Hogan's Heroes
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Will the Blue Baron Strike Again
Series: Hogan's Heroes
Episode: Will the Blue Baron Strike Again?
Original Airdate: December 14, 1968
Production Number: 5784-100
Written by: Arthur Julian
Directed by: Marc Daniels
Produced by: Edward H. Feldman & William A. Calihan

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Prisoners[]

Camp Personnel[]

Semi-Regulars[]

Guest Stars[]

Synopsis[]

Hogan gets Klink to throw a party for the Blue Baron, a WW I flying ace in order to find his headquarters.


Story Notes[]

Timeline Notes and Speculations[]

  • This appears to take place in the spring of 1943. The Blue Baron's plans to form a new fighter group may be related to German strengthening of its Atlantic Wall defenses against any potential Allied invasion of France. It also has the lighter feel of other 1943 episodes of the series -- with such things as Hogan bribing Helga with nylons (like he did with Hilda) and Burkhalter taking the time to ogle pretty girls.
  • This episode provides a good deal of information on Klink's past. Mannfred von Richter, the Blue Baron, was one of Klink's classmates in flight school. Klink claims to have taught him how to fly, although this is most likely an exaggeration. The Blue Baron was also part of the same flight squadron as Klink during World War I. They were involved in a mid-air collision on August 4, 1917, apparently as part of a training exercise, that could have killed both of them. The Blue Baron was injured in the crash, and he walked with a limp for the rest of his life. Klink escaped without a scratch. The Blue Baron has always maintained Klink was responsible for the accident, claiming Klink panicked "and almost killed the both of us." In contrast, Klink believes (or has deluded himself into believing) his superior piloting skills saved both their lives.
  • The last time Klink and the Blue Baron saw each other, according to Klink, was at "the Battle of Verdun." This is not the famous World War I battle (given the date of the accident); rather, it is the lesser-known World War II action that essentially completed the German bypassing of the Maginot Line. For many German veterans, like Klink, who had fought in the earlier war, it would have been the real end to the original Battle of Verdun.
  • Two of the background pictures we always see in Klink's office may derive from the events depicted in this episode. One of these shows a German biplane fighter in flight, which may have been one of the planes Klink flew in World War I. Another shows a wrecked plane outside of a hangar, which may be the aftermath of his accident.
  • Klink's nickname, the Iron Eagle, may be one of the more subtle jokes of the series. An iron eagle can't fly.
  • We get a brief glimpse of Burkhalter's past in this episode. He was apparently a field commander on the Russian front in 1941 during Operation Barbarossa. He later recalls the first day of the offensive as one of the "most fun" of his life. He appears to have been there for the full campaign, including its near-disastrous end. This would explain his frequent references to the horror of the Eastern Front, which he uses to frighten Klink into submission. It would explain why he is so sure his brother-in-law, Frau Linkmeyer's husband Otto, is dead (Cupid Comes to Stalag 13). It also might explain the prominent scar on his face.

Quotes[]

Bloopers[]

  • Hogan again makes reference to having worked in the Pentagon, which was under construction until January 1943.
  • When Hogan is talking to Klink about arranging the party, the cigar in Hogan's hand changes colour from green to brown. 

External links[]


Previous episode:
Bad Day in Berlin
Next episode:
Will the Real Colonel Klink Please Stand Up Against the Wall?
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