- Hogan and his men must destroy a German anti-aircraft artillery unit so that the Allies can send in a bombing raid on Hitler's birthday.
- At the start, Schultz is guarding the barracks outside the door. Carter comes out, taps Schultz on the shoulder; this scares Schultz. Carter asks Schultz for a light for his cigarette; Schultz looks for a light, gives Carter his rifle, then gives him a light. Schultz does not worry about giving Carter his rifle as it is not loaded. Carter goes back in the barracks; as he closes the door, a pile of snow from the roof falls on Schultz.
Back in the barracks, Hogan gets a message from London. There will be a probing raid, not a full-scale invasion. They need information on troop movements. This is a reconnaissance job. Hogan needs someone with guts, who can move fast. Hogan volunteers LeBeau. LeBeau says that that is how he got married.
Later, LeBeau is dressed up as an old woman, looking at a nearby German camp from the woods. He takes notes of what he sees. He then comes back to camp. Hogan tries to call the submarine with the information, but Kinchloe says that their radio may be shut down because of the impending operation. At Schmeckhausen, 15 miles away, there are 12 guns, all German 88-mm guns. Hogan gets an idea how to get the information out. Hogan says that LeBeau mentioned Adolf Hitler's birthday. Hogan tells Kinch to get a motorcycle with a sidecar, and tells Carter to get two German uniforms.
Hogan, dressed as German Captain Hoganburg, and LeBeau, dressed as his assistant Corporal Hooplemann, go to see artillery Major Keitel in charge of the guns at Schmeckhausen. There is some discussion as to what will be done for Hitler's birthday. Keitel makes a phone call; Kinch and Newkirk intercept the call. Newkirk, impersonating a German officer, asks to speak to Hoganburg; he tells him to bring a case of wine. Hoganburg/Hogan tells Keitel of STALAG 13 nearby. He suggests that they borrow prisoners to do work for the party. On leaving, Hogan tells Keitel that 'Hooplemann' is his wife's brother.
Later, in Klink's outer office, Klink is kissing Helga. He invites Helga to a party. Helga asks where; Hogan says Schmeckhausen. Helga says that there is nothing in Schmeckhausen. Hogan says that there will be a party there. Helga asks who for; Hogan says it is for Hitler's birthday. Helga acts disappointed, and gives a half-hearted salute with her right hand. Hogan convinces her to invite some of her girlfriends to go to Schmeckhausen for the party.
Keitel calls Klink about using prisoners for the party. Hogan is listening in to a part of the conversation at Klink's closed office door. Klink comes out and asks Helga to call Hogan. Hogan is right there, which surprises Klink. Hogan goes into Klink's office and asks for additional hours of light, as it is Hitler's birthday. Hogan asks for 2 hours extra light in the evening; Klink says no, that the prisoners will use the light to build a tunnel. Hogan says that the tunnel is done, but they are building an elevator now. During the discussion, he puts Klink's pickelhelb helmet on Klink's chair while he is not looking. Klink talks about a party in Schmeckhausen, and asks for prisoners to help at the party. After some discussion Hogan deals with Klink for 1 hour of extra light and 2 ball games. Klink says that he will find the tunnel. Hogan leaves. On the way out, he reminds Helga to not forget the girls for the party. They hear Klink scream, apparently as he sits on his spiked helmet.
Later, at the party site, Newkirk tells Schultz that they are finished. There is a Nazi flag draped on the wall. Schultz counts the prisoners going into the truck. As they go into the back of the truck, Carter and others go out the front and come around to be counted again; this messes up Schultz's count.
Hogan, LeBeau, and 6 other prisoners are in German uniform. They go to the party area where Keitel is. Hogan says that he has orders to relieve Keitel, and Keitel is to go to the party. Keitel wants to still be in command at the guns. Helga and another woman in party dresses walk by; Keitel, after watching the girls, changes his mind and goes to the party with the girls. After Keitel leaves, Hogan and the men work on the guns.
Later, back at camp, LeBeau pours Hogan some wine. Hogan, Klink, and Schultz are in Klink's office drinking. LeBeau tells Hogan that the wine is almost vinegar. Klink asks Hogan where prisoners of war get wine. Hogan responds 'Does Macy tell Gimbel?' Hogan, at that time pretending to be partially drunk, tells a joke about a farmer and a farmer's daughter, which falls flat. There will be a roll call in the morning.
Early the next morning, while the party is still going on, there are scenes of planes passing by, landing craft landing troops, and paratroops dropping from planes. An air raid warning is sounded at the party; the men go to the guns. Keitel is taking ranges on the airplanes. He gives a gunner the range of 1500 yards and deflection information, the gunner answers. When they are supposedly on target, Keitel gives the 'fire' command. When six of the guns are fired, a flag pops out of the end of each with 'Happy Birthday Adolph'. Keitel doesn't believe what is happening, bangs a gun with his fist, and says 'schweinhund' several times.
At the end, Keitel and Klink are in Klink's office talking. Hogan and Helga are in the outer office, listening. Klink is arguing with Keitel about the prisoners' involvement with the sabotage of the guns. Klink insists that they did not do it. Keitel tells Klink that the prisoners did a good job at the party, and leaves. Klink goes to the outer office, and tells Hogan that the working party did a good job at the party. Klink then tells Hogan about camp buildings needing cleaning. Hogan denies the requests, and asks for 2 extra hours of light and some bread. He bargains with Klink as Helga watches the back and forth discussion.
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