; )

I have only had a chance to skim this but I'm finading it interesting to see another take on how he got to Stalag 13 (I did the whole gang in a series, myself!)... you are handling it well.. cheers!

Travis, you outdid yourself with this one. Read it in one sitting. This reminds me of that movie with Dennis Quaid, about the fireman and the 69 Mets, etc. Can't recall the title. Anyway, quite a masterpiece. Do you know Morse code and all that radio stuff, or did you have to do massive amounts of research?

A fitting conclusion to your magnificent story – and I still stand by that word for it, from my review of chapter 5! The depiction of conditions in the camp during the waning days of the war is right on target in this chapter, picking up on hints in earlier chapters: all very believable for the period. You don’t pull any punches in your description of what happens to Hogan and his men in chapter 6: as your warning notes, the violence is very graphic. But there’s a place for that, and it works here: Hochstetter does what a Gestapo agent like him would do given a chance. It’s worth remembering that men like him did that and worse in that war. I can see him deciding that if he’s going out, he’s taking Hogan and his men with him, can see him being that kind of a nihilist. It’s hard to read . . . but it should be. Death in such circumstances is ugly.

Yet you offer a redemption in chapter 7, for Kinch especially, but for the whole team as well. The way you show Kinch as thinking he’s failed and then the means by which he discovers he succeeded is affecting, clever, and realistic (if one can use such a term in a story premised on the fantastic). And the voice he hears affirming his discovery is done well: both his desire and trepidation are evident as he turns. Perfect for that moment! The events of the story are further confirmed in the conversation of young Robert and the policeman (nice tip of the hat in that name!), with an outside look at Kinch’s life and family, showing that not all is quite as bleak as he’d thought: there’s real poignancy in that, as well as comfort in the rest of the information we get from Robert. A lovely conclusion, especially in the à propos final pun. (And thanks for the explanation there, so we all get it!)

A very fine story, from start to finish! Many thanks!

Powerful. Poignant. Well done, sir, very well done. Nice touch on the policeman's name. (By the by, in my story [not yet posted] Staff Sgt. Louise Kinchloe is General Hogan's secretary, and until she enlisted, she called him Uncle Robert.)

I loved this story: the plot had me spellbound, and your skill in stringing words together always amazes me. Other reviewers have probably put it better than I can, but let me say that I wholeheartedly agree with dust...the story was *satisfying*.

Papa Bear Awards Alert, everyone!

One last thing I would like to note: after Kinch has delivered the fateful message, it seemed very fitting that he was called home just as he realized that he had succeeded in saving his friends and his life did indeed have purpose.

You did real good, 80s.

Okay, I read the warning. But I went ahead and read the chapter anyway...at last the tragedy that Kinch has been living with for so long is revealed.

And I can see where the circumstances of Hochstetter's and Voss's irruption into the barracks kept Hogan's men from immediate action. I can also imagine where an obsessed Nazi might choose to take out his sworn enemy before ending his own life, in a final frenzy of evil, and this is consistent with Hochstetter as you have always portrayed him.

You've brought this together wonderfully in the last two chapters by explaining Kinch's survivor guilt, and letting him find peace finally. It was also interesting seeing Robert make an appearance and help deliver a happier future for our heros. The ending is also a wonderful addition.

You put a lot of thought and work into it and it really shows. Thank you for writing this. I really enjoyed it.

What a bittersweet ending! I have to wonder if Hogan retained any memory of the strange radio message he got all those years ago?

Again, I think this has been your best story so far. Looking forward to another in this vein.

What a terrible ending for the heroes and how terrible for Kinch to be able to hear it and be able to do nothing to help them. No wonder the memory of this haunted Kinch for so many years.

What a truly wonderful story. Brought tears to my eyes. To know kinch hadn't been forgotten and that he had bee greatly loved up til the end. Beautiful. You are the master.

It sounds so much like what Hochstetter would do at the close of the war. Hitler's boot lackey to the end.

I've never said this before in a review and I'm going to say it now and mean it...I have never been so engrossed in a story in my life. This was utterly fascinating and unique. The ending truly gave me shivers. As a watcher of HH and a huge fan of TTZ I loved your unusual blending of the series. Very well done, going straight to my favorites.

Beautiful ending. So Kinch's warning to Hogan and the others did get through in time even though Kinch didn't realize it. How sad that Kinch died in the end and even sadder that one of his sons found him. With the appearance of Kinch's late wife, one has to believe Kinch was suppose to live long enough to save his friends from death and when he had, his goal had been fulfilled and he was then permitted to pass on. Glad to see Hogan and the others were alive and living in various parts of the world, and that Kinch received his son's coded message of love, and was able to reply in same. Beautifully told and written story with the only ending I think was possible to have.

Wow! Great chapter although quite sad. Your description of the showdown between Hogan, Carter, Newkirk and LeBeau and Hochstetter and Voss was quite graphic and well done and made me cry the description was that graphic. With Germany losing, it's obvious Hochstetter would want to kill Hogan and the others if nobody else in camp. And the head-shot regarding Hogan at the end was particularly painful to stomach. Can't wait to read the next chapter.