Ep 6. The Kommandant Dies at Dawn

In Hogan's Heroes season 5 episode 6 entitled "The Kommandant Dies at Dawn," the Stalag 13 prisoners are in a predicament when they discover that the Gestapo has ordered their detention center to be closed down and its inmates sent to a new camp in the East. Colonel Hogan, along with his allies, Corporal Louis LeBeau, Sergeant Andrew Carter, and Sergeant Richard Baker, come up with a plan to sabotage the transfer operation, but their schemes are thwarted by the new Kommandant, Colonel Crittendon, who arrives at Stalag 13 to take charge.

Crittendon, a pompous and inept officer, insists on following the rules to the letter, which makes things difficult for Hogan and his team. The Allied spies must devise a new strategy to impede the transfer and keep themselves and the other prisoners at Stalag 13 safe. Meanwhile, tension mounts as they learn that the Gestapo plans to execute the current Kommandant, Colonel Klink, as a scapegoat for the supposed security breaches that allowed the successful Allied operations to take place right under his nose. Hogan and his team know that they have to act fast to prevent Klink's execution and save the other prisoners from being transported to dangerous territory.

The episode further explores the dynamic between Hogan and Klink, as the two men have built an unlikely friendship over the years. Hogan sees Klink as a bumbling fool who is often too lazy to follow orders, but ultimately harmless. Klink, on the other hand, genuinely admires Hogan's resourcefulness and intelligence, even though he knows he cannot show it in front of his Gestapo superiors. With Klink's life on the line, Hogan has to put his wits to the test and overcome the obstacles thrown in his way by the rigid Crittendon as well as the much more dangerous Gestapo.

As always, the humor and ingenuity of Hogan and his team are on full display in this episode. LeBeau comes up with some culinary tricks to distract the guards, Baker uses his acting skills to impersonate a higher-ranking officer, and Carter uses his expertise in explosives to cause chaos. Their interactions with Klink and the other prisoners add levity to the high stakes they face. The tension builds as the deadline for the prisoner transfer approaches, and Hogan and his team must come up with a brilliant plan to disrupt it without getting caught.

The episode also highlights the human cost of war, as the prisoners face the prospect of being sent to a new camp where they could be subjected to harsh conditions and abuse. The Allied spies, who are aware of the atrocities committed by the Nazis, are motivated by a strong desire to protect their fellow prisoners and strike a blow against the enemy. The emotional scenes between Hogan and Klink underscore the senseless tragedy of wartime, as two men who share a mutual respect for each other could be torn apart by the cruel machinations of their respective governments.

Overall, "The Kommandant Dies at Dawn" is a thrilling and entertaining installment in the Hogan's Heroes series. It showcases the strengths of the show, namely its clever writing, memorable characters, and a unique blend of humor and drama. The episode builds on the established relationships between the characters while adding new twists and turns to keep the audience engaged. It's a classic example of how a well-crafted story can still resonate with audiences decades after its initial airing.