Red Hawk Rising

by Peter William Hall

  At the gates to RAF Ouston, Andy checked in and showed his identification. It was now almost 17:00 hours. He was let past and drove to the car park near the barracks. Going into the barrack room, he found Lance and Dan in bed fast asleep. One of the other corporals was busy with preparing a training manual from which others joining the unit would be trained. He explained that the whole team had finished at lunchtime. The officer, ‘Sarge’, Lance and Dan were to catch up on lost sleep and the rest of them were given other tasks such as he was doing. Andy went and found their driver, Higgins. “Hi! I’ve got to return a Wolseley to the Station Hotel in Newcastle but I’ll need a lift back. If I can get authorisation would you be able to follow me down and bring me back?”

  “Sure,” replied Higgins, “but can we leave it until after we’ve had dinner?”

  “Certainly, and thanks,” replied Andy. “I’ll see if I can find the duty officer since Goodhew is having a sleep.” Andy headed for the orderly room to find out where he could locate the duty officer.

  As he was asking the airman where he could find him, the admin sergeant hung up the ‘phone and asked, “Are you Corporal Hill from the JSTU?”

  “Yes, I am,” replied Andy.

  “I’ve got a message for you from your adjutant at RAF Low Fenton. You are to telephone him as soon as possible,” he was told.

  “Right. Could I do that from here?” asked Andy. The sergeant pointed to a telephone on an unoccupied desk and Andy headed for it. He gave the switchboard operator the number and waited for the connection. Within two minutes, he heard WO (Warrant Officer) Miller’s voice. “Corporal Hill here, sir. You wanted me to telephone you.”

  “Yes, Corporal Hill. The CO has said that you are to stay with the team at Wensley Electronics for the time being. Apparently, it is to do with this morning’s activities. He is talking to Flight Lieutenant Gaskin right now. Your section commander will talk to you later about changes to your schedule of visits.”

  Andy replied, “Thank you, sir,” and hung up and turned to the airman about the duty officer.

  “He’s over at the control tower at present. Try telephoning there,” said the airman, and gave Andy the extension number. Andy nodded his thanks and dialled. On talking to the duty officer, Andy explained the situation. He was told to go to the MT Section and get an authorisation filled out and he would sign it. Andy thanked him and headed out of the orderly room.

  Back on the Ivor Noventsky, the crew were ready for departure. Captain Petrovsky looked grim. This was the first time that things had not gone smoothly for them. He wondered what had happened to Vasiliy. He hoped that he would be able to clear himself but Vasiliy could end up in a British prison. He gave the order to cast off and eased away from the wharf, heading toward the mouth of the Tyne. Ten minutes later the trawler cleared the piers and started rising and falling with the heavy swell. Petrovsky ordered an east-north-east course as though they were heading for the Baltic Sea. As the vessel turned on course, he caught sight of a grey vessel following them out. The Royal Navy was going to shadow him, it seemed.

  About this time, Major Garasov had concluded that the operation had failed. All those that had taken part in the operation, including the Communist Party secretary in Newcastle, had gone silent. The driver he had sent to keep watch had also gone. He made arrangements for one of their people to drive over on the morrow to see what had happened. It would soon be dark and they would need daylight. He made a report to Moscow and then decided to call it a day.

  CHAPTER 6

  During the evening meal, Andy had to put up with some friendly banter about ‘swanning around the countryside instead of working’. Andy didn’t say much except to say that they delivered both units to Wensley Electronics safe and sound. After the meal he headed for the telephone box and called Alice with the news that he wouldn’t be leaving just yet. After three minutes, the operator asked Andy if he wanted to extend. He said, “Yes” and put more coins in so that they could talk on. Alice suggested that, if he were free, they meet on the morrow in the evening. Andy said that if he could borrow a bicycle, he could cycle over in less than half an hour. It was only eight miles to Corbridge from the base. They agreed to meet as early as possible after he got back to RAF Ouston from the factory. He would skip the evening meal and go over after getting changed. They talked until the three minutes were up and then said goodnight to each other and hung up. No-one else was waiting to use the telephone so Andy placed a reverse-charges call to Lutterworth and was quickly connected. He reported in briefly, without giving any detail that an operator would understand, and said that the exercise was very successful with all targets accomplished. He also reported his delayed departure from the north but Lutterworth already knew and said that a letter was on its way to him. He should get it tomorrow. Andy hung up the ‘phone and headed back to the barracks. That would be tomorrow after work before he got it. So be it. It was a little after 18.00 hours when Andy and Higgins drove out of the base after having their evening meal. At that time of day it was a fairly quick run into Newcastle and they were back at Ouston not long after 19.00 hours. The barrack room was empty so Andy headed out to the NAAFI and found Lance and Dan there. The time was now about 19.30 hours and Lance suggested that they drive over to Stamfordham for a beer. The other two readily agreed and they headed over to the car park to Lance’s car. Driving over, Andy told them that he had been told to stay on here until further notice so he was meeting Alice tomorrow evening. “What time?” asked Lance.

  “As soon as I can get there after work,” replied Andy.

  “I’m meeting Anne in Hexham tomorrow evening and I’m heading out after work so we can have meal together. Why don’t I drop you off in Corbridge on the way through?”

  Andy thought that a great idea. “Good. I won’t have to borrow a bicycle to get over there,” he replied.

  As they were coming in to Stamfordham, Lance said, “The ‘Bay Horse’ is the closest. How about going in there?” The other two agreed. They parked across the road from the pub on the edge of the village green and headed into the bar. It was fairly quiet for a Tuesday evening. A group of four farm labourers were in one corner and a couple of local ‘old timers’ sitting at the bar. It was a typical old pub of the area with a wooden bar and the pump handles polished smooth with use. The room was L-shaped and there was a dartboard at the short end of the L. A log fire was on in the hearth although it wasn’t particularly chilly. Brasses hung on the wall and there were photos of local events decorating it too. Smoke curled over the table with the farm workers and wreathed along the ceiling near the bar. The three airmen were in working dress uniform and as they entered, they got some hard looks from the corner. The barmaid, a well-endowed young woman with raven-coloured hair and in her early twenties, gave them a big smile. Lance and Sean had been there before and she recognised them. “Nice to see you boys again,” she said. “Who’s your friend?”

  “This is Andy. Andy, this is Jenny, who does a good job making the place more beautiful.”

  At the remark, Jenny flushed with pleasure. “What would you like?”

  Impishly Lance said, “I think we’d better stick to ‘Exhibition.’ That okay with you two?” They nodded their agreement. Jenny gave a wicked smile back, understanding his cheeky implication, and went to draw the beers.

  The conversation at the bar had been overheard at the corner table and one of the men muttered, “They shouldn’t talk to ’er like that!”

  His mate said, “Leave it, Eddie. They mean no ‘arm.”

  He muttered on, “They’d better watch it.”

  The three airmen stood at the bar and chatted and Jenny came over and joined in the conversation. “Where you all from, then? All over the country, I ’xpect.”

  Dan said, “Not really. I’m from Wark, up the North Tyne and Andy’s from Alnwick — only we’ve lost our accents somewhat.”

  “What about you then, cheeky?” she asked Lance.

  “He put on a strong Welsh acce
nt for her benefit and said, “Cwmbran. That means the ‘Valley of the Crows’.”

  “Do you all sing like the crows?” she asked cheekily.

  “This is not the place to demonstrate,” said Lance.

  Just then, Eddie the farm worker came up to the bar and ordered another round. Jenny set to with the pouring of their beers.

  “I don’t want you talking to them airmen like that, Jenny,” Eddie said.

  “There’s nothing wrong with my talking to them, Eddie Freeman. They’re nice young men.”

  “You’re my girl and I don’t want you talking to them,” Eddie responded.

  “I’ll talk to them if I want,” Jenny replied. “You don’t own me.” She finished pouring the drinks and took his money, slamming down the change with, “Go back to your mates and don’t start anything or I’ll call Constable Sawyer.” Eddie glared at Jenny and took the drinks back to the corner table. He sat down and took a big gulp of the beer.

  “You gonna stand for that, Eddie?” asked one of his mates.

  “I wouldn’t have ’er speaking to you like that,” said another, egging him on. Eddie drank more of his beer, scowling as Jenny went back along the bar and talked to the three airmen again. Andy asked for some nuts and crisps and Jenny got them for him. Andy split the packets open for them all to share them and Jenny got two bowls from under the counter and emptied the contents of the bags into them.

  Dan thanked her for looking after them and said, “You’re more than a pretty barmaid. That’s real service.” Jenny flushed up with pleasure. Dan ordered another round of drinks.

  As she served them, one of Eddie’s mates said, “Look how she’s sucking up to them. One of them’ll be asking to take her home next.” Eddie scowled into his drink even more. He was getting flushed after several drinks. The three airmen chatted away at the bar, including Jenny in their conversation when she wasn’t serving or doing other tasks. All the time Eddie’s mates were stoking up the atmosphere at their table with comments about Jenny and the airmen. About twenty minutes had gone by since Eddie had ordered the last round. One of his mates got up and went to the bar and ordered another round.

  Jenny said, “Don’t you think Eddie’s had enough to drink? He’s got an early start in the morning.”

  His mate said, “What right have you got to decide when Eddie’s had enough? He can decide that for himself. You should pay him more attention instead of chatting up those RAF blokes.”

  Jenny could barely contain herself. “George Milburn, you’ve no right to say things like that to me. I’ll get your drinks.” The three airmen stopped talking at the last outburst and saw what was happening.

  Andy said, “I think someone is stoking up trouble and it’s aimed in our direction.” The other two agreed.

  “Let’s finish our drinks and go before something happens,” said Dan. George took the drinks back to the table and made some comment about Jenny and the airmen. Eddie took his drink and had a gulp. His two mates also made comments.

  As the three airmen finished their drinks and said goodnight to Jenny, Eddie got up and headed for them. “You airmen, get out and leave my girl alone. She’s not for the likes of you!”

  “Okay,” said Lance, “we’re leaving. Just keep your shirt on.” That was enough for Eddie. He made a charge at them with his fists raised. Andy turned and as Eddie came charging up, Andy’s right arm shot out with an upraised thumb that connected with Eddie’s larynx right under the chin. Eddie’s momentum caused the larynx to depress against Andy’s thumb. The breathing stopped because of a closed larynx and his eyes bulged out. His arms dropped to his sides as the pressure was maintained and his eyes started to go glassy. Andy took his thumb away and the three of them left the pub.

  Inside the pub, there was a silence for about thirty seconds. Then one of the old men at the bar said, “Did you see that? He stopped Eddie Freeman with just his thumb!” Eddie was standing there, weaving a little and clutching his throat as he noisily gulped air into his lungs. His three mates were standing at the table with their mouths open and looking quite surprised. They had expected to see more action than they did. Outside, the three airmen got into Lance’s car and he quietly drove away and back to base.

  ***

  The next day, Wednesday, the whole team were back at Wensley Electronics. The new klystron unit was taken out of store and checked in the lab for correct calibration. There was a positive atmosphere in the factory and the work proceeded quickly. Andy went on with his work of developing the data recording system for the radar unit. During the morning he received a telephone call from security to say a Mr Louden wished to see him. Andy went out to the security office at the main gate and gave the car keys to Louden and walked out with him. Louden said, “That was good work yesterday. We caught the whole cell from this area. The other two were a bonus. Our Manchester team cleaned out those involved at Argonaut Industries so that’s been a really good day’s work. Thanks for your help. No doubt Mr Hamilton will see you about a full de-briefing.”

  “No doubt,” thought Andy but said, “Thanks for the opportunity.” They shook hands and Andy headed back into the factory. He also had to make a full report to Lutterworth but that would be written and sent registered mail. “Ah well,” he thought, “at least I get a chance to see Alice again.”

  At that moment, Alice was looking at a page 3 article in the ‘Daily Mail’ about police foiling an attempted robbery from a van at Scotch Corner that was followed by a high-speed chase up the A1 where two more were apprehended. There was a photograph of an arrested man with a plain-clothes policeman who looked just like Andy. She would have to show it to her father. At the Russian Consulate in Manchester, Major Garasov was also reading the same article and noting the likeness to Corporal Hill and one of their agents to the two men in the photograph. In the last twenty-four hours, his network in the area had been severely dented and he linked this man to it. The telephone was also busy between MI5, the Air Ministry and the Lutterworth organisation. The photograph was a difficulty because it compromised an operative and also let Moscow know they had one of Moscow’s agents. There could be a strong reaction.

  At lunchtime, the team went to the canteen for lunch and Dan picked up a copy of the ‘Daily Mail’ after he had eaten. When he saw the article and photograph on page 3, he had a chuckle at the thought of Andy being in the police. At the same time, he wondered what Andy was doing on such an operation as was reported. He decided not to say anything to the others until he had talked with Andy.

  Flying Officer Goodhew had also been briefed by the Unit CO following a telephone call from Group Captain Clarkson. He called the team together after lunch and took them to a training room in the personnel department. “You are all aware that there has been an attempt to sabotage the radar unit for the Red Hawk system. It was discovered that there was a network working for the Russians and they planned to steal the new klystron unit before it was delivered to us yesterday. MI5 planned to foil the attempt and this was done successfully. Corporal Hill has some skills not associated with his normal duties and Mr Hamilton from MI5 asked for him in case these particular skills were needed. The request was granted by the CO. The public think the man in the photo is a plain-clothes police officer and this is to remain the case. If anyone suggests that it is Corporal Hill you are to deny it and say that it is someone who looks like him. Our work is top secret and the activities of all of you in this team remain under that classification. The CO has been asked to convey the thanks of Air Ministry for the efforts that you all put in and for your contribution to the operation’s success. Because of it, we will be moving to RAF West Sanby next week. You will have this weekend to put personal matters in order before you leave. In view of the incidents, the equipment will be handed over to the RAF on Friday at the factory instead of being delivered and handed over at RAF West Sanby. RAF transport will arrive on Friday to collect the radar unit and your tools and equipment. Tomorrow we prepare for the move in ‘transportable’ mo
de. Corporal Hill, you will document that preparation and note any difficulties. Any questions?” A few shakes of the head.

  Sarge said, “Apparently not, sir.”

  Goodhew nodded, “Good. Let’s get to it.” He then beckoned to Corporal Hill and said, “Prepare a full report on your activities yesterday for the benefit of MI5, since you were working for them then. You can stay in here to do that. Also give me a brief report of the time you worked for them, noting the time I dropped you off to the time you reported back to RAF Ouston. I understand they are particularly pleased with your work yesterday. That brings credit to our unit. Thank you. Unless you receive orders to the contrary, you will travel down to Coventry on Monday. Your travel documents should arrive by Friday.”