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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 31, 2021 2:07:35 GMT
Chapter 48
The Blackhawk Squadron was down to ten planes. None had been shot down; they had just been worn out by the non-stop fighting. The planes pilots were now part of the ground crew. Major Proska had to fight with his commanding officer, who had wanted the men transferred to the infantry but Major Proska persuaded his superior that the pilots served a better service to the war effort as mechanics than soldiers.
Blackhawk and his men were all tired and their base kept changing location against the ever advancing German army to the west and the Soviets to the East. They were moving yet again, but this time he was near his ancestral home and decided to have his squadron fly over it. None of all the horrors of war that Jan Proska had seen, or would ever see again would touch him as he flew over his Father's house and saw it destroyed. Blackhawks's eyes started to moisten as he radioed his men to continue on to their destination. He told them that he had to go down and check on the estate below.
"Understood Major" said Zeg as Blackhawk landed his plane. Zeg told Stan and Vlad to stay nearby. The Blackhawk squadron continued southward.
Several minutes later Stan saw the familiar dust cloud of advancing armored and mechanized units in the west. Stan knew that Blackhawk was not in radio contact. He also knew that the major was less likely to listen to Vlad than him. "Vlad, I need you to go and bust up that column while I go and get Blackhawk."
Vlad licked his lips in anticipation and said "roger" and headed west.
Stan landed his plane next to his commanding officer's. He exited the plane and walked over to the ruined house. There he saw Blackhawk holding a badly broken man. Stan recognized the man to be Jack Cunningham, Blackhawk's younger brother from when he was in Chicago during their world wide tour in their fighter planes. Proska was weeping with a fist in the air he cried out Damn you von Tepp, you're going to pay for this. I swear you are going to pay."
Stan stood back and let his commanding officer have a few more moments with his grief. Quietly he then said "we have to leave Blackhawk. There's a Nazi armored column coming. Vlad will delay them, but he won't stop them."
"I don't even have time to bury them, do I Stan?" Blackhawk asked numbly.
"No" replied Stan. "I estimate they'll be here in a half hour to forty-five minutes."
Blackhawk nodded and started walking back to his plane. "von Tepp bragged to my brother about this Stan. That's how I know who did this. Jack lived long enough to tell me and I swear I'll live long enough to kill von Tepp."
A somber Stan merely nodded.
"In the mean time though we have an armored column to deal with" said Blackhawk.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 31, 2021 2:07:50 GMT
Chapter 49
It was early in the morning of September 29th that the Blackhawk Squadron had heard that Warsaw had fallen. There was no longer any coordinated defense as Poland slowly fell under the combined heels of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. The squadron that Major Janos Proska commanded was now down to seven working planes. They were fighting a losing battle and they knew it.
They were less than thirty miles from the Hungarian border when Blackhawk called his surviving pilots and ground crew members together just before sunup. "I know that most of you have heard that Warsaw fell yesterday. With that our homeland is all but conquered for now. We will rise out of the ashes. But now we have to think about our next actions. Some of you no doubt want to surrender. There is nothing wrong with that. Still others are going to want to try and get to Hungary and then to the Allies and continue our fight. Again there is nothing wrong with that. I am however going to stay a while longer and punish both of our foes. Are there any volunteers who wish to join me?"
Most of the group put their heads down and could not meet their commander's gaze. Zeg smiled his charming boyish smile and said "I was your wingman when we crossed the globe and I'll do it again."
Stan exhaled audibly and said "If you're staying – then I'm staying."
"Not without your wingman" said Vladham.
Three of the ground crew led by a sergeant named Jerzy Kowalinski came forward and said "We would sir, but we can't get it the planes because they're designed just for the pilot."
"I know Sergeant" replied Blackhawk "Wait a moment and we'll talk. First though I want the rest of you to take care. Good luck no matter what you decide." There was then a good hour of farewells. When the others had departed Blackhawk talked to the remaining warriors who would soon become internationally known as the greatest fighting team ever assembled-the Blackhawks. For the next several hours the remaining group scavenged the remaining planes to make four near perfect planes. They painted the fuselage white with red wing tips and a head of a black hawk on the side so that the plane resembled those that were used during the aviator's trip around the world.
After they were done Blackhawk talked with the head of the ground crew. "Sergeant I have letter for you to give to the American ambassador in Hungary. He'll forward it to my mother. She will wire you three enough money to get you to England. The four of us will meet you there eventually."
"But sir" protested the sergeant, "how are you going to keep the planes going?"
"We took care of the planes ourselves during our global tour Jerzy. We aren't as good mechanics as you but we'll be okay. And no more sirs or major from any of you as of right now I am simply Blackhawk.
"And we are the Blackhawks" said Zeg.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 31, 2021 2:08:10 GMT
Chapter 50
The Blackhawks continued their fight against both of the occupying powers in Poland throughout the winter of 1939-40 the Nazi Gestapo and SS troops were the favorite targets of the aviators in German occupied Poland. The two groups of so-called super men were fast becoming terrified of the four freedom fighters. On the Russian side of the Polish partition it was the dreaded NKVD – The People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs, Stalin's secret police that bore the brunt of the Blackhawk's continual hit and run attacks. They too were growing afraid of the Blackhawks.
The Germans were focusing on Poland Jewish population by forcing them into select ghettos. That is not to say the rest of the Polish population was not suffering under the Nazi heel but the Germans had a priority of ethnic cleansing, first the Jews and Gypsies, then the Slavs.
The Russians on the other hand were concentrating on Polish intelligentsia as well as professional people like doctors, lawyers, former military and government men. They were being rounded up and killed as a way to destroy the Polish heritage. The Blackhawks freed a great many of these men but many hundreds more were killed, including both of Vladham's parents.
Vladham was the son of a Polish Baron and thought the Polish aristocracy had no power in modern Poland but they were still being systematically killed by the NKVD. Blackhawk had held the young man back whenever they attacked the Russians because Vladham started taking extra risks in order to hurt the Russians.
It was now late March. The Blackhawks had put together the dark blue uniform with matching hat and boots that the world would always associate with them. Unfortunately the clothes were thread bare. The men's faces had stubble and their bellies growled with hunger. Time was running out on them and they knew it. The Germans had recent proclaimed on the radio that they would retaliate any attack by the Blackhawks by killing a hundred Poles. The Soviets broadcasted a similar message when the Blackhawks decided to concentrate on the Russians. It was time to leave. They had done all they could do.
The four were sitting quietly around a small fire. They all knew they had to leave for the Western Allies. Even if their enemies hadn't made their retaliatory threats because their planes were in their last legs as well. They hadn't met many enemy aircraft in the winter but they would surely be hunted down now.
Zeg was scratching his chin as he looked up at the cloud filled night sky. "We need to be leaving soon Blackhawk."
"It's going to be hard going Blackhawk" said Stan. Hungary and Rumania are both ostensibly German Allies. We could make it to Yugoslavia but I think Turkey is safer despite the added distance."
Vlad remained silent.
"No" said "we're going west. But we're going to make a stop in Berlin on the way and show the Germans what we think of them." He put his hand on Vladham's shoulder and added "I would have liked to go visited Moscow and give the Russians the same treatment but our planes aren't up to it."
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 31, 2021 2:08:23 GMT
Chapter 51
The Blackhawks were five miles outside of Berlin. It was a warm for early April and the Fuehrer, Adolph Hitler was to give a speech at Berlin's open air Olympic Stadium. The Blackhawks planned to interrupt that speech. Their planes were almost out of gas when they landed in the small short open field in the middle of wooded area. They now had four chores to do before leaving.
Vladham had to sneak into a nearby airport and steal enough aviation fuel for the four planes to make it to their next destination. He was also supposed to try and steal some ammunition too if possible.
Stan had the enviable task of destroying the large ammunition plant in the south side of the city. The explosions he caused would be a signal to Zeg and Blackhawk.
Zeg had two tasks: his first one was to go to the United States Embassy and deliver a letter to the Ambassador. America was neutral but Blackhawk was an American citizen and Zeg had a letter Blackhawk had written that was to be delivered to his mother. Zeg also had letters for the governments of France and Great Britain from Blackhawk. After the explosion it was Zeg's job to steal transportation to carry the three of them back to their planes.
Blackhawk was going to go to the Olympic stadium and hear Hitler's speech. He was going to sit in the uppermost level. He wanted to gauge the man first hand. He would like to have killed the bastard, but he believed the Nazi's did not need a martyr. He would go there, take a seat and listen to Hitler's drivel until the explosion. Then he would throw down hundreds of papers with his Blackhawk emblem. His escape might be tricky but he figured that the explosion and flyers would cause enough of a panic that he could do it.
Vladham was amused at the lax security of the Luftwaffe controlled airport. He had used bolt cutters to enter a side fence. He then went to the maintenance garage. It was devoid of any signs of life. Still there was a small room off to the side where a mechanic on duty was taking a nap. Vlad crept in and dispatched him as quickly and painlessly as possible. He then disabled all the vehicles in the garage; all except the gas truck he planned to make his getaway in. The truck was full of aviation gas but he had a few more things to do before he left. He grabbed several belts of 30 caliber ammunition for the Blackhawks aircraft and put them in the truck.
He thought about disabling the planes on the field but that would take too much time and would most likely lead to his capture. So instead he went to the airport's control tower. There was only on guard standing in front of the door. He was obviously bored. Vladham approached the poor soldier from behind and called out "attention" in his best officer's voice. He karate chopped the sentry as the man was coming to attention. Vladham caught the man as he fell. He then propped the unconscious man against wall.
The first level of the control tower was empty. Cautiously he climbed the stairs and saw the four men at their posts. He surprised them and told them all to raise their hands he then hand one of then, the smallest and weakest looking man tie the others hands and feet. Then Vladham pistol whipped that soldier and tied him up. Next He set a timed explosive grenade to the tower's radio after he moved the Germans into cover.
Vladham ran back down the stairs. The stunned sentry was just starting to regain consciousness. Vladham hit him again and the sentry went back into dreamland. Next he retraced his steps to the garage. He went over to the gas tanks and opened the spigot he quickly ran away he lit a match and placed down on the ground where the aviation fuel was fast approaching. He then hopped in the gas truck and drove it out of the garage as the explosion and fire started. He saw the tower explode as well
Confusion reigned supreme; Vladham told anyone there who questioned him that he was going to get the full gas truck out of range of the fire. He did this even as he left the air base. He had sad smile on his face as he hummed a tune that he and Zeg were trying to write lyrics to when he heard an explosion so loud that it had to be the ammunition plant. "Hawkah - We're the Blackhawks, Hawkah – we're on the wing. Vlad smile gladdened as he now had the beginnings of the lyrics.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 31, 2021 2:08:50 GMT
Chapter 52
Stan was walking along the industrial part of Berlin where most of her factories were. Almost none of the factories had a second shift working. Whatever damage he did tonight would mostly be to property and not civilians. He was wearing a trench coat over his Blackhawk uniform because a night the uniforms boots and trousers resembled that of a German officer. He was looking for the Krup Armament factory. He found it after several minutes. It was dark, Krup had no second shift working and after tonight there would be no first shift working either.
The building had no guards at the gate. The gate was not even locked. Stan shook his head. He quickly went about his business when he saw a flashlight coming towards him "Who's there?" cried out a voice as Stan ducked into the shadows.
Stan saw an older man come towards him – he was obviously the night watchman. Stan let the man pass. He then stepped out of the dark and hit the older man in the back of the head, knocking him unconscious. Stan then returned to the work he was doing. Once the timed charges were set Stan went back to the old man and carried him several blocks away from the impending explosion. Stan decided to tie the man up and gag him as well before leaving him for his rendezvous point humming the Blackhawk theme song.
Meanwhile Zeg was completing the first part of his assignment. He had earlier walked into the German army base where the 1st SS Armored Division where headquartered. Zeg used guile and wit to bluff his way in and out of the base as he stole a SdKfz. 222 armored car. The vehicle had a 28mm anti-tank gun in its turret; 4 wheel drive and a usual crew of three. It was the fastest German armor vehicle around. He drove the armored car to the American embassy and hopped over the fence.
The American Marines guarding the embassy were on alert and Zeg had difficulty the moment he entered the grounds. He immediately went to the bushes next to the building as he saw the marines walk along the perimeter. When the two marines saw the SDKfz 222 parked next to the embassy's fence they called their sergeant. Zeg saw the door the NCO came out of and inched his way to it. He quietly entered the door, and headed inside the embassy.
Zeg was the son of Polish diplomats and knew how most embassies were laid out. He ignored the rooms on first floor and crept upstairs to the second floor. He crept around the offices and finally found what he was looking for an office with the words Chargé d'Affaires. Zeg noted that this meant the United States was somewhat angered with Germany since they didn't have a full ambassador here. The name Alexander C. Kirk was under the title. The light in the office was on so Zeg knew someone was in there. He took a deep breath and put on his best winning smile. He audibly exhaled as he opened the door.
The Chargé d'Affaires looked up in annoyance that someone would enter his office with out knocking and then astonishment as he saw that the man was not one of his staff. "Who...who are you?" he asked.
I am Zeg Zego..." Zeg stopped there as he decided not to tell the man his last name. "My last name is unimportant; and I still have some distant family members in my homeland who could be persecuted if it were widely known. Suffice it to say that I am a Blackhawk."
"Why are you here?" asked Alexander Kirk. "The United States in completely neutral in this war. I can't offer you asylum."
Zeg shrugged his shoulders and said bemusedly "We don't want asylum. I have three letters that Blackhawk would like you to deliver to his mother, Silvia Proska, the CEO of Cunningham Industries."
Kirk's interest was now peaked. "What's in them?"
"Well I believe one is a letter explaining how Blackhawk's sister died in the war and his younger brother was butchered by German troops. The other two are letters that Mrs. Proska will forward to the British and French Governments" Zeg explained. He looked at the grandfather clock on the wall and added "Could you come here and step away from the window for a moment sir?"
"Why"
"It will be clear in a minute...I promise."
Alexander Kirk did as he was asked. As soon as he was near the wall a loud explosion was heard as the ground beneath him shook. The glass of the window behind his desk had shattered. He would have been cut into ribbons if Zeg had not asked his to move.
"What...what was that?" asked the shaken diplomat.
"The destruction of a munitions factory by my fellow Blackhawk and my signal that it's time to leave. You will send those letters by diplomatic courier won't you" said Zeg.
The diplomat shook his head yes.
The explosion had taken place on the opposite side of the embassy from where Zeg had parked his armored car. The marines were all cloistered over there as Zeg had planned. He climbed over the fence without any opposition. He then entered his SdKfz. 222 armored car and drove off to the Blackhawks prearranged meeting place whistling the notes of what would soon become the Blackhawks song.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 31, 2021 2:09:02 GMT
Chapter 53
Blackhawk also had two missions, the first one was personal. He desperately wanted to find Baron von Tepp, infamously the known as the Butcher. The newly promoted Luftwaffe major was no longer in Poland and had been out of Blackhawks grasp during the winter. He hoped to find out where he was stationed by going into Luftwaffe Headquarters.
He was wearing a colonel's uniform when he brazenly walked into the building. He walked around looking for information. Eventually he discovered that the Butcher was stationed in Kiel. Blackhawk was wondering why a top German air commander was station in the German port city when he saw a rough draft for an invasion of Denmark and Norway. It was called Operation Weser-Exercise; was designed to close off the Baltic Sea to Allied ships. The papers he read said that it was to start in early April.
Blackhawk had already decided to bring his planes to Denmark as they were too battered to continue fighting the Germans. Now if he could get this information to the Allies he could stop the invasions of these to small countries he could really help the Allied war effort and he could get to von Tepp at the same time.
Blackhawk left the Luftwaffe Headquarters with a definite bounce in his step. He now headed to the open air Olympic stadium where Adolph Hitler was going to speak tonight. He was amazed at how excited the people of Berlin were that the Fuehrer was speaking tonight in public. Blackhawk was going to see and gauge his ultimate enemy on the western boundary of Poland. He would have done that same if given the opportunity with Stalin on the eastern side of his homeland.
He got to the open air stadium early. His seat was way in the back along the upper levels. This suited him. Security was high and he was watch very carefully as he walked around the ever filling stadium. Eventually an officer from the SS detachment guarding the Fuehrer came to question him as to why he was wandering the stadium.
Blackhawk spoke German so well that he could add regional accents to the language. He responded in an Austrian one as he said. "I have never seen such a large magnificent structure in Austria major," He stressed the word major to make it clear that he out ranked the SS officer. "I was just examining the sheer magnificence of it."
The SS major was a native Berliner and smiled at Blackhawk's compliment. "Thank you sir, but I need to see you papers." Blackhawk handed the Major the expertly forged copy that Vladham had made before the mission. Seeing nothing wrong, the major gave the papers back. "I am afraid I am going to have to ask you to take a seat now. If you are still here after the Fuehrer's speech I will be happy to give you a personal tour."
Blackhawk thanked the man and said that would be excellent even though he had no intention of staying. In fact he had set something in motion that was going to add to pandemonium right in the middle of Hitler's speech that Stan's detonation of munitions in the armament factory was going to cause. He had place small explosive devices throughout the stadium. The slight of hand and stealth that allowed him to do it came from the days he had spent training with Ohiyesa. The devises were harmless. They would be set off by the vibrations caused by Stan's destruction of the munitions plant and would send forth one page pamphlets with the Blackhawk emblem that would flood the stadium once they went off.
Blackhawk sat and watched as Fuehrer entered with his entourage to a deafening cheer. The crowd stood when they entered. They continued to roar with approval as a great parade of military personnel and equipment marched through the stadium and saluted the Chancellor of Germany. Blackhawk followed the rest of the crowd through their motions.
Then everyone sat down as Hitler began to speak. He was a master orator. Blackhawk saw how he held the entire crowd in rapt attention, cheering when he wanted them to, and quieting down when he wanted to continue. He was mesmerizing to the Germans in the audience. Blackhawk saw the man, his ability and understood how he could lead Germany on the path of a new war.
As the crowd cheered their fuehrer Blackhawk began to hate the man almost as much as von Tepp, the Butcher. After all it was Hitler who set in motion the terrible atrocities going on in Poland. The longer the speech went on uninterrupted – the harder time Blackhawk had hiding his true antipathy.
The Fuehrer was in what was the climatic high point of his speech when a great ground shaking explosion occurred. Hitler's body guards hurried him out of the stadium. Seeing this, the people became frightened. When the little firecracker type of blasts happened all around the stadium and the papers with the Blackhawk's emblem came floating down on top of them, they panicked. The security personnel were overwhelmed with the on rush. Blackhawk followed the crowd whistling the tune his men were humming around their makeshift camp.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 31, 2021 2:09:15 GMT
Chapter 54
Zeg drove his stolen armored car to through the now chaotic streets of Berlin to the prearranged location where he picked up Stan. Stan climbed aboard and told Zeg to wait a moment before heading to where Blackhawk was supposed to be.
"Why? asked Zeg.
"Since you have given us this excellent escape vehicle; I want to give the Nazis a message." Stan then took aim with the machine gun on the copula and fired several short bursts into a brick wall. When he was done the wall had a three foot word carved into by the bullets in capital letters: B L A C K H A W K ! Zeg laughed heartedly when they left.
Blackhawk kept walking away from the Olympic Stadium and away from the industrial part of Berlin. He headed towards the quieter residential section of the city. He saw lots of German soldiers going through the streets. His uniform and rank kept them from questioning him. He spotted SdKfz. 222 armored car racing down the street and swallowed as he momentarily thought he had been discovered. Then Blackhawk saw Stan standing in the copula. Blackhawk quickly looked around to see if there were any German troops before entering the vehicle because there was no reason for a Luftwaffe colonel to be inside an armored car. "Zeg I said to get a fast car so we can get to our planes, not an armored vehicle."
"Not to worry Blackhawk, this thing can do a good 50 miles per hour on the road and half that off road. Besides, it a command vehicle; you can listen in on the SS division and the Luftwaffe so we can avoid them" said a confident Zeg.
Blackhawk found that Zeg was right and they were easily able to avoid the roadblocks that were being set up. The German army guarding Berlin was in chaos, as was the air force. The Blackhawks had little trouble returning to their hidden planes. Vlad had been busy filling them with aviation fuel and they were ready to go when the rest of the Blackhawks arrived.
The Blackhawk took off and flew away from Berlin. They went north until they were over the Baltic Sea. They then changed coarse again to the northeast and continued until they reached that Danish coast.
Lieutenant Olaf Bjornson was in charge of the small Danish air base in the small port city of Skagen. Denmark had a very small navy and a virtually non-existent army or air force. Olaf job consisted mainly of keeping the two planes at his base I working order so that they could provide search and rescue in the Baltic and North Seas.
He was born into the circus and had been an acrobat in his youth. One day an American barnstormer came to France and joined the circus. Olaf became fascinated with the plane. He asked the man to teach him how to fly but the American said he couldn't afford to teach Olaf. He only had enough cash to fly his biplane during shows. Olaf was heart-broken. The man then suggested that Olaf join the air fore back home in Sweden.
Olaf returned to Sweden but was unable to receive a commission in the Swedish armed forces. He then applied to the Danish government and was accepted. He flew, but not often enough to suit his tastes. He heard on the radio about the great air battles happening and wanted to be a part of them. He had not yet seen war up close and personal. Although he never turned away from it once he did – he also never eagerly sought it out again either.
He was now very bored as he was sitting behind a desk filling out various forms when his aide came bursting into his office. "Sir four planes are landing on our air field. They've got unusual markings on them. They're not ours."
Olaf quickly rose from his chair and grabbed his field glasses. He was relieved to see that they were fighters and not transports. Grounded fighters meant that the planes weren't part of an invading force. The Danish Military was worried about the possibility and had sent out missive telling its officer to be aware of possible incursions. He looked at the markings and said "No sergeant, those planes belong to the Blackhawks."
Olaf called in his executive officer and asked him to have the Blackhawks wait in the cafeteria. While he called the Danish capital of Copenhagen to find out what he was going to do.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 31, 2021 2:09:27 GMT
Chapter 55
The Blackhawks waited patiently in the Danish air base's cafeteria. "It would be nice to get a real hot meal for a change" Zeg said with a smile.
Vladham shot him a dirty look and said "You think its easy cooking over an open camp fire?"
"That's not what I meant Vladham. It's just that we haven't had a decent meal since the day the war started," responded Zeg
"Seven months is a long time." said Stan as he patted his own stomach.
"Yes... it is' said Vladham resignedly.
Blackhawk remain silent through his men's banter. He looked out the window and saw an officer approaching the building. He was a tall man, almost as tall as Stan. He had light red hair like Zeg. The young man had a plain honest face with a very prominent chin with large cleft.
The Blackhawks rose and stood at ready when Olaf entered. The Danish lieutenant surveyed the men in the room and then went directly to Blackhawk. "You ban the only one here with black hair; so must be Blackhawk."
Blackhawk's uniform did not yet differ from the other three men in the room. That would change in the coming months. Blackhawk was impressed with the man's ability to quickly discover his identity. He also noted that the man had a different accent than the other Danes. Blackhawk acknowledged that he was and asked what was going to happen to him and his men.
"I do not know. I have informed Copenhagen of your presence and am waiting for orders. I have no doubt that you and your men are perfectly capable of destroying my little air base or taking off in your planes. But please be aware that I would honor bound to try and stop you. I do not want to have my men hurt, nor do I wish to hurt any of the Blackhawks" said Olaf.
"I don't either. I promise we won't leave unless you try and turn us over to the Nazis" said Blackhawk.
Olaf dropped his voice into a conspiratorial whisper, "I'll turn my back and let you get away if those become orders."
"When's dinner?" asked Zeg, I'm starving."
"You're always hungry" said Vladham.
"Don't you two start that again" said Stan.
"I agree" said Blackhawk. "I'm sorry lieutenant, I didn't introduce my men. The tall blonde man with the crew cut is Stan, the red head is Zeg and the brown haired young man is Vladham. We no longer use our last names. We still have families in Poland and we don't want reprisals against them."
"Understood" said Olaf. I am Lieutenant Olaf Bjornson."
Blackhawk saw one of Lieutenant Bjornson's men come running to the cafeteria. He pointed him out to Olaf, who turned just as the man entered the building. "Lieutenant Bjornson, Lieutenant Bjornson the Germans have invaded Copenhagen and are moving up the peninsula towards us."
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 31, 2021 2:09:39 GMT
Chapter 56
It took a moment for Olaf to realize what his man had just told him. Blackhawk acknowledged the information immediately. "Olaf," he said "We have to get your and our airplanes airborne immediately. We're out of fuel."
Olaf turned to Blackhawk and said "Right...right" then he ordered his man to have the Blackhawks' planes refueled. "My two planes have no real armament Blackhawk, we're here primarily for search and rescue."
Another one of airmen from the Danish base came running in yelling "Enemy plans coming in from the south."
"Damn" cried Olaf as he ran out the door. He turned and headed toward his plane. He did not get more than two steps because Blackhawk tackled him. "Listen Lieutenant Bjornson, they're going to get to both of our planes before we can get into the skies." The Blackhawks in the meantime were ordering the confused and panicking Danish airmen to find shelter.
Olaf now saw the horrors of war first hand as the explosions from the bombs above landed on his little command. He covered his head; every now and then he would look up and see the destruction before putting his head back down. The air strike lasted only a couple of minutes, but to Olaf and everyone else on the ground it seemed like hours.
When the big Swede stood up he saw the total annihilation of his base. Worse he saw bodies and body parts of several of his men who were not fortunate enough to find cover. Quickly he ordered his men in an effort to rescue the wounded and salvage what little he could. Yet another one of his men came running to him screaming "sir there's another plane on the horizon. It a transport plane sir."
Blackhawk looked to the west the sun was in his eyes. Not knowing what nationality the plane was he drew his pistol. The other Blackhawks did as well. Olaf wished his base had had more weapons as he followed the Blackhawks lead and ordered his surviving men to do the same. Unfortunately most of them were unarmed and the majority that were refused to raise their weapons. They were obviously already defeated.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 31, 2021 2:09:52 GMT
Chapter 57
Olaf tried to rally his men but they were never truly soldiers. His base was used for search and rescue. Still a few men took up their weapons and still others took weapons away from those who refused to fight. Olaf's chest swelled with pride as he ordered his men into defensive positions. He kept looking to Blackhawk to see if the famed fighter had anything to add.
Blackhawk kept silent because he needed to judge his new found ally's competence. He was exceedingly pleased, there was only one plane coming. Maybe, just maybe we'll survive his he thought.
Vladham scrambled through the wreckage of the air base looking for a pair of binoculars. He found one, albeit you couldn't see through the right lens. Still, he looked up at the plane and saw that it was not a recognizable German transport plane. Better yet it had British markings. "Hold up everyone" he yelled, "It's a British plane."
Blackhawk and the others let out a collective sigh of relief. No one looks forward to combat and there is always a sense of relief when it is avoided. Blackhawk was especially smiling broadly. Zeg went up to him and said "I take it from your grin that the appearance of this British transport has something to do with the letters I dropped off at the American embassy in Berlin?"
"Yes" said Blackhawk, "I asked for British and French help because our planes were in such bad shape that I knew they couldn't get to England with the English Channel being fought over. I asked the British and the French to meet us here."
The aircraft that landed was an early model of the unarmed de Havilland Flamingo Transport Plane. It came to a complete stop, but it engines kept running. Two men hopped out of the rear fuselage and the plane turned around so that it could quickly take off.
"Hello" said a red headed middle-aged man with cheerful smile thick upper class British accent. "We're looking for the Blackhawks. Are they anywhere about?" The Blackhawks, as well as Olaf and his men all looked at each other with smiles at this clueless Englishman.
"I'm Blackhawk and these are my men" said Blackhawk as he pointed out his three compatriots.
"Ah very good Major Proska; I am Major Wheeler-Nicholson and this is Captain Blanc-Dumont of France. We're here to take you back to England. I understand the Polish-Government-in-Exile wants to meet with you very much, as does Prime Minister Churchill."
Blackhawk nodded as he said "I understand – but what's the situation with Denmark?"
Wheeler-Nicholson looked annoyed at the question but the French officer answered it with a touch of sadness. "I am afraid that the Danish Government has been forced to capitulate."
Blackhawk again nodded and then turned to the Danes who standing with him. "Please listen. The Government of Denmark has had to surrender. That does not mean you have to surrender. Any and all who wish to join the Blackhawks can. We need people to work in our ground crew as well as pilots. After all what good is an airman who can't keep his plane in working order?"
"Listen here Major Proska – my orders are to take back the Blackhawks," said the now angry British major; "Nobody else."
"Two things Major Wheeler –Nicholson: first I no longer go by the name of Proska – now I am simply Blackhawk. And two the Blackhawks are whoever I say they are" said an equally angry Blackhawk.
Blackhawk then turned back to the assemble Danes and asked if anyone wanted to go with them. Three of the ground crew wanted to, but one of them said he could not because he was married and had a family. Blackhawk put his hands on the man's shoulders and told the man that he would have an even tougher job keeping his family safe. He said respected the grounds crewman immensely for putting his family first. He added "If you need a job after this horrible war is over contact Cunningham Industries and tell them your name."
Olaf was torn. His command was all but gone but he was duty bound to stay and help the wounded; that and unfortunately surrender to the damned Nazis. His executive officer was a young man named Leif. He approached Olaf hesitantly as he said "Why don't you turn command over to me Lieutenant. I can surrender to the Germans while you can continue the fight. I am a Dane and my roots are here. You're a Swede."
Olaf smiled at his executive officer and ran to the de Havilland "Blackhawk," he yell" I ban want to join you."
The other Blackhawks looked to Blackhawk. Zeg and Stan had each noticed that the base's commander's accent differed from the rest of the Danes and told Blackhawk. "Why Olaf, why do you want join us and where are you from?"
Olaf looked directly into Blackhawk's piercing eyes. "I am a Swede. I was not allowed to enlist in the Swedish army because I have been against the Nazis since the beginnings of their rise to power. The Swedish Government may give a tacit approval to the Nazis, but I don't. I am from the circus Blackhawk. A lot of my old friends are Gypsies. I am sure you know how the Nazis feel about Gypsies."
Blackhawk grinned at Olaf and said to his men "looks like we have another pilot. Let's get to England and get some planes."
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 31, 2021 2:10:06 GMT
Chapter 58
The British Major Wheeler-Nicholson started to taxi his De Havilland Air Transport as soon as the door shut. In the back with Blackhawk sat three of his fellow Poles and their newest companion, Olaf, two Danes who had been part of the ground Crew at the air base that Olaf had commanded and the French Captain Blanc-Dumont. The seating was sparse and uncomfortable. It would be cold as well once they got airborne.
"So Captain Blanc-Dumont," said Blackhawk. "What does your government think of my proposal?"
"I do not know Monsieur" Said the captain. "But since you no longer use your rank...please call me Andre. The handsome Frenchman smiled at the two enlisted ground crewmen and added "All of you."
"Okay" said Zeg who didn't know exactly Blackhawk was planning either asked, "Can you how come England and France haven't had any offensive operation against the Germans/"
"No, unfortunately I have not been a part of command decisions. I have been stuck in the French Embassy in London. I haven't even flown in the war" said Andre in an obviously frustrated tone. "You four Blackhawks have done more against the Germans than the entire Allied Armies."
The plane became quiet after Andre's sad proclamation. Each man sat deep in their own thoughts. Their solace was violent interrupted when machine gun bullets ripped through the fuselage. One of the Danes was hit and the plane started careening in all kinds of swerving maneuvers.
Andre went immediately to the stricken Dane. He looked at the others saying "I have some medical skill."
The pilots knew that the Major Wheeler- Nicholson must be trying to get the German fighter off their tail; but the constant statacco of bullets flying all around them told them he wasn't being that successful.
"Hey mates," a voice different from the major's called out from the cockpit. "Could one of you blokes see to the major?" I need 'im outta 'ere an' one of you to 'elp me fly this thing. They're not the easiest birds to fly."
The other Danish grounds crewman was frozen with fright. Andre was already attending the wounded Dane so the Blackhawks headed to the cockpit. Zeg and Olaf handed the badly wounded major over to Stan. All the while the De Havilland was swerving this way and that as is tried to get away from the German fighter.
As soon as his men move the stricken British major out of the way Blackhawk hopped in his blood soaked seat. He noted the man in the co-pilot seat was old enough to be the father f any of the other men on board. He had a white mustache and pale blue eyes which had a very steely look about them as he stared about the skies in serious concentration.
"Listen mate, I've been flyin' these beasties for wee bit so I'm in command.' The man waited half a second to see if the famed Blackhawk would object and was pleased when he didn't. "We aren't gonna survive this if we try to make to England so we're back to Europe. But first I've gotta kill the Messerschmitt on our bloody ass. I'm gonna "andle the controls. I need your strength to 'elp. Do what I do, but don't do any thin' else and we will survive."
Even as the older man had been speaking he had the plane rise ever higher into the air at an almost perpendicular angle. The German fighter followed in hot pursuit. The De Havilland then looped back in a maneuver she was never designed to perform. Blackhawk was very well worried about the stresses put on the fuselage but the Englishman had a mad grin on his face as if he was enjoying this.
He then cut the power to his engines and the De Havilland fell like a ruptured duck. The Messerschmitt was still hot on their tail. Their momentum was climbing exponentially. The smiling Englishman quickly turned the motors back on. One of them was exceedingly stubborn but it eventually did roar to life. The plane broke out of its headlong dive mere feet above the English Channel. The German fighter however crashed into the sea.
The Englishman turned to Blackhawk and said "Well now that was a bit a fun a mate? Unfortunately I don't think the old girl will be up to crossin' the channel. She's too shot up."
Blackhawk agreed. The plane was now shaking even though they were flying in a nice even keel in calm weather. He was still amazed at the mad Englishman piloting skill. It was as good as any of his men.
"Were do you want me to land my wounded bird sir?" asked the Englishman.
"Anywhere you want. With Major Wheeler-Nicholson being wounded you're in command' said Blackhawk
The Englishman roared with laughter at Blackhawk's remark. "Me, a bloody sergeant in charge of all you officers?
A sergeant?" asked Blackhawk
"That's right sir, Air Sergeant Baker at your service."
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 31, 2021 2:10:18 GMT
Chapter 59
The crippled De Havilland struggled to remain aloft. Air Sergeant Baker was grimacing now. He could not get his wounded bird more than twenty feet above the waves. He turned to Blackhawk and said "'Ave the mates back there dump out anything we don't need. I " 'ave 'er under control for now but we'll need more lift once we 'er a shore."
Blackhawk nodded. He went back and saw the concerned looks one his men, the Danish ground crewmen, and the French Captain Andre Blanc-Dumont. He told them what they had to do. The plane was unfortunately empty for the most part. Andre came to Blackhawk saying "Wheeler-Nicholson is dead. We may as well throw him overboard as well."
The Danish ground crew looked at each other with that proclamation. One of them was shot in the leg. He turned three shades whiter than he already was with Andre's statement. Olaf saw his former men's discomfort and said quietly "It will be a burial at sea." Both men nodded; they were still uncomfortable with the idea but the Danish people come from sea faring stock and know all about giving the dead to the oceans. So did Blackhawk; he helped Andre pick up the major's body and tossed it overboard. Vladham said several prayers in Latin as they did.
Hans Ritter Hendrickson was sitting on his porch smoking his favorite pipe while listening to the latest news from the BBC even Blackhawk and his companions struggled with the fatally wounded transport plane. He was a portly man with white hair and a handlebar moustache. He was also incredibly sad with a pain that only time can ease but never cure.
His wife of some twenty-three years had passed away six months ago. He had sold off all of the stock on his small farm since her death and now only had the two draft horses he used for plowing the fields. His old dog Max had died during the winter and Hendrickson felt like dying himself. He was contemplating suicide because he felt that he had nothing left to live for.
In his younger days he had been an aviator. He was one off the Kaiser Wilhelm's aces. His father was Dutch, but his mother had been raised in Germany and when the Great War broke out Hendrickson volunteered to help his mother's homeland.
It was there he met his wife. The sad times after the lost war were mitigated by the fact that they had each other. He didn't practice any religion but his late mother and wife were Jewish. His wife went to the local synagogue faithfully every week. They left Germany after one ugly incident in 1935 where she was accosted on the street in front of the temple with many on looking witnesses. He tried to have charges pressed against the brown shirted thugs who attacked his wife but was told by the local authorities, some of whom were long time friends that nothing could be done in the current political climate.
They moved back to his native Holland two months later and bought the small farm he still owned. Only because no one is willing to give me a fair offer he thought to himself. Even everything gone the land is a beautiful piece of God's handiwork that I have labored over with great love and I won't sell it for anything less that fair market value.
He heard the coughing motors from an air plane that was coming from the other side of his porch. Curious he got up from his chair and went around to the other side of his house. He saw the De Havilland failing in its struggle to stay aloft. He saw it crash into his unplowed fields.
He ran back into his house and grabbed his shot gun and his first aid kit because the crash was more of the belly flop kind than a head long dive. There might be men inside who needed help. Or there might be Nazis who be needed to held until the authorities came.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 31, 2021 2:10:33 GMT
Chapter 60
The British De Havilland transport plane crashed in an almost graceful manner. Air Sergeant Baker managed to keep the mortally wounded plane level enough so that it landed flat on its belly. Everyone inside scramble out of the plane just in case the plane was going to catch fire,
Blackhawk started issuing orders as soon as they got out of the plane. "Zeg," he said have the men set up a parameter. Baker, you and Asger check your plane for anything we can salvage."
The young Danish had a dumb smile on his face as he said to himself "He knew my name...I only told him once and yet he knew it."
Baker had taken off his cap to reveal a bald head said "That's why Blackhawk become the bloody legend 'e is. It takes more than flyin' ability to do that. Its 'is smarts, take it from me. I know."
Meanwhile Zeg had each of the remaining Blackhawks guard on each point of the compass. Qlaf quickly picked up on what the others were doing and went to the last side on the west.
Andre was kneeling next to his wounded patient, the Danish ground crewman who had been shot in the leg. Both men were smoking a cigarette when Blackhawk knelt beside them. "How's your patient?" he asked in English.
"He is fine, the bullet didn't hit a bone of the femoral artery" replied Andre in French. "He does not understand English and it would not be fair to speak about him in a language he does not understand."
"You're right" said Blackhawk, "My apologies Augustus."
Blackhawk then stood up and started to assess their situation and he did not like it.
"Andre came up beside him and said "You have quite a way with the men under your command Monsieur Blackhawk."
"Just Blackhawk Andre" said Blackhawk.
Baker came out of the plane "All we 'ave is these two Enfield rifles that were behind the seats in the cockpit...plus my Webley Pistol. I do trust someone was bloody well smart enough to remember to take Major Wheeler –Nicholson's off 'im before 'e wsa tossed overboard."
"Oui," said Andre "I have it and my own as well"
Blackhawk smiled grimly at the realization that at least all his men, including the wounded August could be armed. "Can August walk" he asked Andre quietly.
The Frenchman gave a silent no in response. Ah well he thought to himself, you have to take the good with the bad.
"Blackhawk, we ban have some vun coming this way. And he is armed with a shotgun" called out Olaf.
Hendrickson was running at full gallop. He had a mild sweat as is had been a while since he had intensely worked out, but he wasn't gasping for air when he suddenly came to a complete stop. Had he really heard the name Blackhawk? "Who's in command over dere in dat plane? He yelled.
The Blackhawks and other members of their party all looked to Blackhawk who said "I am."
"Und who are you?" asked Hendrickson.
"Blackhawk"
"Donwitter" exclaimed Hendrickson. He lifted his shotgun over his head and walked towards the downed plane. "I have a first aid kit if anyone needs one."
"Stand down men" said Blackhawk to the Blackhawks as the Dutchman approached.
Hendrickson judged the scene as neared the stricken plane, there were nine men, four were wearing the uniforms of the Blackhawks, one was wearing a flight suit, another was wear the uniform of a French Air Force officer, two of the other three had on the coveralls that maintenance personal wore and the last man had on a uniform that he couldn't quite place. His collar insignia said he was an officer and his accent said he was Norse.
Blackhawk holstered his gun as he waited for the man. "We have one wounded. He's patched up but he can't walk."
"Da, I see" send Hendrickson. "We should get all of you back to my house. The authorities should be coming soon." He looked at his shotgun before adding "I was going to hold you myself if you were Nazis. And you can be sure that those bastards would pressure by government if you were in their custody. So please follow me."
"Too bad I didn't get a chance to radio 'ome our coordinates" said Baker. "There's something about that chap that's familiar. An' I don't like it."
"Cant be helped" said Blackhawk "Zeg, you and Stan take the Enfields, you two are our best shots, I want you to go on to the farm. Baker, you and Asger carry August to our host's farm. Andre, I'd like you, Vlad, Olaf, and I to reconnoiter the area a good mile out. Each of us should hit the points of the compass and meet back at the farm in one hour from now.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 31, 2021 2:10:46 GMT
Chapter 61
Hendrickson led the Blackhawks and their companions to his small farmhouse. "We can put the wounded man in the bed. I'm sure dat all of you would like to rest there too but I think he needs it more." Once the man was settled in bed Hendrickson started cooking for his company.
The house had two levels and Zeg had Stan take watch upstairs. "I'll relieve you in a couple of hours. Asger stayed with his fellow ground crewman, Augustus; both were obviously afraid they had gotten into something way over their heads. Baker was studying the photos on Hendrickson's fireplace mantle. "Aha," he exclaimed as he pulled out his pistol, "You're a bloody German."
"What?" said Zeg as he saw Baker pull his gun. Hendrickson calmly continued to make supper.
"No, I'm Dutch. I fought for the Kaiser in the last war because my mother came from Germany" explained Hendrickson.
"How do you know this man Baker" asked a confused Zeg.
"We met six times during the Great War. I shot 'im down in 1915. Back in those days we repatriated fliers so I met "im again in 1916 an 'e shot me down. I also saw 'im just before I was repatriated back to our lines. We met three other times in the sky but our dogfights came out a draw each time" explained Baker.
Zeg looked at the man claiming to be a Dutch farmer for a denial. Instead he got a confirmation.
"Dot's true, everything Baker said is true. I can add that it was I who made sure that a lowly sergeant was repatriated along with he officers. My being an ace helped a great deal" said Hendrickson.
Baker grudgingly said "I always wondered about that. I know it upset the officers I was sent 'ome with."
Hendrickson said "I wanted a rematch." Both of the older men then laughed.
"War in the air was more of a gentlemanly affair back then Zeg," explained Baker, who still had his gun trained on Hendrickson, who was still preparing a large chicken for their dinner.
"Why aren't you with the Bloody Germans this time?" asked Baker "I mean you said your mother was German."
"No, I said she came from Germany. She was Jewish" said Hendrickson.
"So what's that to do with anything?" inquired Baker
Hendrickson inhaled deeply before saying, "My wife was also Jewish. She and I lived in Germany until 1933 when she was accosted by some Nazi thugs and the local officials wouldn't do anything. We left soon after. If I fight in this war it will be against those Nazi scum."
Zeg nodded in understanding, "We Blackhawks have seen what their doing to the Jews in Poland. It is a very bad situation;" he said grimly. "It's going to be bad wherever they rule."
Baker didn't understand. He knew that the Nazis used the Jews as scapegoats for everything but these two seemed to be saying there was more to it. He let the matter drop knew that Zeg wasn't going to pursue the matter of Hendrickson fighting for the Germans in the last war and that probably meant Blackhawk wouldn't either.
Zeg, ever the diplomat's son changed the subject by asking "Where is Mrs. Hendrickson?"
The Dutchman sighed heavily as he said "She died of the cancer six months ago."
Baker unexpectedly put his hand on Hendrickson's shoulder, "Sorry mate, I lost my Mary three months ago in a Ger...Nazi bombing raid."
One by one Blackhawk and the others returned to the aroma a fresh chicken roasting in Hendrickson's oven. None of them saw anything but Hendrickson said that he certain that the authorities were going to start searching for the plane in the morning.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 31, 2021 2:10:58 GMT
Chapter 62
Hendrickson spent the night in his rocking chair as the wounded Dane, Augustus, had taken his bed. His son' room was empty but he asked his guests to leave it undisturbed. The boy was safe in Italy studying the Great Italian Renaissance Masters. He was already an accomplished painter having studied in the best schools in Amsterdam. He had wisely stayed away from Vienna. The boy, Hendrickson laughed at the thought because his son was twenty-six-years-old. He wanted to study in Paris as well but he wrote in his last letter that he was going to stay out of France so long as she was at war with Germany. His son was an ardent pacifist; He and Hans often had heated arguments about the older Hendrickson's firearms hobby.
Hendrickson relit his pipe several times during the night as he thought over his past and what he must do with these downed airmen. He knew Hans was never coming back to the farm. He had said as much when they buried his mother. Still he just couldn't bear having these men of war in his pacifist son's bed. There was nothing left here on the farm for him either; he had been looking for a reason to leave and now he had one: he would take these men and take them to the border with Belgium.
Late in the night Blackhawk came out and joined him as he sat and rocked. The younger man sat on the top step and leaned against the post the held the awning up. "Thank you for everything Mr. Hendrickson" he said.
"It's just Hendrickson Blackhawk. I'd asked you to call me Hans or Ritter, but they both sound too German these days. What are you going to do tomorrow?"
Blackhawk rubbed his temples and thought for a moment. "Suppose we're going to build a stretcher for Augustus and start walking towards Amsterdam. The British and French embassies are there. We can contact those governments and we can then fly out of here."
"It's a long walk Blackhawk. I have a pair of draft horses and a wagon. We a can load all of you aboard and I'll take you to Amsterdam. The police will be looking for you. You're downed airmen of a foreign government. And you Blackhawks have a very, very high price on your heads. The Nazis would exert all the pressure they could to bring back to Germany. The wagon will give you a better chance of getting to the Allies. There are also more than a few Nazi sympathizers around here in the police" explained Hendrickson.
Blackhawk nodded "I thank you for your offer, but I can't take your wagon. How will you be able to farm?
Hendrickson smiled 'as he said "I am planning to sell it; but first I need to see you safely in Amsterdam"
"Are you sure?" questioned Blackhawk.
"Yes, but we need a few more rifles in case we run into some of those brown shirted Nazi sympathizers I told you about. Follow me to the barn." Hendrickson got up and started walking with a lightness in his step that had been missing since the day his wife died. "I am only a fair farmer Blackhawk, but I am a master gunsmith. I have quite a few older models that we should take with us."
Blackhawk was amazed at the collection of rifles and muskets that were in the barn. Most were Breech loading bolt action weapons like the French Chassepot or older. "I have plenty of ammunition Blackhawk. They're all sighted to perfection" boasted the Dutchman as he walked through the barn to the other side where there were several portable targets. I use these to perfect the accuracy." Hendrickson frowned sadly as he remembered his last argument with his son over his prized possessions. "I hope they and I can be of use to you."
The next morning the ten men had a hearty breakfast before headed out on the long road to Amsterdam. There was a rifle ad pistol for each man. The weapons Hendrickson provided were antiquated, but they would be effective in the hands of a capable solder.
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