second-in-command to Hogan. He is part Native American, as revealed when he receives a letter from one of his Sioux relatives, and is said to be from the fictional town of Bullfrog, North Dakota. (In reality, Hovis was born on a Yakama reservation in Washington.) In the pilot episode, "The Informer", Carter is a lieutenant who escaped from another prisoner-of-war camp, staying at Stalag 13 before continuing his journey to England, like many other Allies assisted by Hogan's crew throughout the series. By the second episode, Carter is established as a major character and permanent member of Hogan's crew. Recurring Fräulein Helga (portrayed by Cynthia Lynn in season 1) – Helga was Klink's first secretary. She was portrayed as neutral or pro-Allied, having assisted Hogan and his men in their operations, such as providing verification for Hogan's statements when he tries to manipulate Klink, or stealing documents to pass on to Hogan. Helga also had a flirtatious personal relationship with Hogan. In the pilot episode, Helga works as a manicurist in the prisoners' underground barber shop, but this is the only scene in the series that shows her cooperation as that extensive. Lynn left Hogan's Heroes at the end of its first season, and Helga's departure was never explained in the series. Lynn later made two guest appearances as other characters. Fräulein Hilda (portrayed by Sigrid Valdis in seasons 2-6) – Hilda replaced Helga as Klink's secretary. Her role is very similar to Helga's, aiding the prisoners by providing information to Hogan, confirming details of the stories he tells Klink, and volunteering to accept social invitations from high-ranking Germans in order to distract or obtain information from them. Like Helga, she often flirted with Hogan. Valdis appeared on the series once in a minor role prior to being cast as Hilda. Valdis and Bob Crane were married on the show's set in 1970. Most of the cast and crew were present, and Richard Dawson served as Crane's best man. General Albert Hans Burkhalter (portrayed by Leon Askin) – Burkhalter is Klink's gruff and rotund superior officer. His rank is equivalent to a lieutenant (three-star) general in the American forces. Burkhalter frequently tires of Klink's obsequious manner and nervous babbling ("Shut up, Klink!") and regularly threatens to send him to the Russian Front or have him shot. Burkhalter is mystified by Stalag 13's perfect record, unable to make sense of it