Colonel Robert Hogan (Bob Crane) (148K)
    Colonel Hogan is the leader of the Heroes and while he doesn't possess the "one skill" that makes him indispensable, provides the leadership and guidance that this group would dissolve without.  Hogan possesses the cool the charisma to lead a group of improvisational bandits.  Many times Hogan is required to play off given roles to mislead or fool his adversaries.  Hogan has the ability to manipulate Colonel Klink to do whatever he desires.  Schultz is manipulated as well, but buries his head in the sand more often and is therefore consciously avoiding the issues rather than getting flat out buying wooden nickels.  Hogan must  think on his feet when encountered by high ranking officers who call his bluff.  Hogan must walk a fine line:  making Klink do all of the work necessary for Hogan's purposes, but not making him look incompetent enough to be displaced.  This situation occurs often enough.  In real life, Crane died in the 1978 of homicide in Arizona.

Colonel Wilhelm Klink (Werner Klemperer)
    Colonel Klink pridcs himself on never having had a successful escape.  Klink knows nothing of what goes on with Hogan and his heroes.  Klink has very little thoughts in the entire camp.  His entire brain obsesses on making sure prisoners don't escape, making sure that he ingratiates himself with his superiors (General Burkhalter, Major Hochstetter, and others), and keeping order.  Basically, considering the fact that Hogan won't allow escapes, Klink's job is, for the most part, not even necessary unbeknownst to him.

Sergeant Hans Schultz (John Banner) (74K)
    Sergeant Schultz is an absolute riot.  Schultz goes on the philosophy that with his head in the sand that he can't get in any trouble.  Schultz is consumed with eating pastries and strudels (mostly courtesy of LeBeau) drinking beer, avoiding trouble and being impartial.  Schultz is an actor that, through his actions, begs you to like him.  Schultz is completely controlled by the prisoners, being moved in any direction which is beneficial to them.  John Banner died in the early 1970's in his native Austria.

Major Hochstetter (Howard Caine) (62K)
    Major Hochstetter is absolutely hilarious.  Major Hochstetter is the no-nonsense Gestapo Major who makes Klink fear him on a regular basis.  Major Hochstetter always suspects Hogan because of the disproportionate amount of sabotage and disappearances in and around Stalag 13, but is always unable to find Hogan responsible.  Some of the critics of the show have said that the characters didn't portray the Gestapo as the cruel killers they were.  Hochstetter seems to be sort of toward that goal, however doesn't act it out to completion (but of course on a sitcom, how could he?).  Hochstetter's general "take no prisoners" approach is absolutely a joy to watch.  Howard Caine is originally from the South and is a Jew.  This is amazing when you think about the fact that first of all he does the accent flawlessly which is not to mention the lack of reservation with the role (seemingly negating all of what the critics of the show have to say).

Sergeant Andrew Carter (Larry Hovis) (65K)
    Sergeant Carter is a humorous member of the heroes (well, they all are, but Carter possesses a wit that i particularly appreciate).  Carter has a naivete and innocence that is irresistable.  His playfulness is an asset to the entire show.  Carter was originally not a permanent member of the show.  During the pilot, Carter was a Lieutenant, but after some non-commitments from some of the other members of the show, Carter was allowed to remain, which is fine by me.  Carter's specialty is explosives (blows up everything within a 100km radius it seems like) and chemistry (for such tasks as creating a mineral water to replace with a spring in the middle of the compound to convince Klink that the spring is natural, and not because of diverted water from a tunnel).

Corporal Louis LeBeau (Robert Clary)
    Corporal LeBeau has the key to Sergeant Schultz's heart, that is, food.  LeBeau can get Schultz to do anything that he desires because of his realization that Schultz governs his mind by his stomach.  Between the potato pancakes, strudel and sauce bernaise, LeBeau has Schultz at his disposal.  Lest thee think that LeBeau is one dimensional, he also has shown his skill at being a gypsy (hehe).

Sergeant Ivan Kinchloe (Ivan Dixon) (52K)
    Kinch was predominanty involved in a non-role.  He had skill at communications.  Most of his lines involved things related to messages for Hogan.  This lack of a role is what led Dixon to leave the show after the fifth season and pursue other goals.  Part of the problem could have been the unfortunate physiological differences.  That is, there were obviously not many black nazis in germany, therefore, Kinchloe was of little use in impersonation attempts.

Corporal Newkirk (Richard Dawson)
    Newkirk's skill was pickpocketing as well as a variety of other utility roles.  His humor probably ranked just behind Carter's as the heroes are concerned.  Newkirk had a good rapport with LeBeau as well as Carter and seemed to have a leadership role among the heroes.  This is makes sense considering the fact that there was a chance that Newkirk was going to be "Hogan" in the first place.  After being judge "too foreign" for this "all-American" role, he had to settle for the lesser role.  And while he doesn't seem to resent it, you can see potential for the leadership role.  To be honest, I could completely seen the situation where Bob Crane dies in the late 60's leaving the void and having Dawson fill in the void.  He seems natural for the role.

General Burkhalter (Leon Askin)
    Burkhalter is, for all intents and purposes, simply a figure to present authority in Klink's direction.  This is evidenced by the fact that after seeing Burkhalter in the Colonel role in the pilot, that this authority and fear aspect for Klink was lacking.  Hard to explain, but Burkhalter's role is pretty much only to develop part of Klink's motivating forces.