by Robert Gillis

I discovered a fan fiction web site (http://www.fanfiction.net) with considerable numbers of fan stories based on TV shows and movies and more. I came across hundreds of fan stories for Hogan’s Heroes, and this week have been reading a 200+ page story called “Endgame,” which is the story of the war’s end and the final liberation from Stalag 13.

This is an exceptional story with excellent writing; and we learn that Klink and Shultz both survived (and protected the Allied prisoners) by pretending to be goofs and sticking their head in the sand. Klink and Hogan are revealed for the humans they really are. Hogan, badly injured from Gestopo Major Hochstetter, takes over Stalag 13, and we see Klink’s growing respect for Hogan’s mastermind, and Klink is revealed as a real hero. The characters I have loved for so long come across as believable and human, and if they’d ever done a series finale, this is the story that should have been told.

As a lifelong fan of the TV show “Hogan’s Heroes,” if there is ever a movie made of “Hogan’s Heroes,” THIS should be used for the script. Patty and Marg, EXTREMELY well done!

Here is a short excerpt, directly from the story:

Hogan was surprised by the man sitting in front of him. He had expected an outburst of some kind. Suddenly he knew why Klink had been acting out of character. “How long have you known?” Hogan asked quietly, ignoring the surprised look on Kinch’s face.

Klink responded with a heavy sigh. “Not for long, though in retrospect, I should have known. When Hochstetter arrived, it took me by surprise. I just couldn’t let him continue his tirade. He was on the verge of insanity and I was sure that he wouldn’t stop with just your death. It seemed that that was what he wanted regardless of getting any answers to his questions. I was worried that if you died, your men would be next on his list. I just had to stop him. I had no plan beyond the moment. I just hoped he would leave.”

He paused, looking forlornly at the floor. “It wasn’t until I thought about what a coincidence the Gestapo Headquarters’ bombing and Hochstetter’s death was, that I came to the realization that you had more influence in this war than I could ever imagine.”

“Kommandant,” said Hogan trying to get the German Colonel to look at him. “Then I owe you for more than my life. I will keep my promise to you. You and your men will be safe from the Allies when they arrive. I just need to know I can count on you and your men, not to interfere with the things my men and I have to do now. But, you have to understand that I will do whatever I need to, if you and your men do not cooperate.”

Klink fidgeted a little on the couch. Finally he began, “I understand, Colonel Hogan, but I want you to understand that throughout this war I have been ignoring many things I shouldn’t have. It was much safer that way. You know what the current Germany is like. The Germany of my childhood is long gone, and what we have allowed Germany to become is not worth saving. I did not see how one man could make much of a difference. So up until now I believed the only way to survive this war was to hide within myself, and the reputation of this camp.”

Klink sighed again his expression one of regret. “So I guess you can say I’ve made my choice, Colonel. I will not interfere with your plans, whatever they may be.”

If you’re a fan of Hogan’s Heroes, you MUST read this moving story.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/421385/1/