Chapter 9---More Problems
Major Guthrie was in a foul mood as his car drove through the front gates of Stalag 13. He had been waiting outside the bombed out refinery for a little over two hours with the American without his quarry showing. A wasted evening, he thought pulling the car to a stop outside his guest quarters. Getting out, Guthrie walked around to the opposite side and opened the back right-hand passenger side door. "It's safe to get out, Colonel Hogan," he said irritatingly.
The blanket on the floor was thrown back and Hogan climbed out of the car and, standing before the Major, pulled down the ribbed bottom of his leather jacket, crush cap in his hand. "Too bad von Herwarth didn't show up tonight," he said smoothing his hair before putting his crush cap on his head and pushing it back. He put both hands on his hips. "So, what do we do now?"
Hogan could see the Major was a bit annoyed. "What do we do, Colonel?" Guthrie asked.
Hogan shrugged. "Well, yeah. I mean, I'm suppose to be working with you is what you said. So I'm assuming you have a plan as to where we go from here."
Closing the door and regaining control of himself, Guthrie clasped his hands behind him. "I did, didn't I?" He made a clucking sound with his tongue. "Let me give it some thought. I need to find out what happened and why our friend didn't show tonight. But you'd better get back to your barracks. It wouldn't do for you to be shot at this point before we get von Herwarth and the journal. Goodnight, Colonel."
"Goodnight, Major," Hogan replied with a smile as he walked away back in the direction of the barracks, making sure he kept to the shadows. Guthrie watched the American until he was out of sight.
"No indeed, Colonel Hogan, it wouldn't do at all if you were to be shot now," he muttered with disdain looking in the direction he had seen Hogan last before walking inside his own quarters.
Hogan quickly made his way to barracks two, his pulse racing a mile a minute. He had to know if his men were back and safe with the von Herwarths and the journal. That was all that mattered to him right now. Please let them be safe. Please! Hogan quickened his pace until he was almost running. He entered the barracks and just as quickly made his way in the dark to the corner double bunk, slapping the hidden mechanism. He and his men were use to making their way around in the dark so this was nothing new; and the other men in the barracks were use to Hogan and his men coming and going at all odd hours so they didn't stir at the sound of the bunk rising. Stepping over the bed frame, Hogan quickly climbed down the ladder and made his way to the changing room where he hoped they would be. It didn't take long before he could hear voices and he began to relax a bit. Turning the corner that would lead to the changing room, Hogan and his men spotted each other at the same time. Seeing his charges alive and apparently unharmed brought a smile to his face; and the same could be said for his team at the sight of their Colonel.
"Any problems?" Hogan asked.
Kinch got to his feet. "Yes and no, sir." He looked reluctantly at his commander, then at von Herwarth and back at Hogan. "Colonel, this is Werner von Herwarth and his wife Christina. Mr. and Mrs. von Herwarth, this is Colonel Hogan aka Papa Bear."
Hogan touched the bill of his cap glancing at Christina before shaking hands with her husband. "Sorry I couldn't meet you in person. Had an unexpected previous engagement I couldn't get out of." He put both hands on his narrow hips.
"It is quite all right, Colonel," von Herwarth answered putting an arm protectively around his wife's narrow waist. "Your men explained. I must say when we saw we were being taken to a prisoner-of-war camp we were a bit concerned to say the least. But after looking around we both have to admit what you have here is amazing."
"Yes it is, Colonel," Christina readily agreed. "If we hadn't seen this for ourselves, we wouldn't have believed such a thing could be possible."
"Keeps us out of trouble," Hogan quipped with a small grin. Folding his arms he turned his attention back to his second-in-command with eyes narrowed. "You said yes and no when I asked if there were any problems. What happened?"
Kinch hesitated for a moment. "Colonel, we don't have the journal." Seeing Hogan about to respond, held up a hand. "Von Herwarth told us he couldn't take a chance with it on him if he was caught so he hid it."
Hogan's eyes darkened as they turned to von Herwarth. "You hid it? We were told by London you would turn this journal over to us when we picked you up."
"And I will, Colonel, but not until my terms are met. If you can't than I'm afraid I cannot give you the journal. But it is in a safe place where only I know where it is. Those are my requirements and I'm afraid they are not subject to negotiation. Take it or leave it I'm afraid. But feel free to discuss it with London if you need to."
Hogan let out a deep breath. Anybody could tell he was more than a tad upset. He decided to let it all out. "Von Herwarth, let me tell you something and then maybe you'll have a true picture as to why you should give us this journal without attaching strings to it." He shifted on his feet. "Tonight, I was planning on meeting you and your wife. The reason I couldn't was because a Gestapo Major named Tice Guthrie has come to camp looking for you and your journal because he lost track of you in this area. He's locked up several of my men as a, shall we say, incentive, for me to work with him. He's already suspicious of us here." Hogan noticed the ever so slight change in the von Herwarths hearing the word 'Gestapo.' He continued with his narrative. "Tonight, I led him to the rendezvous but at a different location while my men met with you. But I don't know how many more times I can stall or send him in the wrong direction before he becomes suspicious. So I suggest whatever strings you're attaching be cut and you hand over this journal."
Von Herwarth let out a deep breath as he and Christina eyed each other. He then faced Hogan again. "Colonel, if there was any way I could agree I would hand it over without question, but I'm afraid I can't and must insist you meet my terms first or neither you or London will see that journal."
Hogan was becoming angry. Didn't von Herwarth understand he was playing with fire here? He had made an agreement with London and was he now trying to renege on it? Hogan studied the man standing in front of him. "Before I agree to anything, what are these terms of yours?"
Von Herwarth licked his suddenly dry lips. "I need you to get my wife out of Germany. Then and only then will I take you to where the journal is."
Hogan raised both eyebrows. "We're going to get both of you out of Germany as soon as…"
"You don't understand, Colonel Hogan. I want my wife gotten out of Germany first and as soon as possible. As soon as I know she is safely en-route to London, I will gladly hand over the journal."
"Why's it so important your wife be gotten out of Germany first and right away?" asked Kinch, suddenly suspicious.
Von Herwarth looked at Kinch. "Sergeant, my wife is expecting our first child. According to doctors, this may be our last chance to have one as we have been unsuccessfully trying for years. I don't know if I will survive what I'm about to do with this journal, but, if I should not, I will die happily knowing Christina and some part of me will continue on."
Kinch turned to his commanding officer waiting for his response. So far, the Colonel's face was unreadable.
Von Herwarth faced Hogan again. "Colonel, haven't you wanted a part of you to survive this war in the event you don't?"
When Hogan didn't respond his men turned their attention to their commander who seemed to be lost in thought. So lost in thought he began fingering the Star-of-David pendant in such a way it was just barely visible to those paying attention.
"Colonel?" asked Kinch, worried. "You all right?"
Von Herwarth caught sight of the pendant dangling from the chain around the Colonel's neck. His eyes widened in surprise.
"You're Jewish?" he asked with surprise.
Hogan's eyes focused on von Herwarth. "Excuse me?" he asked, momentarily not comprehending.
Von Herwarth pointed to the pendant. "You wear the Star-of-David, Colonel Hogan. You are Jewish, ja?"
"What of it, mate?" Newkirk said protectively of his commander. "You got a problem with that?" He was soon joined by Carter and Kinch who also stared at von Herwarth.
"Nein. You misunderstand, gentlemen. I am also of the Jewish faith as is Christina. I was surprised is all. I meant nothing by it. It's just with the last name of Hogan I thought…"
"I know," Hogan replied quietly. "I've heard it before." He sighed wearily. "Kinch, as London won't be receiving for several hours, after roll call in the morning, contact 'em and tell 'em there's been a change of plans. I need to know when they can arrange transportation to get Mrs. Von Herwarth out of Germany right away. By the way, how far along are you if I may ask?"
Christina looked at the American, curious. "About three-and-half-months. Why?"
Hogan sighed. "How far along you are might depend on the means of transportation we can use to get you out of Germany. Kinch, make sure you relay that info to London as well. After that, have Baker relieve you on the radio and get some sleep. He can let us know if our guests need anything. Newkirk?"
The Corporal looked at his commander. "Sir?"
"Have Wilson check out Mrs. von Herwarth to make sure she and the baby are all right and able to make the journey."
"Right away, Colonel." Newkirk headed in the direction of another tunnel that would take him to Wilson's barracks.
"Carter, when Newkirk gets back, I want both of you to make our guests comfortable as they may be here for a few days. And Carter, since we're without LeBeau's services right now, I'm afraid you're going to have to scrounge up something for them to eat. After our guests are comfortable and fed, turn in yourselves."
"Yes sir," said Carter.
Hogan looked at the von Herwarths. "We don't have much, but you're welcome to share what we have," he said with a smile.
"Danke, Colonel," Christina replied. Hogan smiled at her.
"Well, I'm gonna turn in. It's been a long day and night. Sergeant Baker will be down here so if you need anything tell him and he'll let me or one of my men know. We don't want to take a chance of this Major Guthrie finding you above ground."
"Danke, Colonel," said Christina, her bright blue eyes flashing with happiness as she rested a hand on her stomach.
"Just what's in this journal that's so important anyway?" asked Carter looking up from his seat on the bench. That question caused Hogan to look again at von Herwarth. He noticed the man pale as the color seemed to drain from his face. He saw him swallow hard.
"I'd rather not say right now, young man," von Herwarth told Carter. "But what I can say…." He focused his eyes directly on Hogan. "…it will rock you to your very core." He continued to look into Hogan's eyes with a haunted look in his own brown ones.
How that last sentence affected Hogan was unknown because his face remained impassive. But there was something in the American that told him whatever was in that journal had greatly shaken von Herwarth as well. All Hogan did was turn around and start in the direction of the ladder leading to the barracks, he paused in the doorway and then looked over his shoulder. "By the way, Mr. and Mrs. Von Herwarth…"
"Ja, Colonel Hogan?"
"Congratulations."
"Danke, Colonel. Danke."
Maintaining his smile, Hogan turned and continued towards the ladder leading to the barracks.
Back in the barracks, Hogan quietly maneuvered his way until he reached his quarters. He had heard the not-so-soft sounds of snoring and smiled sadly guessing there would probably be no sleep for himself. Closing the door to his quarters, he turned on the lamp and pulled out the chair from his desk and sat down. Placing his elbows on the desk, he rubbed his hands down his tired face. He then heard a gentle knocking on his door and immediately straightened up, moving around some papers. "Come in," he said.
The door opened and Kinch poked his head in. "Colonel, saw your light on longer than usual. You okay?"
"Yeah, just very tired. But got to put this work detail together for our fearless leader." Hogan checked his watch and saw the time. "Why aren't you asleep? It's late."
"Could say the same for you, sir? Can I come in?"
Sensing his second-in-command wanted to talk to him, Hogan sighed and shoved the papers aside. He clasped his hands together under his chin. "Sure, Kinch. What's on your mind?"
Kinch, entering the Colonel's private quarters closed the door behind him and quietly sat down on the lower bunk. "Colonel, you and I both know that work detail Klink wants isn't due for two days. You might feel better if you talk about it."
Hogan rested his forehead against his clasped hands. He really didn't want to talk about what was troubling him; it wasn't his men's job to listen to him and his problems, but him to listen to theirs. And besides, Kinch knew him so well and wouldn't let things simply drop. Shifting his head slightly he allowed one eye to be visible to the radioman.
"This entire situation bothers me, Kinch."
"How so, sir?"
"I think it started with being out with Guthrie that started it. The entire time I was worrying about you guys and scared that this entire mission was an elaborate plan by Guthrie and the Gestapo to trap us, von Herwarth and get the journal."
"That might still be the case," Kinch pointed out. "But we told you everything worked out just as you planned, sir."
"Yeah," Hogan said straightening up in his chair and let out a deep breath. "Except then we find out he doesn't have the journal with him and has hidden it who knows where."
Watching his commanding officer closely, Kinch got a sense there was something else. Something that Hogan might not be willing to disclose just yet.
"But I've handled psycho Gestapo before, right?" asked Hogan feigning a smile he didn't feel. "Why should this be any different?"
"Maybe because Guthrie isn't Hochstetter and he's possibly playing mind games with you and you don't know whether he's one of ours or one of theirs. How's that for starters?"
Hogan chuckled. "Not bad."
Kinch narrowed his eyes suddenly. "Don't ask me why, but I feel that's not what bothers you is it?"
After a quick look at Kinch, Hogan got up and slowly walked around the small room rubbing the back of his neck as if debating with himself over something. Finally, he stood still and wrapped his arms around himself. "Kinch, what I'm gonna tell you stays in here. I don't want the other guys feeling sorry for me or anything like that. Being in command I can't afford that."
"But sir, you are allowed to be human and to have feelings. Surely you don't think anybody here would begrudge you that?"
"No I don't. But it's just the way I want it. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Kinch replied even though he really didn't.
"It was something von Herwarth said a few minutes ago in the tunnel," Hogan said as he walked past Kinch with both hands stuck in the back pockets on his trousers.
"He said a lot of things, Colonel. Could you be more specific?"
"It was when he asked me wouldn't I want to have a part of me survive this war even if I don't. I have to admit I never gave it much thought until now"
"How could you or anybody else considering where we are and what we do here think about anything but getting through this war? It's just enough to stay alive with the kind of work we do."
"I know, Kinch. And you're right." He stopped walking and stood before Kinch. "But haven't you ever wondered what's going to happen when this is all over, providing we survive this craziness?"
Kinch shrugged. "I'll go home, find some young thing to get married to, and have a slew of kids. Maybe get a job where I can remain in electronics. How about you, sir?"
Hogan, arms wrapped around himself now, shrugged. "Only thing I know is I'll remain in the military. But that's not it." He could see his second-in-command was not following his lead. "I guess what I'm talking about is something more permanent; like having kids. Children. A family. I'm close to forty years of age and my best years are possibly behind me in terms of having a family so that a part of me will continue long after I'm gone."
"Colonel. Where's all this coming from?" Kinch got to his feet and put a hand on Hogan's shoulder. "What's eating you? I don't care if you are almost forty. Your best years are ahead of you. And believe me when I say you'll find the right one will come your way when you least expect it and before you know it, there'll be dozens of little Hogans running around. Maybe even you and Tiger will hook up after the war. You'll see."
"You think so?" Hogan asked with smirk. "But what if I die before the war ends? What if Tiger does? With what we do, every time one of us goes out on a mission there's always the chance it could be our last. If that happens, what part of me or any of us is there to carry on what we've started?"
"This all started when von Herwarth announced he and his wife were expecting their first child, isn't it?" Hogan's silence led Kinch to believe he might be right regarding his guess. He thought at last he was beginning to understand. "Right now, Colonel, you have all of that right here. You have me, Carter, LeBeau and Newkirk. Plus you have over 1,000 men in this camp who consider themselves your family. And sometimes we act like kids, especially Carter, Newkirk and LeBeau. But we are your family, sir, that is if you want us?"
For the first time since they all had returned, Kinch saw Hogan smile and laugh. "I guess I have been luckier than most commanders," he said. "And you're right about something. Some of you do act like little kids at times."
Kinch chuckled. "Think of it as pre-parental training, sir." He then became serious. "Also, you have something permanent to be carried on in the event that, you know, something should…happen. You have what you've started here. This operation is a part of you that will never die. It will some day end, but it will never die because all the men, women and families we've gotten out of Germany will remember us and you as giving them back their lives and saving them from God knows what."
Hogan, shaking his head could only chuckle. "Kinch, you always seem to know what I need to hear somehow. Thanks." He looked at his watch again. "It's really getting late. I suggest we all get some sleep. We've got work to do and I'm probably going to have to deal with Guthrie again."
"Goodnight, sir." Kinch turned and headed for the door. He paused with his hand on the doorknob and glanced over his shoulder seeing Hogan organize the papers on his desk. "You're not still going to make out that work detail tonight are you, Colonel?"
"No. Just want them in some semblance of order when I have to do the work tomorrow. Good night, Sergeant."
"Goodnight, sir." That said, Kinch walked out the room. Now alone, Hogan sighed and changed quickly into his pajamas. Turning off the lamp on his desk, he lay down in the darkness on the bottom bunk and clasped his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling.
The day of his twelfth birthday, Robert Hogan didn't feel much like celebrating. Only a few months prior his father left the family home and reported to duty, just where Robert didn't know. All he knew was that he missed his father terribly. So, on the day he should have been celebrating his twelfth birthday, young Robert Hogan was sitting outside his home, on the curb, with arms wrapped around his legs, staring into space. He did his best to keep his emotions under wraps because he didn't want anybody to know what he was feeling.
Occasionally one of the nationhood kids would ride by, see him watching them, and shout out "Hey Jew!" as they rode by on their bicycles. All young Robert could do was what his father had told him many times, and that was that he was going to hear these negative words tossed at him and he had to either develop a 'tough skin' and not let people know how he felt, and hopefully it would cause them to stop, or he could let them see how their words hurt him thus encouraging them to continue. The choice was up to him. Young Robert decided he would keep his emotions in check and from now on not let people know how much their words or actions hurt him. It was the least way he could pay homage to his father in case he didn't return. So, he ignored them as they rode by. He decided despite being only twelve, as he was the 'man' of the house, he can't be crying every time somebody hurt his feelings or said something he considered cruel and unfair. He would just keep his feelings hidden from now on.
Hogan shifted his position on the bunk as he fell deeper into sleep. "Ummmm," he murmured as he changed positions. But then the dream turned very odd and terrifying.
"Hey Jew!" somebody called out again in Hogan's direction. Except this time he was not a child, but an adult. And what made it worse, he was dressed in his Allied uniform standing outside the abandoned ball-bearing plant. And he was totally alone.
"Ummmm," Hogan began to toss and turn on his bunk.
"Hey Jew!" the voice repeated from behind him. Turning, Hogan spotted von Herwarth and Major Guthrie both standing and staring at him intently; Guthrie was holding a pistol pointing at the American.
"Von Herwarth, I thought you wanted to get out of Germany? And Major, I thought you were on the side of the Allies? What's going on? What's happening?"
Von Herwarth chuckled. "Get out of Germany? You mean you actually believed that story about me hiding a journal and refusing to hand it over until you got my wife out of Germany? Shame on you, Colonel. Christina wasn't even my wife. She was just some woman I know. It was all part of an elaborate plan by Major Guthrie to expose your operation, Colonel. There never was a journal. Besides, I fought in defense of Germany and for my Fuhrer. Why should I want to go to England?" He burst out laughing as Hogan could only stare at him.
"No," he muttered repeatedly. "This can't be true."
"Oh but it is, my dear Colonel Hogan," Guthrie sneered. "I told you Major Hochstetter went about this the wrong way. I knew I could get you into my trap if I made the bait tempting enough. And here you are. Just like a moth drawn to a flame."
"No, no," Hogan continued saying and shaking his head. "Wha…what are you going to do with me? Where are my men? What have you done with them?"
"Your men are all back at camp, Colonel. But not to worry. When I'm done with you, I shall be taking the six of them to a labor camp where they will spend the remainder of the war or however long they live. Whichever comes first so to speak. I'm not interested in the other men."
A length of rope suddenly appeared in Guthrie's other hand. He tossed it to von Herwarth who caught it. "You know what to do with it, Werner," he said. "Colonel, you will turn around and put your arms behind you crossing your wrists, bitte."
Still dazed, Hogan reluctantly did as he was ordered. As he felt the cold steel of the handcuffs clamped on his wrists, his mind was racing as to come up with a plan how to extricate himself from this mess. But he found himself unable to come up with a single thing; his mind just wouldn't work for some reason. He felt somebody grab his arm and jerk him around; it was Guthrie. He also saw that the rope had been tossed over a large tree branch with one end being tied securely to a downed tree behind the Major; the other end was a noose.
"I imagine you know what we are going to do with you, Colonel?" Guthrie smirked tucking his weapon into it's holster. Hogan didn't answer. "We are your judge, jury and executioner."
Hogan started violently tossing and turning, clutching the blanket so tightly his knuckles were turning white. "Ummmm."
Without knowing where it came from, Hogan found himself standing on a stool with the noose snugly around his neck.
"Any final words, Colonel Hogan?" asked von Herwarth with a smirk.
Hogan found his mind still a complete blank and his mouth so dry he couldn't speak even if he had found the words.
"Then goodbye, Colonel," Guthrie snickered. "May you rot in hell!" He drew back his foot and kicked the stool out from under Hogan's feet.
Hogan bolted upright in bed, sweat rolling down his face, breathing heavily. Running his hands down his face, he saw his hands were damp and trembling. Getting up off his bunk he turned on the desk lamp and sat down at his desk knowing there would be no more sleep for him tonight. Looking at his watch he noticed he still had about three and a half hours before roll call. Why did I dream that? What does it mean? Is this an elaborate plan by Guthrie to expose my operation and my men? How do I find out for sure without tipping my hand? And can I trust von Herwarth?
"Oh G-d," Hogan muttered covering his eyes with one hand knowing it was going to be a long night.(1)
(1) Judaism does not prohibit writing the name of God per se. It only prohibits the erasing or defacing the name of God. So Jews avoid writing the name of God casually because of the risk the written name might be later defaced, obliterated or destroyed accidentally or by someone who doesn't know any better. Therefore, some Jews write 'G-d' instead of 'God.' Source: Judaism 101.