Ep 25. Crittendon's Commandos

Hogan's Heroes is a popular American television sitcom that revolves around the escapades of a group of World War II Allied prisoners of war who are trying to sabotage the German war machine from within their Stalag 13 camp. The show is set in Germany during the later stages of the war, and it premiered in 1965 on CBS. It ran for six seasons, and a total of 168 episodes were produced.

Season 5 episode 25 of Hogan's Heroes is titled "Crittendon's Commandos". It is a funny, action-packed episode that follows the adventures of a group of bumbling British commandos led by Colonel Crittendon (played by English actor Bernard Fox). The episode starts with Hogan and his team receiving a visit from Colonel Crittendon, who has been sent to Stalag 13 with a secret mission from the British high command.

Crittendon, who is known for his bungling and ineptitude, wants to launch a raid on a nearby German munitions plant using his own commando unit, which he has personally trained. Hogan and his team are skeptical of Crittendon's abilities, but they decide to help him with his mission anyway. They realize that if Crittendon's commandos succeed, it will take some of the pressure off of their own sabotage efforts.

Hogan and his team help Crittendon infiltrate the camp by disguising him and his men as a group of Russian prisoners. Once inside, Crittendon's commandos begin their mission, but almost immediately run into trouble. They accidentally blow up a water tower and nearly get caught by the camp guards. However, they manage to escape into the nearby woods, where they set up a base camp and plan their next move.

Meanwhile, Hogan and his team are keeping a watchful eye on the German patrols around the camp, hoping to provide some assistance to Crittendon and his men if they need it. They spy on the Germans using a periscope rigged up inside an old stove in the camp's kitchen. Hogan also manages to create a diversion by staging a fake fight with Klink, the camp commandant. This allows Crittendon's men to sneak back into the camp and continue their mission.

As the raid progresses, Crittendon manages to steal some important documents from the German officers, providing the Allies with valuable intelligence about the production capabilities of the munitions plant. However, things take a turn for the worse when a German general arrives on the scene. Crittendon and his men are forced to hide in a nearby barn, where they are briefly trapped by the Germans.

In the end, Hogan and his team help Crittendon's commandos escape from the barn, using a clever trick involving a truck full of empty beer kegs. They manage to get away just in time, narrowly avoiding capture by the German soldiers. Back at Stalag 13, Crittendon and Hogan share a toast to their newfound friendship, as well as to the successful completion of Crittendon's mission.

Overall, "Crittendon's Commandos" is a classic episode of Hogan's Heroes, showcasing the show's signature blend of humor and action. It is a great example of the show's premise, which revolves around a group of plucky, resourceful prisoners-of-war who are fighting back against their captors and doing their part to help the war effort. The episode is also notable for its recurring character, Colonel Crittendon, who appeared in several other episodes of the series. His comic antics and bumbling leadership style make him a fan favorite, and help to add to the show's overall appeal.