“Iain, give me your handgun,” said Andy. “I’ll shoot out a tyre.” Hamilton said nothing but gave him a surprised look and put his hand inside his jacket and withdrew his handgun. Andy took it, weighed it in the palm of hand to feel the balance, and then wound down the window. He put his arm and head out of the window. Holding the gun in his left hand, he held the forearm with his right hand to steady it and took aim. Aiming at the nearside rear tyre, he squeezed the trigger. The bullet hit the rear of the car and before the driver could react Andy adjusted his aim and squeezed the trigger again. There was a puff on the tyre as it struck and suddenly the tyre went flat and started to shred. The Consul slewed slightly to the left and sparks started to fly up. Suddenly, there was a sheet of flame as petrol vapour ignited. The first bullet must have hit the fuel tank. The Consul screeched to a standstill on the side of the road and the two occupants evacuated as the tank blew up and the rear of the car was all flames.
Hamilton pulled up nearby. “Andy, keep the gun and go after him!” Andy nodded and quickly got out of the car. Vasiliy had jumped the ditch and over the fence and was heading across the field towards some woodland. Andy went after him. Hamilton put the car in gear and went after the Consul driver. He had run down the road. Vehicles were pulling up on either side of the road. Hamilton pulled alongside the Consul driver and forced him off the road. Pulling up, he pulled a second handgun from under the dashboard and got out of the car. Yelling to the man to stop, he warned he would shoot. The man stopped and put his hands up. Hamilton walked up and handcuffed him and led him back to the car.
Andy sprinted across the field after Vasiliy and was gradually catching up with him. Hearing the footsteps, Vasiliy turned and increased his efforts. Andy did the same. He shortened the gap even more. They were only a few yards from the woods when Andy yelled for him to stop or be shot. Vasiliy’s response was to draw a handgun and turn and fire. Andy saw the gun come up and went sideways in a roll. That gave Vasiliy time to reach the wood and go into it.
Back at the car, Iain Hamilton radioed in for help. Two minutes later the clanging of a police car bell was heard coming down the highway. It pulled up and Iain walked over and presented his identification to the policemen and asked them to deal with the traffic and call the fire brigade. The sound of a shot made everyone turn and look towards the wood. They were just in time to see Vasiliy disappearing into the wood with Andy not far behind him. Back to the car and the radio again. The enemy was armed and that made the whole situation more dangerous.
Andy entered the edge of the wood and took cover behind a tree and listened. He sensed the direction of movement of his opponent and angled away from his point of entry into the wood. The man, whoever he was, would want to exit as far away from the road as possible. The trees and vegetation were fairly dense but not bad enough to impede movement. The wood sloped up to the brow of a hill and then down the other side. This person, now a fugitive, would want to emerge on the other side below the brow of the hill. Andy decide to move toward the outer edge of the wood and circle to the other side, away from the road. If he figured correctly, the fugitive would emerge somewhere along that side. Andy guessed he would also move through the wood cautiously which meant Andy would have a chance of getting ahead even if it was further for him to go. Toward the outer edge, there was little undergrowth and Andy could move much more quickly and quietly. Vasiliy was doing as Andy had calculated, moving cautiously through the wood, pausing and listening for any sounds of pursuit and looking for his pursuer. To Vasiliy’s ears, the sound of pursuit faded but he remained cautious. He would need to get clear of the wood and well away and then find a place to hide until dark. They now knew he was armed and he was sure that there would be a manhunt. Getting back to the trawler would not be easy. He carried no documents but would easily pass for an Englishman. As he was reflecting on these things, Vasiliy came to the edge of the wood. He paused in its cover and surveyed the scene. A drystone wall formed the boundary of the wood on this side. About fifty metres to his left another drystone wall went off at right-angles down the hill and again about seventy-five metres to his right. It was late September and the fields were stubble. The harvests were in so there was no cover in that way. At the bottom of the slope was a hedge with a B class road on the other side. He decided to move to the left and would go down the other side of the wall since it was not overlooked by buildings. He moved to his left through the edge of the trees and planned to go over the wall where the other one joined it.
Andy was moving up through the trees about three metres from a stone wall that bounded the wood on the opposite side to where they had entered. There was no sign of a gate in the wall so he concluded that it must also be the boundary between two farms. That would mean the fugitive would have to climb over the wall if he had headed in this direction. He saw another wall going off at right-angles and slowed down. Andy decided it was now time to move cautiously and keep looking for the fugitive. He should be near if Andy had calculated correctly. As he slowly moved forward Andy saw a movement ahead. It was the man in grey overalls heading toward him. Andy took cover behind an old tree with a wide trunk. The man should climb over the wall on this side of the wall running off it if he wanted better cover. Looking cautiously round the trunk, he saw the man about twenty yards away, heading for the junction of the two walls. He kept still, counted to ten and eased the pistol out of his pocket. Andy decided that a disabling shot would be better than trying to rush him. He would aim for the ankle but he would have to give him a warning. This time Andy would have the cover. At the same time, Andy would like the opportunity to repay the kicks he had received. Andy cautiously peered round the trunk again and saw the fugitive was only three yards from him and with his back to him. Andy couldn’t resist the temptation to get his own back. He slid the pistol back into his pocket, stepped out and bounded forward.
Vasiliy heard a movement and turned to see his pursuer airborne in a flying drop kick. He started to move sideways but only managed to move his head out of the way. His shoulder and chest took the full force of the kick and he fell backwards and sideways, banging his head on the tree trunk as he fell. His attacker seemed to bounce off Vasiliy and fell expertly, his shoulders hitting the ground and the man’s arms used to bounce himself back on his feet. Vasiliy rolled sideways and came back on his feet but his opponent had already advanced in anticipation and landed a sideways single-foot kick on his chest. Vasiliy fell back down again but, like his opponent, fell expertly on his shoulders and bounced back onto his feet. As he came up, he punched with a stiff-arm motion at his opponent’s chest. His opponent stepped sideways, grabbed the arm and pulled. Vasiliy came forward, partly on his own impetus, and was met with a head-butt between his eyes that made him groggy. The attacker released his arm and Vasiliy staggered back. A blow to the solar plexus made him double up and then the attacker was behind him. Thumbs were placed into the sides of Vasiliy’s neck in a ‘ko-chen’ move. Vasiliy struggled to grab the arms and pull them away but he grew weaker as he lost consciousness and he failed to break the grip. He blacked out.
Andy quickly took his tie off and tied the man’s hands behind his back. He undid the overall buttons and saw the man wore a belt to hold his trousers up, unfastened it and used it to tie the ankles. He then searched the man’s pockets, found the gun and took the clip of bullets out and put both in his own pockets. As he completed this Andy heard the sound of footsteps and look round to see Iain Hamilton coming up through the trees. He called out to him, “Iain, this way!” Hamilton trotted down to him with relief on his face. “He isn’t dead. He should come round soon. I used enough pressure to stop him, remembering what you said,” commented Andy.
Hamilton replied, “Well done, Andy. After that first shot, I was concerned. It’s all under control down on the A1. We should also get some reinforcements pretty soon.” Pulling Andy away from the prisoner, Hamilton said, “I’m going to speak Russian in that man’s hearing and I want you to watch carefully for
any reaction, okay?”
Andy nodded. “That’s fine. I think he is but it won’t be easy to prove unless you can trick him.” Hamilton nodded and pointed to the prisoner who was stirring. Andy went over and untied his feet. They would want to walk him back down to the road. There was a rustling sound over the wall and they saw armed RAF Regiment personnel moving along the edge of the wood.
Iain Hamilton called out to them, “Over here. We’ve captured the fugitive!” A sergeant and two airmen clambered over the wall and walked towards them. One of the airmen had a ‘walkie-talkie’ pack and the sergeant told him to radio in the news and location. By now Vasiliy was fully conscious and looking around him but saying nothing. He realised that there was little chance of escape at this point in time. As he sat there, he had a good look at Andy and revised the estimate of him that he had formed in the cafe car park. Vasiliy wouldn’t forget him in a hurry. “Let’s take him down to the road,” said Hamilton. Andy and one of the airmen lifted Vasiliy to his feet and they started back through the wood in the direction of the A1.
At Wensley Electronics, Sam Wilson had been called to the personnel office where two Special Branch officers arrested him for sabotage and industrial espionage. He went white as the charges were read out to him. There would be no bail. As a married man with a family, the enormity of what he had been involved in began to dawn on him. Wilson was handcuffed and led away. A similar scene was taking place at Argonaut Industries in Manchester. The two security officers had been called to the personnel office and were confronted by two Special Branch officers and arrested on charges of conspiracy to assist an enemy of the state and to aid an attempted murder. One of them started to bluster his innocence but was quickly silenced by the evidence that had been gathered. They were led away one at a time and each put in a car and driven off. A mile away a team of Special Branch officers arrived with search and arrest warrants at the cleaning company that was contracted to Argonaut Industries. They went in and arrested the owner and started a methodical search of the premises and seized records and the telex machine. Other arrests would follow as cleaning staff reported for work. In Rothbury Terrace a similar action took place. Special Branch officers arrived with search and arrest warrants. The object of their attention answered the door and was immediately arrested. After a search, they took away files and other papers as well as the prisoner.
The Brennan Transport No.5 turned up at Wensley Electronics just as the lunchtime hooter was sounding. It was accompanied by the RAF Regiment Landrover. The gatekeeper telephoned Flying Officer Goodhew’s office to let him know the arrival of equipment plus more RAF personnel. He hurried out to the gate and was met by the RAF regiment flight lieutenant. Goodhew saluted, had one in return, and then they shook hands and completed introductions. He was told that they had the correct klystron unit in the Landrover. It and the dummy klystron were delivered to the secure store. Goodhew had the crates opened to check the contents and see that they were correct. They were then sealed up again and locked in the secure area. The managing director of Wensley Electronics appeared and was briefed on the situation. He said that they would make sure there were no further problems. Later that day he would talk to all the employees and explain what had happened and that Britain’s security was nearly compromised. Later that day and after the meeting, the men were not happy at the news and the factory delegate promised that there would be no more problems if it meant the future security of the country.
The RAF Regiment team returned to their base and after the paperwork had been signed, the Brennan Transport No. 5 also headed back to their depot to report in and be de-briefed.
Hamilton and Andy and the rest of their group cleared the wood and headed toward the road. Hamilton gave Andy a look and walked a little ahead. He made an exclamation in Russian and cursed the interest in what was going on. There appeared to be at least one newspaper team there. Andy watched Vasiliy and saw the start in his eyes and a slight stiffening of his shoulders before he relaxed again. Iain had been right. As they walked across the field, other armed RAF Regiment airmen were also walking back to the road where their three-tonner was parked. They reached the road and climbed through the fence. As Hamilton went over to speak to the police inspector, a news photographer took a photo of Andy and the prisoner. A flat-top with a winch was winching the burnt-out wreck of a Consul onto its deck. All the reporter could get was a ‘no comment’ on what was happening. Hamilton told him that a statement would be given to him later and gave him a telephone number to call in an hour’s time. Hamilton then conferred with the RAF officer. He thanked them for their help and said that they would take Vasiliy with them. Vasiliy was put in the back of the car and Andy joined him. The driver of the Ford Consul was put in the front passenger seat and handcuffed to the door.
In the car, Hamilton radioed in a verbal report and was given an update on the other arrests. It was arranged that they would drive to RAF Middleton St. George where an aircraft would fly in and take both Hamilton and the prisoners to London. Andy was to drive the car back to Newcastle where it would be picked up by a local operative. Hamilton drove towards Darlington and turned off the A1 at Blackwell, driving east towards Middleton St. George village. From there he cut across to Oak Tree and on to the RAF base. Pulling up at the gates of the base, Hamilton reported in to the guard room. The corporal said that he was expected and a Flight Lieutenant came out of an office at the conversation. “I’m Flight Lieutenant Carwell, in charge of Security here. The CO received a call from Air Ministry. We are to help you all we can until your aircraft arrives. It is expected in about ninety minutes.” Hamilton gave his thanks and asked if his prisoners could be put in separate cells and given a meal.
“He is very dangerous,” said Hamilton pointing to Vasiliy, “so you need to have two men watching him. I’d like an escort to the aircraft when we are due to board. Now, can my young assistant and I get a late lunch somewhere, please?”
“Certainly,” Carwell replied, “I should be able to arrange something at the Officers’ Mess for you.”
“That would be good,” replied Hamilton. He went out to the car, accompanied by two RAF policemen. They got Vasiliy and the Consul driver out of the car and took them into the guardroom and put them in separate cells.
Carwell gave them instructions about the prisoners. “Also, call the cookhouse and arrange for some sandwiches for the prisoners to be brought over. Make them some warm tea, not hot. We don’t want any unwanted opportunities given to the prisoners.” Turning to Hamilton, he said, “I’ll come with you in your car to show you the way to the mess and also sign you both in as visitors.”
“Thank you. Let’s go. It seems to be all under control here.” They went out to the car. Hamilton nodded to Andy to drive the car and he got into the rear while Carwell got into the front to show the way. As they drove off, Hamilton said, “This is my assistant, Andrew Hill. Andrew, Flight Lieutenant Carwell.” Both men looked at each other and nodded a greeting.
At the Officers’ Mess, a steward met them at the entrance and Carwell signed both of the visitors in. “You might as well go and freshen up while we arrange a late lunch,” he said, pointing in the direction of the toilets. “Come into the dining room afterwards. I’ll leave you and head back to make sure all is well. Come back there when you are ready.”
“You have been very helpful. Thank you very much,” was Hamilton’s reply. He and Andy headed off to the toilets to freshen up. Once in the room, Hamilton checked to make sure that there were no other persons in there. “Andy, at the moment you are with MI5. Understood? Let me have my handgun back before we go out of here.”
Andy grinned. “Understood. That handgun has nice balance. Pity I have to give it back to you.” They both laughed.
It was 14.05 hours and the aircraft for Hamilton and his prisoners taxied to the apron near 92 Squadron hangar. An AVGAS refueller drove up and readied to refuel the aircraft.
Outside the guardhouse, Iain Hamilton was speaking wit
h Andy. “Take the car back to its usual parking spot. Louden will arrange for it to be picked up. He’ll contact you for the keys. You had better go to Ouston first and then you can get back into uniform and also arrange for a pick-up from the hotel. Thanks for a good job done. It was good to have you on the team today. Hopefully, we’ll meet again soon.”
“Thanks for the opportunity,” replied Andy. “It was good to work with you.” They shook hands and Andy climbed into the car and drove out to go back to Newcastle. He chuckled to himself at the thought of a corporal having lunch in the Officers’ Mess. Obviously, Iain Hamilton was prepared to bend the rules for the occasion. That was a good sign. A call came to the guardhouse that the aircraft was ready for flight. Hamilton, the prisoners and an escort drove out to the aircraft. Two of Hamilton’s colleagues were there to act as escort on the flight. Hamilton thanked the RAF policemen for their help and then boarded the aircraft with his prisoners. As they were taxying out, a USAF B-47 bomber came in to land, reminding Hamilton that the Cold War could get quite warm at times. Soon they were airborne and heading south.
Back at the North Shields Fish Quay, Captain Petrovsky was getting a little anxious. The van should have arrived back by now and there was no sign of it. Twenty minutes went by and he was getting concerned. He should be getting underway. Another ten minutes and he would contact the consulate. Going up to the bridge he noticed a sleek grey shape coming in through the piers into the Tyne. It was a Royal Navy patrol boat. Well, he had nothing to worry about. He was here quite legitimately. The Englishman who had come on board and taken Vasiliy’s place was also getting anxious. At almost 15.00 hours, a radio call came in from Major Garasov asking for news. Petrovsky said that there was none. At that moment, the ships chandler’s van drove into the docks and headed toward the Russian trawler. The driver got out and headed up the gangplank. Petrovsky went down to meet him. The driver, who also owned the business, said that there was no sign of the van or of anyone connected with this scheme. He feared something had gone wrong and he wanted his man back off the trawler. Reluctantly, Petrovsky agreed and the man left with the driver and they drove off. Back on the bridge he could see someone on the bridge of the Royal Navy vessel with binoculars focussed on his vessel. Why should a Russian vessel have so much scrutiny? He smiled to himself, knowing the real answer. A few minutes later, Petrovsky’s radio man came up to the bridge with an answer from Moscow. He was to wait for another hour. Since he already had clearance from the port authorities for departure, if there was no news he was to put to sea and go beyond the three-mile limit and standoff fifteen kilometres out. He thanked his radio man and called to his first officer and told him to prepare the ship for departure in an hour. As he completed that, he noticed that the Royal Navy patrol boat was turning and nosing up to some moorings on the South Shields side of the river, just opposite his trawler. On coastal patrol, its skipper had received instructions to divert to the River Tyne and maintain observation on the Russian trawler, Ivor Noventsky, currently moored at North Shields
Red Hawk Rising Page 12
