Fräulein Hilda is a fictional character who is Klink's second secretary for seasons 2 through 6 of Hogan's Heroes. However, despite her German blood, she would aid Colonel Robert Hogan and his men in exchange for candy, stockings and kisses from Hogan. She was played by actress Sigrid Valdis.
History[]
Hilda became the secretary at Stalag 13 after the departure of Helga, which is not explained in universe.
Hilda proves valuable to the underground as she would charm any German officer who would step into the camp.
She plays a small role in many of the team's missions and is generally respected among the men. The men did not try to woo her as they did other women.
Morals and Love Life[]
Like her predecessor, Helga, her motives for aiding Hogan and his men are never clearly stated in the series. It might have been because of Hogan's bribes, or she has some real affection towards Hogan, or possibly because she is actually sympathetic towards the Allies' cause.
Hilda did state during the series that she would rather receive an engagement ring from Hogan then all the other bribes he would give her, suggesting that she has some real affection for Colonel Hogan. Whether she has any real sympathy towards the Allies cause is unknown. However, in "The Schultz Brigade," Hilda is seen giving Newkirk the go-ahead to "assassinate" General Burkhalter-possibly a sign she might be working with the Allies. She does note on another occasion that she is engaged in inappropriate activity. When Hogan asks her for information on the weight of a German truck passing over a bridge that the Heroes have mined, she says, "I shouldn't be telling you this."
Klink, himself, is one of the many would-be-lovers of Hilda, though she is untempted by him. Once, he asks her out on a date. However, his car is not available at the time and therefore, the date never takes place.
Trivia[]
- Hilda is the only female regular on the show during Seasons Two through Six. Therefore, Sigrid Valdis has a modest wardrobe which she has to supply herself.
- Hilda is upon multiple occasions referred to as Helga, the name of her predecessor.
- Sigrid Valdis (born Patricia Olsen) was married to Bob Crane on the stage of Hogan's Heroes. Richard Dawson/Newkirk served as the best man.
- As one of the characters with to access Klink's office in "The Missing Klink," Hilda is a possible candidate for being the British spy known as "Nimrod," if Nimrod is in fact the secret identity of a canon character. This is pure speculation and has no further canonical evidence.