Red Hawk Rising

by Peter William Hall

  He found himself saying, “Love you, too. ‘Night.” Then he hung up the ‘phone and exited the telephone box. He nodded to the waiting person and headed off down the road to West Sanby at a brisk walk.

  Thirty minutes later, Andy was pushing open the door to the bar. A game of darts was in progress at one end. There appeared to be three or four airmen from the base, identified by their haircuts and their manner, and the rest may have been locals. Andy nudged up to the bar and asked for a pint of mild. “It’s Hewitts,” the barman said. Andy nodded and the man pulled a pint of dark beer and put it on the bar. Andy looked at it as it settled and noticed sediment floating in it.

  Pointing to it, he asked the barman, “Is it normal to have these bits floating in the beer?”

  “It is,” said the barman. “It’s our local brewery in Grimsby. Not one of your fancy city beers.”

  Andy was tempted to comment on the ‘grim’ but thought better of it and said, “Fine. I’m new here so I’d better get used to it.”

  “You up at the RAF base, then?” queried the barman.

  “Yes,” said Andy. “Just arrived. What made you think I’m RAF?”

  The barman smirked and nodded toward the men Andy had picked out as airmen. “You’re just like them, and they’re from the base.”

  “Oh!” said Andy. “You’re pretty observant. I guess you notice everyone that’s a stranger or not a local.”

  “Too right, I do,” was the response. “It’s part of my job. We run a peaceful pub and we watch out for potential troublemakers.”

  “I’d better remember to behave myself then,” said Andy. The barman nodded his agreement and went down the bar to serve another customer.

  Sitting at the bar and sipping the beer, Andy wondered whether he would ever get used to it. He was sizing up the different customers when a man came through the door behind the bar with a crate of bottled beer and gave Andy a nod as he went past to stack the bottles on the shelf. Andy hoped his face didn’t register the surprise that he felt at recognising the person. The last time he saw him he was a corporal in the RAF Mountain Rescue Unit based at RAF Leuchars. He was also a member of the mountaineering club based in Lutterworth and an operative like himself. As he recalled, his name was James Rogerson, nick-named ‘Wilco’. Watching him, it was obvious that he was working as a cellarman in the pub and, with his build, most likely dealt with any unruly types. It wasprobably a temporary job.

  The cellarman saw Andy watching him and asked, “Is there something you want?”

  “Yes,” said Andy, “I’d like some potato crisps.”

  “Ask the barman,” was the response. Andy replied with a “Wilco,” and watched for a response. “Fine,” said the cellarman as he walked back and through the doorway behind the bar. It was clear to Andy that he knew he had been recognised and that he also recognised Andy. Now Andy would have to wait and see what developed. The airmen of the Mountain Rescue Unit weren’t as rigid in discipline as most of the RAF. They usually grew their hair longer and were flexible in what they wore with their uniform. As such, it was hard to pick them as servicemen when they were in civilian dress. They would be good undercover operatives because of that.

  The locals on the dartboard finished and moved off and the three airmen went over to it to play. Andy decided that it would be a good move to join them so he went across and asked if he could make up a fourth if they played in pairs. They looked him up and down and asked, “Just posted in?” Andy nodded, introduced himself and explained that he was on the JSTU. The airmen said that they were on the squadron and introduced themselves. They decided to play ‘500’ with a double to start and finish. Andy borrowed a set of darts from the bar. They weren’t real good but they would do. While they played, Andy asked questions about the base and the area. He learned that the airmen sometimes went to the pub at Parfleet St Peter by walking along the sea wall. It was a small fishing village and they would play darts or dominoes with the local fishermen. The alternative was to go to Louth for an evening out. There was a bus service between Louth and Grimsby via the villages. Some of the services went to the RAF base. There would be one going to the base from the village at 10.30 p.m. The publican usually allowed them to stay at the pub until the bus was due but wouldn’t serve any drinks after 10.00 p.m. “That’s handy,” said Andy. The others agreed. The game progressed and Andy and his partner lost the game. During the second game, Andy got his eye in and managed to get two treble twenties to get them ahead in the game. He learned more about the base during the conversation and about some of the officers. It was all information that he may have use for. The RAF Police were responsible for all the security on the base, including the dog-handling section. The game ended and Andy excused himself to go to the toilet which was out the back of the pub. As he walked out of the back door, the light shone on his face and a voice said, “I thought there were no hills around here but it seems there are.”

  “A hill gives you a good view of what is around,” said Andy, as he turned to the direction of the voice.

  “It’s okay, we are the only ones out here at present,” came the response. “I was waiting for you to come out,” said Jamie Rogerson.

  “What’s the score?” asked Andy.

  “I’m technically on leave for a month. I received instructions to provide outside support for the operation, with you on the inside. There are also transmissions to Moscow from this region and I have to check it out,” said Rogerson. “They seem to be from off-shore according to the triangulations. Parfleet St Peter is a fishing village near here so it’s a possibility. Otherwise it may be a vessel out of Grimsby.”

  “So let’s look at the smaller place first,” said Andy.

  “I am,” said Rogerson. “I’ve already been over and had a look at the place.” Someone came out of the doorway to go to the toilet and Rogerson ducked back into the pub. Andy decided he’d better do what he said he’d come out to do. Placing Rogerson in West Sanby was a good move. No doubt he would receive information about it from Lutterworth in the mail tomorrow. Andy joined the other airmen on the bus back to base. There was a lot he had to reflect on. Tomorrow would be a busy day

  ***

  It was Monday morning (3rd) and Corporal Hill reported in to his Section Commander in the temporary unit office. Flight Lieutenant Gaskin said, “Sit down, Corporal. I’ll want a full report from you later on your visits to the contractors but right now we have to prepare for the radar section’s arrival later today. Their toolboxes and test equipment have already been delivered and are stored in our hangar on the northern boundary. The radar will be delivered tomorrow morning. A site caravan and mobile generator should also arrive tomorrow. They will be located on the north-east corner of the airfield. Other sections will arrive progressively. Headquarters will be the last to arrive. The headquarters building should be complete in a week’s time. Since you are preparing the trials analysis recording system, you can check off and record incoming equipment until we get a supply person posted in. A couple of progress clerks should be arriving in the next week and then you can delegate some of the work to them. Lastly, the adjutant wants you to be the JNCO responsible for the Domestic Quarters until HQ staff arrive. You can get the list of arrivals from the desk outside and I leave you to allocate the billets. Each of the men can draw their own bedding. Liaise with base stores. See me at 14.00 hours to discuss your factory visits. Have you any questions?”

  “Yes sir. Has the visible-edge card system arrived yet? It will be easier if I can record directly onto it” asked Corporal Hill.

  “I believe it has but it is still packed and it should be stored in our hangar,” was the reply.

  “Thank you, sir. Is that all?” Corporal Hill received a nod in reply. He stood up, came to attention and then left the office. Outside, Andy talked to the SAC clerk and got the information he wanted. He also found a spare desk in an adjacent office and settled down to work out his priorities. Those travelling by road were likely to arrive about
12.00 hours so the domestic site was first priority. The rest were due in about 13.30 hours by RAF bus from Grimsby railway station. After that he could get into his own work.

  It was 09.00 hours that same morning and Group Captain. Clarkson convened the meeting that he had called to review progress on the Red Hawk system. Present were Squadron Leader Dawson, Hamilton of MI5 and Griffiths from the supply section. This time an additional person made up the group. He was a senior scientist from RAE Farnborough, and his name was Gordon Denton. He was already known to the rest of those present and didn’t need introductions. He would be treated as having equal rank to Squadron Leader Dawson. Griffiths reported officially on behalf of the contractors since his section at Air Ministry placed the contracts, but Squadron Leader Dawson had up-to-date information from his sections attached to each of the contractors. The group captain took them through the status of the equipment and when delivery would be made of each part to RAF West Sanby. The tractor was ready for delivery, as was the launcher. The missile control system would be ready by the end of the week. Dawson reported that they would be moving unit HQ from Low Fenton to RAF West Sanby during the following week. He was asked when the system could be ready for trials. Dawson scribbled some figures on the pad and suggested in three weeks’ time, if they really pushed it. Clarkson looked at Griffiths and Denton with, “Any comments to add to that?” They shook their heads. “Fine,” said Clarkson, “then we’ll set the start of trials for 20th October. We’ll expect all the back-up spare parts to have been delivered by then and the ECM modified Shackleton will be booked for that week. Any questions?” There were no questions. Clarkson then turned to Hamilton. “What is there to report on the security side with the contractors?”

  Hamilton replied, “Argonaut and Wensley Electronics are now clean. I’ll be going up to Davis Aviation this afternoon and, all being well, will be at Jennings Engineering on Thursday. The checks should be finished by the end of this week.”

  “Good,” replied Clarkson, “then we can expect all components of the system to be on site by a week tomorrow. That will be the 11th October. Mr Griffiths, I’m thinking of having a liaison person in your section for a week or so to co-ordinate components and spare parts supply for the Red Hawk system.”

  Griffiths looked startled. “That’s most unusual. We haven’t done it before.”

  “No,” replied Clarkson. “I realise that but we are behind schedule and there is some urgency on this programme. Someone from the unit who is familiar with RAF procedures and the system can help to speed things up. Give it some thought and we’ll talk again.” Griffiths nodded his agreement but looked quite unhappy. “Anything else, gentlemen?” asked Clarkson. There were ‘noes’ in reply. “Fine. Let’s meet at the same time next week. Good morning.” And the meeting was closed. Gordon Denton and Squadron Leader Dawson went into a huddle to discuss arrangements. Griffiths left quickly and Clarkson caught Hamilton’s eye and they walked to the other end of the conference room. He asked, “Have you time to have coffee with me before you drive up to Luton? We need to discuss a couple of things.”

  “If we can do it now then I’m okay,” replied Hamilton.

  “Okay, let’s walk down the street now.” They both left the conference room and took the stairs down to the ground floor. The duty airman came to attention and saluted as they exited the building. Clarkson returned the salute and they walked out onto the street. “How’s MI5’s investigation going with the leak here in London?” he asked Hamilton.

  “Nothing certain but it appears to be in the supply section of Air Ministry,” replied Hamilton. “AVM Denby has suggested that you help MI5 flush the person out.”

  Then he asked, “Is it worth co-operating on that? I’d like it concluded before trials begin.”

  Hamilton came back with a cautious, “What did you have in mind?”

  “Two things,” said Clarkson. “I want MI5 to watch for any traffic referring to the 20th October, particularly any going to our ‘friends’ in Moscow and see if it can be sourced. The second is that I floated the idea of putting a liaison into Griffiths’ section to see the reaction. He wasn’t happy. Would it compromise MI5 activities if we pushed to have someone in there?”

  Hamilton was silent for a few moments. Thoughtfully, he said, “If it is a joint operation it should be okay but it’s not for me to decide. You would have to go higher up.”

  “I understand,” said Clarkson. “AVM Denby can do that. It may be easier for us to get someone in there quickly who is in the RAF and linked to the project. You could find it would take longer for you to get someone in there without a good reason.”

  “You may be right,” said Hamilton. “If you want to go down that path then would you consider using young Corporal Hill from the JSTU? He was good at identifying things at Argonaut and also Wensley Electronics.”

  Clarkson thought, “He’s fishing,” but replied, “I’d need to talk to Squadron Leader Dawson and get his views. Let’s talk again before you go up to Coventry.” Hamilton nodded his agreement as they turned into a small restaurant for morning coffee.

  Major Garasov had the news about the arrest of George Pattison and realised that he would not get the photographs he wanted. On the positive side, he had confirmation of heightened construction activity at RAF West Sanby and news of components of the SAM system to be moved there in the near future. It was time to put another plan into action that would give them knowledge of the tractor. He called in his assistant and gave him instructions to proceed with the preparations for the Coventry operation. That evening, a carpenter in Coventry took his telephonist girlfriend out for dinner and discreetly asked what she knew about that unusual vehicle he had seen being tested in the yard of Jennings Engineering where she worked. Innocently, she told him it was to leave the factory on Wednesday to be delivered to the RAF. The next morning he passed the information on to a contact who then passed it to Major Garasov.

  Corporal Hill had organised the allocation of billets and warned the base stores of the expected demand on bedding. The catering officer had also been notified of impending arrivals. He noted that the small team on the transporter/loader were due to arrive from Jennings on the morrow and the detachment at Davis Aviation were due the following Monday. Andy arranged for the SAC clerk to draw up site plans to be run off on the Gestetner and typed up the allocation of billets onto the waxed master for the Gestetner. The pink correction fluid smelled like women’s nail polish and Andy wrinkled his nose at each use of it. With the domestic matters dealt with Andy turned his attention to preparing a report for Flight Lieutenant Gaskin. After that he would set up the recording system and start an inventory of equipment and spares. It was about 11.45 hours and he heard familiar voices in the orderly room. Andy left his desk and went out and greeted Lance and Dan. ‘Sarge’ followed them in. Andy gave ‘Sarge’ a map of the base and showed him where the sergeants’ mess was. He then gave the corporals a plan of the domestic site and a list of billets. He had put them in bunk rooms next to his. Andy said he’d go over in ten minutes and see them over there before they all went to the mess for lunch. As they left, the SAC clerk said that there was mail for Andy. It had come in a little earlier and he had just finished sorting it. There were two letters for him. One was from Alice. She must have posted it on the Friday without him knowing. The other was a typed address with a Lutterworth postmark. He put them both in his pocket to read when he went over to his room. He finished off his report and then headed for the barrack block. Shutting the door of his room he slit open the letters. Alice’s gave off a whiff of perfume but he read the Lutterworth one first. It confirmed what Corporal Rogerson had told him. Rogerson was to provide Andy with support but also he would be looking for the source of the radio messages to Moscow. It had been picked up because it was a radio frequency not used by shipping and was known to be used by the USSR. Andy was to observe security on the base and also any activity of people observing the base. Andy put the letter away and took Alice’s
out of the envelope. She had written it on the Thursday evening after he and Lance had returned to the base. Alice had written of how happy he had made her and how much she was drawn to him but she added words of caution about her feelings. Clearly, Alice had some sound common sense and that pleased him. Apparently Alice had given the letter to her sister to post in Hexham on the Friday. There was a banging on his door and Lance asking if he was in there. Andy yelled for him to enter and put the letters away. They called out to Dan and the three of them headed for the mess for lunch.

  After the lunch break the new arrivals organised their bedding from the base store and settled in. At 14.00 hours Corporal Andy Hill reported to Flight Lieutenant Gaskin with his report. Gaskin read it with interest. Andy had focused on the technical aspects of his visits and not the security issues. Gaskin asked him why those aspects were not in the report. “I was at that factory to get information for our trials analysis recording, sir,” he replied to Gaskin’s query. “The other incidents were reported through other channels and I didn’t see the need to report on them again.”

  Gaskin responded by saying, “I’m the officer you report to and I want to know what is happening with the men in my section so I expect more than a technical report in future. The CO has received complimentary reports about your work and your actions beyond the technical side. And, of course, I have been told, but I want to hear it from my men themselves.”

  Andy felt distinctly uncomfortable at that statement. It wasn’t his style. He nodded in reply and said, “Yes sir, I understand.”

  Gaskin went on, “I’ve received information that the team at Jennings Engineering will be arriving here tomorrow and the MLTwill be arriving Wednesday afternoon so you won’t need to go down to Coventry. I may send you down to Luton on Thursday. You should be able to get all the information on the launcher in one day. Okay, that will be all.” Andy got up, came to attention and then left Gaskin’s office. He decided to locate the recording equipment and get it unpacked and start setting it up. Andy headed for the security gate into the airfield area and noticed that they checked his F.1250 (ID card) and a list they had of JSTU personnel before they would let him in. That was good. It was a brisk walk round to the hangar allocated to them on the north side of the airfield. He passed the airfield rescue with the fire engine and ambulance parked outside, then the control tower. Andy noticed someone looking down at him with interest. The person wasn’t wearing his tunic so Andy couldn’t see his rank but he appeared to be in his thirties age-wise. He waved to the person who then turned away. Passing the construction site for the unit headquarters, Andy paused to have a look at progress. It was a prefabricated building that was being erected. Trenches from their hangar to the building site showed that the services were in the process of being connected. Tradesmen were busy inside the building. He walked on. At the unit hangar, Andy found Sarge and his team busy checking their toolboxes and the equipment ready for the arrival of the radar unit in the morning. Test equipment was being set up inside one of the rooms in the hangar. Andy saw a door marked ‘Admin. Store’ and headed for it. Inside the room he located the equipment he was looking for and the associated visible edge cards. He took a pack and went back into the hangar. This was where all the maintenance and servicing would be done. Andy headed out of the hangar and a flash from the seaward side caught his attention. As he turned his head he saw it again. It was the sun glinting on something shiny, like glass, in the vicinity of the sea wall. Someone was obviously interested in the activities on the base. Whether it was innocent interest or otherwise he wouldn’t know. By the time someone got to the sea wall the person would be gone. He would report it and also tell Rogerson. They would have to watch out for a repeat and try to catch the person. The flash was also seen by personnel in the control tower and binoculars trained on the spot but whoever it was had slid out of site. The incident was recorded in the log.