The One That Got Away Raid

"The One That Got Away Raid" is the eighteenth episode of the first season of The Rat Patrol. It first aired on January 9, 1967.

Synopsis
The Rat Patrol are assigned to rescue First Lieutenant Luden (Jack Colvin), code-named "Buttercup," a German officer who has been feeding Allies information. Lt. Luden intends to provide the Allies with a German codebook. Of course Captain Dietrich questions Luden's loyalty, and brings in Schutzstaffel officers to question him. The Rat Patrol, sans Moffitt, proceed to the German base, while Moffitt stays at the gate booth.

The rescue's going well, until Troy feels a gun on his neck. Dietrich has captured most of the Rat Patrol. Meanwhile, the Schutzstaffel are taking Luden to be questioned by the Gestapo. Moffitt, still dressed as a German corporal, stops the Schutzstaffel's car at the gate.

Recognizing Luden in the car, Moffitt realizes the rescue has not gone as planned. So he improvises a way to distract the Nazis and incapacitate them, Luden helps.

Dietrich won't shoot the Americans if they'll just give him some information. Hitchcock gives Dietrich information alright: name, rank and service number, per the Geneva Convention. Soon there's an opportunity for escape and Hitchcock seizes it. Troy, Hitchcock and Pettigrew get out of the base, outrunning their pursuers, and meet up with Moffitt and Luden.

Once safely away, Troy starts drafting the after-action report: the Rat Patrol have rescued Luden, but they failed to get the codebook. On hearing this, Luden unbuttons his shirt and reveals that he has had the codebook all along. The Rat Patrol with Luden ride off into the sunset.

Main cast

 * Christopher George as Sergeant Sam Troy
 * Gary Raymond as Sergeant Jack Moffitt
 * Hans Gudegast as Hauptmann Hans Dietrich (credit only)
 * Lawrence Casey as Private Mark T. Hitchcock
 * Justin Tarr as Private Tully Pettigrew

Supporting cast

 * Walter Alzmann as Coppel
 * Chris Anders as Stumpf
 * Alan Bergmann as Krieg
 * Jack Colvin as Lt. "Buttercup" Luden
 * Walter Friedel as Durst
 * Manfred Lating as a soldier
 * Charles Maxwell as Prochek