Most people today will not realize how historic this episode was.
In this episode a Black man takes lead, on prime time T. V. in 1960 America. Black men are being hanged in trees, at the time, and even this very same lead Black actor, off stage is suffering unimaginable racism, to such extent he later leaves the country, never to return. But, Hogan's Heroes places him not just in the leading role, but playing opposite a Black actress / singer, who is the girlfriend of a very white actor (in character), and to top it all off, the white lead actor, Bob Crane, plays backseat to the Black actor.
This and the Black actress kissing, white actor on Star Trek is one of 3 of the most historic TV episodes in history.
When watching this, one has to appreciate what you are witnessing, and appreciate what that small crew did for Black people and America.