War Brothers

by Patrick Slaney

  I approached the man holding the name board.

  ‘Are you Charles Johnson?’ This was the name that I had been given.

  ‘Yes, and you must be Lieutenant Becker?’

  ‘Correct. Thank you for coming to meet me, but please call me Markus.’

  Charles had a particularly friendly face and a wonderful warm smile. He must have been in his fifties with thinning grey hair and thick spectacles. He was much smaller than me, although his height was diminished further by a pronounced stoop. I surmised that he had been bending over, working on projects for most of his life. I took to him immediately and knew that I would enjoy working with him.

  ‘I have a car and driver outside the station if you like to follow me.’ He set off out of the station and turned left. We soon came to an old army car of some obscure make, and he put my bag in the trunk. The driver got out and opened the rear door for me, and I got in. Charles Johnson got in the back with me.

  ‘It’s not too far to the workshops in Lutterworth so we should be there in about forty minutes,’ he said as he settled himself into the seat. ‘Our funding is still not what we need for the development hence we have to make do with this rather old car, but it should get us there.’

  ‘Is it a large factory?’ I asked.

  ‘It is a large factory complex owned by the British Thomson-Houston company. We only use one of the buildings at this stage, and it is just about adequate as we don’t have a lot of people working with us.’

  ‘Where will I be staying, is it close to the factory?’

  ‘There is an old Coaching Inn in the centre of Lutterworth where we have booked you in. I am not too sure how good it is, but if it isn’t to your liking we will try and find a better spot.’

  ‘I am sure that it will be perfect. I am six feet three inches tall so the biggest problem I usually have is that the beds are too short, and I hang out over either end.’

  ‘I’ll drop you off there this evening and stick around while you check it all out’

  ‘I appreciate you looking after me so well; you must be an exceedingly busy man’

  ‘I am hopeful that you are going to ease my workload while you are with us. There is method in my madness.’ He smiled at me in a knowing way. ‘I believe you have done three years in a University Engineering School, so you should know your bolts from your screws.’

  ‘Yes, I was mid-way through my last year when I was called up for the air force at the outbreak of war,’ I replied.

  ‘If you have a modicum of intelligence you will be fine and will be an asset to us during your stay here.’

  When we arrived at the workshops, I was given a tour of the facility, and introduced to the rest of the staff. A strong smell of vapourized fuel was everywhere we went and hit the back of my throat. Frank Whittle wasn’t there, so I didn’t meet the genius who had been the originator of the new technology.

  Charles explained to me that his boss had to spend far too much of his valuable time going around trying to convince the decision makers at the air ministry that the Jet Engine was the propulsion system of the future. Unfortunately, they had experienced a number of problems in the development and the engine hadn’t been able to run at full power. After lunch, they did run the engine up to half power, and I was amazed at the noise and vibration that it generated. The smell of fuel increased considerably. Over the next two months, I was to get used to that massive noise. Even with ear muffs the noise was deafening

  A few mornings later I was introduced to Frank Whittle. I had been warned that he had been on sick leave since the 10th December, but I was still horrified at how gaunt and tired he looked. It was a pleasant surprise when his energy and charisma came shining through as he spoke.

  ‘Well Lieutenant Becker what do you think of my little operation here?’

  ‘I am very impressed with what I see Sir. I had read up about the technology, but to see the engine running has convinced me that it is the future.’

  ‘As a young engineer you can see the opportunities, but, I am afraid, the chiefs in the Air Ministry don’t agree with you. I waste half my time talking to them when I should be working on the engine. Unfortunately, I have to indulge them as they provide most of the funds for the development, and they are not convinced. I am worn out chasing backwards and forwards to London.’

  ‘I am sorry to hear that Sir. I think that what you have developed is incredible,’ I said enthusiastically.

  ‘Major Richards has told me that you have agreed to try and obtain information on the German jet engine Markus. We will do whatever we can to give you the knowledge you need for your job. You will work alongside Charles Johnson, who you have already met, and his team will use you to help them work on the engines. I can guarantee that you will learn a lot, but the hours will be long. The others do not know why you are here or about your upcoming mission, so be careful what you say.’

  ‘I feel extremely privileged in being allowed to join your team for two months, and I will do everything in my power to contribute to the project during that time.’

  ‘Any help will be greatly appreciated. You had better go and join Charles now and get stuck in. I’ll talk to you every Friday to make sure that you are getting on OK.’

  Very encouraged by my conversation with the brilliant engineer, I went off to find Charles.

  Clearly the whole project was at a crisis point. The aircraft that had been developed to test the jet engine was ready, but the unit that the main engine supplier, Rover, was supposed to have built to Whittle’s design still wasn’t operational. The Power Jets team, based at the BTH factory, had cobbled together an engine from spare parts and other devious sources. This was the prototype that was now running successfully and was being refined to fit the air frame of the Gloster Meteor, the aircraft specially developed for the engine..

  I have never worked so hard. I rolled out of bed at 6:00 am every morning, including weekends, and generally didn’t get back to the Inn until ten o’clock each night. The whole team were involved in getting the engine ready to be fitted to the Meteor and the effort being made by the few of us had to be seen to be believed. The time flew by, February turned into March, and it soon was time for me to return to Witley Park. I was so involved in the atmosphere at Power Jets and the preparation of the engine for its first flight that I genuinely didn’t want to leave.

  On my last night, Charles, and a few of the technicians invited me to the local pub. They presented me with a little replica of the engine that an apprentice had turned on a lathe. I was very chuffed to receive such a gift and also to hear the nice words that they said about me.

  ‘Markus, we want to thank you for being such an important member of our team for the past two months,’ Charles said. ‘You didn’t have to work the long hours with us, but you did, and we greatly appreciated your efforts. When you see the Gloster Meteor flash by overhead, you will at least be able to say that you contributed to the engine flying that plane.’

  ‘I also would like to thank you Charles for making the past two months so enjoyable and for teaching me so much about the jet engine. I will treasure this model for the rest of my life and remember very fondly my time with you in Power Jets.’ As I made my little speech I held the model aloft in my right hand.

  The following morning bright and early Charles picked me up in the same old car that had brought me to Lutterworth at the start of January, and I was driven to Rugby train station.

  ‘Many thanks Charles for coming with me this morning. I am going to miss the team at Power Jets and just wish that I could stay with you until I see the Gloster Meteor fly,’ I said, offering my right hand.

  ‘We have enjoyed having you on the team for the last two months, and I just hope that the knowledge you have gained will prove useful to you.’ Charles grabbed my hand and shook it vigorously.

  ‘Thanks again C
harles and I hope that I see you again sometime.’

  ‘You never know Markus. This war brings a lot of surprises.’

  I left him and headed into the station, to catch my train to London.

  Chapter 31

  Four hours later I was through the second checkpoint at Witley Park and was heading into the building. Having dumped my bag in my room, I went downstairs and knocked on the door of Major Richards’ office. Even though it was after lunch on a Saturday, I anticipated that he would be in residence.

  ‘Come in,’ a voice answered.

  I opened the door and stuck my head in to a cloud of tobacco smoke. Luckily the Major was all alone, so I had a chance of talking to him.

  ‘I am back Major.’

  ‘Did you have a successful time Markus?’

  ‘It was really fantastic. They welcomed me as part of their team, and I was fully involved in all aspects of their work. After two months of immersion in their operation, I know all about jet engines and the unique problems encountered in their development.’ My enthusiasm took over my tongue.

  ‘I’m delighted to hear that you haven’t wasted your time. You are going to be extremely busy between now and when you leave on your mission as we have planned in some activity for every day, starting with your exposure to small boats. You will be going to Derwent Water in County Durham to learn sailing for at least two weeks, and you will also do the orienteering test that you failed while you are there.’

  ‘Has Francette Tranquet left on her mission yet Sir?’

  ‘No, and you are back just in time to see her off. She is leaving this coming Tuesday. I have told you that piece of information in confidence Markus, so please don’t say a word to anybody about it.’

  ‘Thank you for your trust Sir. I am relieved that I am back before she left on her mission, I know how nervous she will be and how much support she will need.’

  ‘Anyway Markus, welcome back to Witley Park. You can have a slightly easier weekend than normal, and I would appreciate it if you would give Francette the support she requires. That support doesn’t include amorous activities in her bedroom.’ He smiled.

  ‘Thank you Sir. I will go and see if I can find her.’ I got up and went to locate Francette.

  I found her in one of the small rooms that we were allowed to use when we needed peace and quiet to study.

  ‘Bonjour Francette,’ I said as I went through the door.

  She got up and gave me a loving hug.

  ‘Bonjour Markus. How good it is to see you again. I have missed you.’

  She held both my hands and looked up into my face.

  ‘How did it go, Markus? I hope that you haven’t found another girlfriend while you have been away in Rugby.’

  ‘No, you can relax. I have been working every day from seven in the morning until ten o’clock at night.’

  ‘Even weekends?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes, even weekends, but it was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed the work. How have you been? I hear that you are due to leave this coming Tuesday.’

  ‘I am so glad that you have returned before I left Markus. I am terribly worried about what I have to do. I don’t want to let anybody down and do something stupid when I get to the other end. I don’t want people to be arrested or even killed because of me.’

  ‘You will be fine Francette, and you can only do your best. I can guarantee that you won’t do anything stupid you are far too intelligent.’

  ‘I can’t help thinking about what happened to Vic Biddlecome. He was shot dead just as soon as he landed, and he didn’t stand a chance.’

  ‘Don’t forget Francette that the Germans were leaked the information about his arrival by Elizabeth. She is no longer able to provide details of the missions of the agents based here as she has been locked up for the remainder of the war.’

  ‘One piece of very welcome news is that I won’t have to use a parachute. They will be landing me by plane in a field controlled by the Resistance. I was so worried about using a parachute as I am not strong enough to control where it goes, and, in my practice jumps, I was landing quite a distance from the target.’

  ‘It sounds as if they are looking after you and you will be safe.’ I gave her a reassuring hug.

  We spent the weekend together, walking and talking and generally getting to know each other again. I hadn’t seen a Pathe News for over two months, so we went to watch the movie in the lounge that evening. The news reel was full of the bombing of London and also the bombing raids that the British were making against German positions in Europe. There was also a lot of hype about the victories that the British and their allies had achieved in North Africa against the Italians. Having been brought up in a country that thrived on propaganda, I didn’t know whether what I was looking at was the truth or just fabricated stories to keep the British peoples morale up. Yes, I was suspicious.

  On the Tuesday evening, I was having dinner with Francette, just before she was due to leave on her mission, when Major Richards came in, accompanied by his cloud of smoke, and sat down beside us.

  ‘Are you all set to go Francette?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes I have checked everything a hundred times to make sure that I have no tell-tale labels or anything else to give me away.’

  ‘We will be leaving at 8:30 pm sharp, so you must be dressed and ready by then,’ the Major continued. ‘Would you like to come along to see her off Markus?’

  ‘I certainly would if that is possible.’

  ‘We will have room for you and the car that is taking us to Weston-super-Mare is bringing me back here later, so there is no inconvenience in taking you.’

  ‘I’ll be ready and waiting at 8:30 then.’

  ‘That makes me feel a lot better Markus,’ Francette said to me after the Major had left us.

  ‘Under all that efficiency and bluster he is a thoughtful man,’ I said, genuinely appreciative of his offer.

  We were waiting outside the front door admiring the beautiful, still, moonlit night, by twenty past eight. It couldn’t have been a better night for flying. As we stood there holding hands, we heard the drone of the German bombers flying overhead towards London where they would give the populace another torrid night. It brought the war closer to us at that moment.

  A car pulled up, and, just afterwards, Major Richards came from the house to join us.

  ‘What perfect weather Francette, you will unquestionably be leaving tonight. Let’s go.’

  The Major got into the front of the car with the driver, and Francette and I snuggled into the back seat still holding hands.

  Far too soon we were pulling into the airfield at Weston-super-Mare, driving up close to a lone sinister looking Westland Lysander painted entirely in black. It seemed to be an exceptionally small plane to be taking Francette so far. The Pilot was already on board doing his final checks and seemed to be impatient to take off.

  I got out with Francette, and the Major gave her his last words of wisdom. Finally it was my turn to say good-bye, and I took her into my arms. I would have liked to have held there for hours as I didn’t like the idea of her going off on a highly dangerous mission.

  ‘I have to get on board Markus, can you please let me go.’ She smiled up at me.

  ‘I’ll only let you go if you promise to be extremely careful and not take any unnecessary risks,’ I replied.

  ‘I am going to be alright, and have this strong feeling that we are going to meet up again, get married and have loads of kids.’

  ‘I will be thinking of you all the time, and we will meet up again later in the year. Please look after yourself.’

  We let go of each other, and the Major helped her climb on board the plane. The Pilot started the engine and the plane taxied out to the start of the runway. There was a surge in the noise as the pilot hit the thro
ttle, and the plane trundled down the runway and lifted off into the moonlit night sky. It was soon lost from sight, and we climbed back into the car and returned to Witley Park.

  ‘She is a remarkably brave girl Markus and has bags of talent to match her determination. I am confident that she will come back’

  ‘She is a remarkable girl, and I will miss her. I just hope that someone she trusts doesn’t let her down and give her away.’

  ‘Unfortunately, that always is a risk in our game. I am fairly confident that the group she is going to is a highly committed one and she will be well looked after.’

  ‘I hope so.’ I sat back in the seat, closed my eyes, and thought of Francette. I knew that she was going to France, but she hadn’t told me what part of that large country she was being sent to.

  I thought to myself: Wouldn’t it be extraordinary if I ended up in the same part of France as she had gone to and we bumped into one another. It might create problems, but it would be nice.

  We arrived back at Witley Park at just after 2:00 am, but it was a Witley Park without the love of my life Francette. It was a very sad Markus that climbed into bed and eventually went asleep.

  Chapter 32

  The following morning I was called in to the Colonel’s office for my briefing on the next phase of my training. As usual, Colonel Thorpe and Major Richards were sitting at the round table when I entered.

  ‘Good morning Sirs,’ I said as I sat down in the spare chair facing them.

  ‘First things first Markus, you will be glad to hear that Francette arrived safely in France and also that the plane landed back in Somerset safe and sound,’ the Major said, giving me a big smile. He looked just as relieved as I felt.

  ‘We need to begin firming up a plan with you about your own mission and your proposed transfer to France,’ the Colonel went on. ‘As already discussed with you we believe that the best landing place for you is Cherbourg or on the Cherbourg peninsula somewhere and that you should approach the coast in a small sailing boat.’