Of Knights and Dogfights by Ellie Midwood

Author:Ellie Midwood
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ellie Midwood

Libya-Germany, Spring 1942

* * *

Johann let go of Willi’s hand with visible reluctance. To think of it, as soon as one arrived, the second one was given leave at the request of the Propaganda Ministry and who knew if they’d see each other again. The situation on the African Front wasn’t something for the Luftwaffe to be proud of and that’s putting it mildly. Johann hated leaving his Staffel in such dire times but it appeared that Minister Goebbels thought that Johann was more useful to him in front of cameras and in classrooms, brushed, immaculately dressed, and decorated like a Christmas tree. The Staffel, according to Minister Goebbels, would do just fine without him for a few weeks.

“Congratulations on your appointment as the new Staffel leader.” Johann regarded Willi warmly. The hospital food and care had agreed with him; he’d put at least some meat on his bones even though Willi still weighed hardly more than sixty kilograms, judging by the looks of it.

Willi rolled his eyes emphatically. “Stop rubbing it in. Technically, it was you who got appointed; I’m merely your substitute while you’re away.”

After Staffelkapitän Leitner got promoted to the position of a Gruppenkommandeur for I/JG-27, he didn’t hesitate a second before delegating the Staffel to the newly promoted Oberleutnant Brandt. Johann was a natural born leader who led by his example and not by loud words and authority. Every single pilot – the oldest of aces and the youngest of rookies straight out of the flying school – gravitated towards his calm yet confident demeanor. Johann was loved and respected and Leitner couldn’t find a better man for the position.

“Well, make sure I have someone to report to when I get back from Germany.”

“I haven’t forgotten how to fly while on leave, you know.”

“Are you sure?”

“All right, I think it’s time for you to go.” Willi opened the door to the military truck and nearly shoved Johann inside, making the driver break into chuckles. “Here’s your suitcase, Herr Celebrity. Enjoy your vacation while I’ll be busy putting new marks on my rudder.”

“Do not go near my fighter! Only Riedman is allowed to fly it while I’m away!”

“And that’s another thing; what did I ever do to you to cause such mistrust?” Willi inquired, still standing on the truck’s high step.

“You crashed more of our fighters than you downed enemy ones?”

“All right, that does it.” Willi slammed the door shut with theatrical anger and slapped the truck’s bonnet twice, motioning for the driver to go. “Get him away from here. Leave him stranded in the desert if you wish. I won’t miss him.”

Laughing, Johann stuck his head out of the window and waved to his best friend, who replied with the same.

“Please, be careful!”

With a comically solemn look about him, Willi put his hand to his forehead. Jawohl, Herr Oberleutnant.

Johann turned to face the interminably long road in front of them, missing their banter already.

He was to report to the Wehrmacht office in Berlin and receive his further orders there.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.