Chapter 24

Klink sat at his desk going over some reports when his mind began to wander to Hogan. Klink could not deny something felt strange especially after Schultz reported to him, with Klink standing on the porch and Schultz a safe distance away, that all prisoners in barracks two were present, and the three prisoners in the infirmary were accounted for. But where Hogan was involved, Klink didn't dare relax his guard. Now that Colonel Olberman had left to return to Berlin, Klink figured he might find out what Hogan was up to come morning. Humph. You might fool Colonel Olberman, Hogan. But you can't fool me, Klink told himself. He returned to his reports.

In the wee hours of the morning of the following day, Wilson and a shaky Newkirk quietly made their way from the infirmary and were met by Kinch who had managed to leave the barracks unnoticed during the changing of the guard. Schultz, as Hogan believed, was confined to his personal quarters after being exposed to what Klink suspected, and verified by Wilson, to be the the flu. He assigned Langenscheidt be posted outside barracks two. The young guard had some idea that Hogan and his men were involved in some of the strange occurances which took place in the area of Stalag 13. But because he liked the American officer and his men, and they had helped him a couple of times, Langenscheidt looked the other way much of the time. And tonight was one of those times.

Langenscheidt noticed Kinch, holding Newkirk's arm, leading his slowly towards the barracks. When the two men were right up on him, the young guard looked around quickly to be certain nobody was paying close attention. He then nodded to Kinch as the radioman passed him and opened the barracks door; quickly closing it once inside. Langenscheidt then went back to his guard duty.

There was excitement from the men with Newkirk's presence. Everyone came to see him; pat him on the back, etc. Hogan, LeBeau and Carter stepped forward. Hogan gripped the Englander's hand tightly, welcoming him back. Carter gave him a bear hug, and LeBeau a kiss on each cheek.

Newkirk smiled weakly at the three of them. "Blimey, I didn't think I'd even see this dump again, much less any of you. How about you, Gov'nor? You okay? I know me mate Kinch is." He grinned at the radioman who grinned back after a pat on the back.

"I'm fine, Newkirk," Hogan replied sincerely. He had to admit Newkirk looked tired and still appeared to be ill. But Wilson had assured Hogan the Englander would be fine and was ordered to rest for the next ten days in order to get his strength back. "Newkirk, I know Wilson has ordered bed rest for you for the next few days, so, we're not gonna do it now. But once he gives the all clear, we are gonna have the biggest shindig here to officially welcome you back. Agreed?"

"Agreed, sir." Newkirk let his gaze shift from his commanding officer to LeBeau and Carter. He smiled fondly. "I understand we have the two of you to thank for getting us out. Andrew, Louie....thanks a lot. You two are the best mates a fella could have."

Carter blushed. LeBeau waved his hand at Newkirk. "Mon ami, no need to thank us. As we told the Colonel earlier, just try to avoid being caught in any more cave-ins from now on."

Newkirk ran a hand over the back of his neck. "Believe me, that I promise you." He then slowly sat down on the bench. "Is there any coffee left?" He looked around the room.

"I'll get you a cup," Carter said.

While the young sergeant poured a cup of coffee, Newkirk looked up at Hogan. "Colonel, Wilson asked me to tell you that he will inform Klink before roll call tomorrow morning that there was no flu."

Hogan's eyes twinkled. "Thanks. Tomorrow, things will be back to normal around here. Newkirk, when you finish your coffee, I suggest you try and get some sleep. I suggest we all try and get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow." Hogan's eyes turned toward Kinch. "Kinch, before you turn in, I want to see you in my quarters about something."

"Sure, Colonel."

Bidding everybody goodnight, Hogan headed toward his quarters with Kinch close behind him. Once inside, Hogan closed the door. He looked at Kinch. "Well, did you get them?" he asked.

"Got 'em right here, Colonel." Reaching inside of his green jacket, Kinch removed a cloth wrapped around something. He unwrapped the cloth enabling Hogan to get a look at what was inside. "Wilson spoke to Sergeant Munroe in barracks fourteen and had them made according to your specifications. They're all ready."

Hogan picked one the objects up and looked at it closely. A smile appeared on his face as he looked closly at what he held in his hand. He saw the other two were a duplicate of the first. He rewrapped the cloth around the objects, and tucked them inside his bomber jacket's inside pocket. "Better get some sleep, Kinch," he said. "As I said, tomorrow is gonna be a busy day."

The following morning, Schultz banged on the door of barracks two. "Raus! Everybody out for roll call! Roll call! Mach schnell! Everybody out now!"

Two or three minutes later, the barracks door opened and the prisoners of barracks two trudged outside with the exception of Newkirk and stood in formation. As the men were falling out, Schultz took a quick look inside to check on Newkirk to verify he was still present; then, he proceeded to count the prisoners in the two lines.

"Schuuuulllttzzz, repoooooorrrttt!" Klink bellowed as he hurried down the steps of the Kommandantur and approached. His eyes looked over the two lines before finnaly resting on Hogan. Schultz, finishing his count, spun around and saluted Klink who saluted back.

"Herr Kommandant, all prisoners present and accounted for except for Coporal Newkirk who is in the barracks as was explained by Sergeant Wilson."

"Very good, Schultz. Now prisoners, I was very glad when Sergeant Wilson came to me as I was leaving my quarters early this morning and advised me he had misdiagnosed several of the prisoners and what he thought was influenza, actually turned out to be a stomach virus. And I understand Sergeant Wilson has recommended Corporal Newkirk remain in bed for at least ten days until he regains his strength. I'm also very glad to see everybody has recovered sufficiently enough to attend roll call this morning. Schultz, you may dismiss your prisoners." He saluted his fat sergeant. Schultz returned the salute and then spun around and faced the prisoners.

"All prisoners, diss-missed!"

As the prisoners dispersed, Klink approached Hogan who was about to head back to the barracks.

"Colonel Hogan, a moment please."

Hogan paused and wrapped his arms around himself. "You call for me, Kommandant?"

"Yes, Hogan. I trust you're feeling much better as I understand you were quite ill?"

"I was at death's door," Hogan said innocently as he looked in Klink's face.

"I'm glad to hear it. I understand from Colonel Olberman you were very quiet while he was here, and that neither you nor your men caused any trouble."

"Well, some of us were very sick, Kommandant. It's hard to be a troublemaker when you don't feel well."

"Hooooogaaaannn!" Klink replied, shaking his fist in the American officer's face. "I warn you, Hogan. I know you were up to something. And I promise you I will find out what you were up to." He quickly saluted Hogan, spun around, and marched back in the direction of the Kommandantur. Hogan watched his receding back and chuckled. If you only knew, Kommandant, Hogan told himself. If you only really knew what went on here while you were gone. Smiling, Hogan motioned for his men to follow him inside.

Back inside the barracks, the men noticed Newkirk was sitting up on his bed drinking a cup of coffee. Hogan glanced back over his shoulder at Kinch.

"Kinch, find Schultz and bring him here right away," Hogan replied.

"Right away, Colonel." Kinch turned and quickly headed out the barracks door. Kinch returned about ten minutes later followed by the rotund guard.

"What is it this time, Colonel Hogan, " Schultz replied wearily. "Sergeant Kinchloe said you wanted to see me right away."

"Yeah, I did, Schultz," Hogan replied putting one foot on the bench and balancing on his other leg. "Fellas, I want everybody to gather around."

Everybody in the barracks gathered around Hogan who reached inside his bomber jacket. He removed the cloth Kinch had given him the night before and unwrapped it. He then set the cloth and its contents in front of him on the table. Grabbing the top item, he held it up. It was a round disk hanging from a ribbon.

"Fellow prisoners, recently we nearly had a catastrophe which could have resulted in the deaths of myself, Sergeant Kinchloe and Corporal Newkirk. And it was only with the assistance of three men that Kinch, Newkirk and I are alive." Hogan twisted his body so that he partially faced Schultz. "Sergeant Schultz, front and center."

Confused, Schultz approached until he stood very close to the Colonel. Hogan looked at him.

"These medals are all the same. Sergeant Schultz, to pay homage to you for your assiatnce in helping to save our lives, we want to present to you this medal made by the workshop." He put the ribbon over Schultz's head. Touched, the rotund guard looked at the round disk on which was printed a single word: HERO. Hogan gave Schultz a sharp salute. The guard returned it just as sharply. "Danke, Colonel Hogan." Hogan then picked up the next disk.

"Corporal LeBeau, front and center." He stood on both legs and faced the little Frenchman who stood in front of him.

"Oui, mon Colonel," LeBeau replied.

"Corporal LeBeau, this is in honor your abiity to provide leadership in the most difficult of situations and for saving the lives of your hut mates who wouldn't be alive today without you." He put the ribbon over LeBeau's neck and then saluted the little Frenchman who returned a sharp salute.

"Merci, mon Colonel." There were tears forming in LeBeau's eyes.

Finally, Hogan picked up the final disk. "Sergeant Carter, front and center."

Embarrassed, Carter slowly stepped forward until he stood in front of his commanding officer.

"Carter, because of you excellent assistance in helping Corporal LeBeau in the rescuing of three of your hut mates under the direst of circumstances, and providing leadership when necessary, we give you this medal in appreciation." Hogan, after putting the ribbon over Carter's head, saluted him. Carter's face was red from embarrassment. He returned Hogan's salute. He looked at the medal and noticed the word HERO engraved on it. He looked at Hogan. "Colonel, Louie and I don't feel like heroes. I mean, we did what we had to do."

"Oui, mon Colonel. Carter is correct. There is no way we would let you, Kinch and Newkirk perish in that cave-in."

Hogan grinned. "We understand that. But you both showed leadership in the most terrible of situations. yet you both were able to keep things running smoothly."

After a moment, Schultz removed his medal and put it inside his coat pocket. "I better get back to my post, Colonel Hogan. So, I will keep this in my pocket for now. Again, danke."

"You're welcome, Schultz." Hogan watched the rotund guard turn and walk out the barracks door, closing it behind him. Now alone with the men, Hogan looked at LeBeau and Carter again. "One more thing. I've been in touch with London, and after giving them a piece of my mind about their night bombing raid that caused this problem to begin with, I put in a recommendation that both of you receive a real medal each for bravery above and beyond the call of duty. LeBeau, your request will be forwarded to DeGaulle. Both your medals will be waiting for you after the war. But for now, we all figured these made in the workshop will have to suffice."

"Thanks, Colonel."

"Merci, Colonel."

Hogan sighed. "Okay, fellas, that's it." He watched the men under his command disperse before pouring himself a cup of coffee. He sat down at the table.

Hogan knew he, Kinch and Newkirk had barely escaped this time. And if it hadn't been for LeBeau, Carter, and even Schultz, he and the others would not be sitting here right now. He took a sip of coffee.

We survived, Hogan told himself. We survived the terror beneath the barracks and lived to talk about it. He took another sip of coffee. He winced and looked into his cup at the brown liquid. Too bad I can't say the same about Newkirk's coffee. Hogan looked at the Englander still seated on his bed. Shrugging, he took another draught of coffee and figured, if he could survive what he just went through, he could survive anything....including Newkirk's coffee.

The End