around the cell. Though still afraid, the terror he previously felt had diminished some with the appearance of his commanding officer. Grossman had only been assigned to Stalag 13 for three weeks after being shot down during a bombing raid over Hammelburg. When Grossman first met Colonel Hogan, he didn't reveal very much about himself as he didn't trust anybody least of all a Colonel who, he discovered, was the only officer in the entire camp, and an enlisted man's camp to boot. What was he doing here? Why was he here? After being assigned to barracks four, Grossman still kept to himself; not just because he still didn't trust anybody, but because he had a secret he didn't want anybody to know about mainly out of fear. The secret? Grossman was Jewish. And having heard some of the horror stories about what was done to Jewish prisoners in prisoner-of-war camps, he decided to keep to himself for now until he could learn more about Stalag 13 and hopefully escape.

Then one day, Grossman was sitting outside barracks four when another prisoner who introduced himself as Corporal David Goldring from barracks seven, sat down beside him.

"You must be the new guy," Goldring said in a friendly tone. "Welcome to Stalag 13."

"How long have you been here?" Grossman asked.

"A year. It's not so bad. Actually, things are pretty good here; better than in other camps. We have Colonel Hogan to thank for most of it. He's the greatest."

It was then Grossman discovered Hogan was assigned to Stalag 13 after being shot down in a bombing raid in Hamburg. He also found out that Hogan was not only very easy to talk to, but put the needs of the men first and would not allow the French, British, negro and Jewish prisoners to be segregated. It was then Grossman found out the Senior POW officer was Jewish himself. Grossman decided to seek out Hogan and talk with him. He found out quickly that everything he had heard about Hogan was true; and before he knew it, Grossman had told Hogan his entire life story. He soon met other Jewish prisoners as well as other prisoners, and Hogan made sure he was included in as many religious observances as possible given their situation.

Satisfied there were no listening devices, Hogan sat down beside Grossman.

"How are you being treated, Corporal? Any problems I should be made aware of?" asked Hogan.

"No sir. I'm being treated okay. I mean, I haven't been tortured or anything if that's what you mean." The Corporal rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the Colonel. "Sir, why did this Major Guthrie lock us all up? I mean, we didn't do anything, did we, sir?"

Hogan put a hand on Grossman's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "No, you and the others didn't do anything, Grossman. Guthrie is just being a bastard and trying to get to me by punishing the other Jewish prisoners in the camp. I'll do my best to try and get you and the others released as soon as I can. I promise."

Grossman sighed. "Colonel, don't let this Major Guthrie get to you, sir. It's okay. Don't give into him just to protect us. Promise me, sir."

"Don't worry about me, Corporal. It's my job to protect the men in my command. I have to leave soon as I only have an hour. But I promise to try and get you and the others out. Just hang in a bit longer." They talked a while longer about things, and by the time Hogan checked his watch, he noticed the hour was nearly up. He smiled at the young Corporal again. "Whatever you do, just don't give up."

"Don't worry about us, Colonel. We'll be all right. Whatever this Major's plan is, just don't let him force you into doing what he wants you to do."

Hogan smiled at the young man. "Don't worry. We're going to take care of Major Guthrie when this is all over. I promise you."

Kinch had unplugged the coffee pot when they heard the door to Klink's office close realizing the Colonel had left.

"That Major's something else," Kinch said shaking his head. "Claiming to be a member of the French underground."

"You have to admit one thing," Newkirk said. "The Gestapo is coming up with better cover stories."

"Maybe that's why London doesn't want Major Guthrie touched," said Carter. "It would make sense if he's undercover."

"Yeah maybe," Kinch replied. "Carter, you and Newkirk wait for the Colonel. I'm gonna contact London about this Captain Alain Rochet and see what they can tell us, if anything. Then I'll contact Tiger as well as the local underground. I'll be back." The three men left the small room. While Kinch disappeared down the tunnel, Carter sat on his bunk with an elbow on one knee and his chin resting on a fist, while Newkirk sat at the table and lit a cigarette. It wasn't long before Hogan entered the barracks. He looked around.

"Where's Kinch?" he asked.

"He's down in the radio room, Colonel," explained Newkirk, taking a drag on his cigarette. "Said to tell you he was gonna contact London and see what they have on this so called Captain. Then he's gonna contact Tiger and the local underground."

"Fine. I gather you fellas heard what was discussed then?"

"Yes, sir," said the Englander looking up at his commander. "Colonel, think that could be why London ordered us not to touch this guy?"

"Could be, Newkirk," replied Hogan as he poured himself a cup of warm left over coffee. "I'm going to need a lot of convincing though." Taking a sip of the dark brew, Hogan rested one foot on the bench and balanced on his other while resting both arms on the thigh of his bent leg. He took another drink of coffee. "If it turns out this guy's on the level about being with the underground, we've got a whole new ballgame."

"Colonel, how's Corporal Grossman doing?" asked Carter.

Hogan looked around at his demolition expert. "He's doing all right, Carter. He's mostly concerned this Major Guthrie is using him and the others as bait to trap us."

Carter let out a deep breath. "Did you tell him Guthrie might be an underground operative?"

Hogan took another drink of coffee. "No, and I don't intend to right now. That's also why I didn't ask Guthrie to release the men when he asked me what he could do to convince me he was telling me the truth. Too risky right now." As he emptied his coffee cup, the bunk in the corner rattled as the lower bunk rose and the ladder dropped. "Carter, watch the door." As Carter got up, Kinch could be seen emerging from below. Seeing Hogan, he struck the hidden mechanism and as the ladder rose and the bunk dropped over the opening, he approached the Colonel while reaching into his jacket pocket.

"Response from London, Colonel," Kinch said handing him a blue sheet of paper. Hogan, setting his empty cup on the table, took the page from Kinch and read it. His eyebrows arched.

"According to London, Captain Alain Rochet is a loyal member of the French underground and has been for the past two-and-a-half years. His last mission was to infiltrate the Gestapo for intelligence purposes and pass on any and all info to the Allies. Hasn't been heard from for two weeks. They want us to work with him, but not to blow his cover if at all possible." Hogan got to his feet, balled the paper and tossed it into the pot belly stove and watched it instantly burn to a crisp.

"Sounds like a VIP with the underground," Carter smirked looking over his shoulder.

"Carter, watch the door," Hogan reminded him.

"Yes, sir," Carter replied turning back to keeping watch.

"Colonel, according to the description London gave me," Kinch continued. "It fits Major Guthrie."

Hogan wrapped his arms around himself and looked at Kinch. "What about the local underground and Tiger?" he asked.

"The local underground verified London's information and their description of Rochet matches that of London's. When I contacted Paris, I had to leave a message for Tiger. I told them it was urgent we have an answer before 2100 hours our time tonight. They said we'd hear back within a few hours."

"What do you think, Colonel?" asked Newkirk eying his commander's face trying to get a read on what was going through Hogan's mind.

Hogan let out a deep breath. "Well, depending on what Tiger has to say, this Major Guthrie is either who he says he is, or, he's the most cunning antagonist we've ever been confronted by."

Several hours later the men had heard from Tiger who not only verified what everybody else had said, but added one additional piece of information: she had worked with Rochet about a month ago and he had been wounded by a knife during a struggle resulting in a still healing scar on the inside of his right forearm which ran from his elbow to his wrist. Kinch thanked her and then passed this info onto Hogan.

And now, some four-and-a-half hours before they had to meet with von Herwarth, Hogan and his crew sat around the table eating the grilled cheese sandwiches Carter had made for dinner and grimacing at the coffee made by Newkirk as LeBeau was locked up. They were discussing the information supplied by Tiger.

"What do you think, Colonel?" asked Newkirk who didn't have a problem with the coffee.

"Still not sure," Hogan replied taking a bite of his sandwich. "I need to meet with Guthrie again and get him to show me his forearm. If he has the scar Tiger mentioned…" he didn't finish and shook his head.

"If he has the scar are we gonna work with him, Colonel?" asked Kinch wanting to know what Hogan would do as it appeared Guthrie was who he said he was.

Hogan sighed. "There's one other thing that still bothers me. London said they hadn't heard from Rochet in two weeks. Why? We all know something's always happening with the Gestapo. It's never quiet with them. Until that question can be answered to my satisfaction I don't trust Guthrie, scar or no scar."

"But he's gonna expect you to give him an answer eventually, Colonel," said Kinch. "I mean, you can't put him off forever."

"And I don't intend to, Kinch. Gentlemen, there is going to be a slight change in tonight's mission. After dinner, I'm going to pay Guthrie a visit and have him show me his forearm. If he has the scar Tiger described, he and I will go to the rendezvous place alone." Seeing his men about to start an argument, he held up his hand. "However, it won't be the abandoned ball-bearing plant. While we're waiting for von Herwarth at the remains of the bombed out refinery three miles outside of town, Kinch, you, Carter and Newkirk will meet von Herwarth and bring him and his wife here."

"Major Guthrie's gonna be pretty mad at you when he finds out he's been tricked, sir," added Carter.

Hogan shrugged his shoulders. "If I play this right he won't know he's been tricked. But if he's trying to con us he'll control his anger at me. To blow up would only prove he's been lying."

Some time after dinner, Hogan left the barracks escorted by Sergeant Weber, making his way to the Kommandant's office where he found Klink and Guthrie in the Kommandant's office talking. Hogan sloppily saluted both men.

"Kommandant, Major."

"What is it, Hogan?" asked Klink. "It's late and the Major and I were about to leave."

"Well actually, Kommandant, I'm here to speak with the Major. If that's all right, sir?"

Klink appeared annoyed. "Hogan, can't this wait until…" he stopped when he saw Guthrie's face. He smiled nervously. "Of course, Hogan. I am going to turn in now, Major. Please feel free to take as long as you need to speak with Colonel Hogan." Getting to his feet, Klink quickly exited the office pulling the door closed behind him.

Now alone with the American, Guthrie motioned for Hogan to have a seat. "What can I do for you, Colonel? I trust you have a reason for wanting to see me?"

Hogan sighed as he sat down. "Yeah, I do. I've been thinking about what you told me. Remember what you said about if there was something you could do or say to prove you were telling me the truth?"

"Yes."

"There is. I remember hearing about a Captain Alain Rochet when I was captured after being shot down. Seems I heard from one of the prisoners who hasn't been here that long that he met the Captain about a month ago and that he had been injured in a fight and had a permanent scar on the inside of his right forearm from a knife."

Guthrie held up a hand stopping Hogan. "Say no more Colonel." He then shoved his right sleeve upward to his elbow revealing a jagged scar, still healing, on the inside of his forearm. Hogan studied it closely and could see it was not a fake. "Satisfied, Colonel Hogan?" Guthrie asked rolling down his sleeve.

"Looks painful, Major," Hogan said.

"Let me assure you it is, Colonel. I trust this satisfies your curiosity?"

Hogan sighed. "I'm satisfied, Major. But I had to be certain."

"I understand. Now, about von Herwarth."

"I've been contacted by this von Herwarth or at least someone claiming to be him. Says he needs to get out of Germany tonight. Wants to meet with me. I could use your help."

"That's why I'm here. But let me ask you something, Colonel."

"I won't answer any questions, Major. You either accept what I tell you or you're on your own."

"Very well. How are you going to get out of camp to meet with von Herwarth?"

"Well, that's where I need your help. He wants to meet outside the bombed out refinery three miles outside of town at 2230 hours tonight. But he claims he'll only meet with me." Hogan looked at his watch. "It's eight-thirty now. We need to leave camp at 2130 hours to get to the refinery."

Guthrie scratched his chin lost in thought for a few minutes. "That shouldn't be difficult, Colonel. I am staying in the guest quarters. Meet me outside at 2120 hours, my car is parked there. Is there a recognition code?"

"No. von Herwarth said he will be watching for me. But he said he will not wait very long, so we must be there by 2220 hours at the latest."

Guthrie glanced at his watch. "You'd better return to your barracks. I have some thinking to do if we're going to pull this off and there isn't a lot of time. Just be outside the guest quarters at 2120 hours waiting for me."

"I'll be there, Major," Hogan said getting up. "Until later." He quickly left the office and headed back to the barracks with his escort. "Good night, Sergeant Weber," Hogan said as he opened the door.

"Gute Nacht, Colonel Hogan," said Weber before he walked away.

Hogan saw three pairs of eyes looking at him in anticipation.

"He has the scar on his right forearm," Hogan said. "And he thinks I bought his story." He repeated the story he had told Guthrie. "Here's how it's going to go down. Kinch, you, Newkirk and Carter will leave camp at 2130 hours, stick to the woods, and head to the abandoned ball-bearing plant. Guthrie and I will leave here fifteen minutes later by car in the opposite direction to the bombed out refinery. I will keep Guthrie at the refinery from 2230 hours until 2430 hours. That should give you fellas enough time to meet von Herwarth and his wife, then bring them both back to camp without running into me and Guthrie. Plus you'll have extra time in case there are any problems like patrols. Any questions?" There were none. Hogan again checked his watch. "Okay. It's about 8:55pm. You guys better get ready to leave here and be careful."

Kinch, Carter and Newkirk got to their feet. "You be careful as well, Colonel," Newkirk told him. Seeing the look in their eyes told Hogan the others were thinking the same thing. Kinch hit the hidden mechanism; the lower bunk rattled as it rose and the ladder dropped. The trio disappeared below. With a deep sigh, Hogan got up and after walking over to the double bunk, struck the hidden mechanism and watched the ladder rise and the lower bunk drop over the entrance. With his thumbs hooked in the side pockets of his jacket, the Colonel let out a deep breath. He slowly walked back in the direction of the pot-belly stove and poured himself another half-cup of coffee and sat down. He took one sip and sat the cup on the table in front of him. Newkirk's coffee tasted bad enough hot, but warm it was even worse. Hogan got up and tossed the coffee down the sink before returning to the table. He ran his hands down his face and shook his head.

Hogan knew tonight was going to be dangerous enough as it was with one plan; but to have two plans working at the same time and one dependent on the other was going to be tricky and doubly dangerous. He believed his men could pull it off, but he would give anything to be leading them instead of being somewhere else. But he knew he was going out with a possible Gestapo agent with no backup. If anything went wrong on his end, he would be in serious trouble with nobody to help. Hogan suspected there was a possibility he might not survive this time. But he also believed his men would be all right because they would handle things should this be the end for him and get von Herwarth out of Germany. If the worse happened, they would mourn him, they would miss him, but in the end, they would carry on without him. Looking at his watch again he saw it was ten after nine. Getting up, Hogan quickly walked into his quarters, closed his door, and approached the wall near the head of the bunk. He slid it up to reveal a hidden compartment. Reaching inside, Hogan removed a pistol.

Checking it he found it was fully loaded and tucked it inside his inner jacket pocket before closing the panel and exiting his room. It was time for him to meet Guthrie.

Major Guthrie, checking his watch noticed it was nearing nine-fifteen. He opened the drawer of his nightstand, removed a pistol and after making sure it was loaded, tucked it in his inner coat pocket. This would be in addition to his sidearm. This way he would be certain not to be unprepared. Turning out his lamp, Guthrie headed towards the door to meet with Colonel Hogan.