Blackronin
06-01-2014, 10:06
September 3, 1939
Joaquim arrived late August at my doorstep. I was surprised. "What are you doing here, my friend?" "Trying to enter the Soviet Union", he said with a tired voice. I nodded. "But now that's unimportant. You must get me to fly with you Polish", he continued in a harsh voice. I was surprised again. "Why?" I gave him a drink. "Don't you understand, Andrzej?! They're coming." "The German?" He laughed. "Yes. And your generals that are boasting their certain victory don't really understand what they're embarking into. You know, Andy. You've been there with me." He was talking directly into my fears. I knew he was right and I knew we would need a pilot like him.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc502.jpg
The Germans invaded the first of September. By the second we already knew that they were superior in almost everything. We've retreated to secondary lines of defence and our planes survived the initial onslaught because we had hidden them in secret airfields. But the German planes were better armed, faster and their pilots eager to fight. Joaquim wasn't able to convince our squadron commander of the right tactics to use. "I have orders, Andrzej! Use this Spanish tactics with your section and we will see how it works." And so we formed a plan. Four PZL's P11 against the Luftwaffe. "Can I paint the nose of my PZL P11 red?" Asked me Joaquim.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc503.jpg
I had been able to sneak Joaquim into our squadron as a Spanish Republican with a lot of knowledge about air combat. "From a Portuguese fighting in Spain to a Spanish fighting in Poland! That will do...", he said laughing. I presented him to my two man. Jósef Sławiński and Krzysztof Tarka. Jósef immediately became friends with Joaquim, but Krzysztof shown a distance at first. That would all change in the skies I was sure. "We're slower than them", said Joaquim, "so we must go where they're needed. That's the only way to force them to fight with us. And that's where there are infantry combats." So we decided to hunt between zones of ground combat and German controlled territory. We didn't have to wait long.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc501.jpg
"We fight in pairs as one to compensate our inferior firepower", said Joaquim and I added. "Jósef will be my wingman and Krzysztof will be Joaquim's. Follow us like if you were our shadows." And they nodded. And we were back here as in Spain. Again facing the enemies of freedom. Two Stukas and two Me-109. "Attack the Stukas, we'll protect you", crackled Joaquim's voice in my ears. We were both lucky. We were the few one's who had radio in our PZL's. And four machine guns. The majority of our fighters had only two guns and no radio.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc504.jpg
I've signaled Jósef with a hand signal as the Me-109's speed up to meet us.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc505.jpg
And then it all started. Seagulls against hawks.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc506.jpg
The German split their fire. The leader fired against Jósef and his wingman fired accurately against Joaquim's plane raking him with cannon shells.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc507.jpg
We fired back at them. Our machine guns seeming puny, our knees locking the stick while we fired both sets of machine guns at the same time with both hands. Little damage was made and a sensation of despair shadowed my Polish optimism.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc508.jpg
My flight faced the Stukas then and the German fighters went for an Immelman. But they made it too soon.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc509.jpg
In the frontal passage we were shot by the fixed machine guns of the Stukas.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc510.jpg
And we've fired back at them. But little damage was made.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc511.jpg
Then we've passed them and were at the mercy of their gunners. But Joaquim turned hard left and he position himself in an excellent spot. It was time to make use of his excellent firing skills. He was already an ace with five confirmed kills in the skies of Spain.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc512.jpg
Both Stuka's gunners fired at Jósef hitting him hard.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc513.jpg
Then Joaquim and Krzysztof fired their guns! Joaquim hit the cockpit of the leading Stuka and a small explosion flashed in the engine of the German leader's fighter. Young Krzysztof had made his first kill.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc514.jpg
"That's a Polish fighter pilot", I said to Joaquim, like a proud father through the radio. "You are talking about my wingman, my friend", said Joaquim laughing. A parachute opened - white against blue skies.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc515.jpg
And suddenly things were looking better. Even if in the ground the Germans kept pounding our positions. The Stukas kept their mission flight and the remaining German fighter speed up to get into a better position. "Let's concentrate on the Stukas", I told Joaquim.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc516.jpg
The gunners changed their target and fired at the already damaged Joaquim's fighter.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc517.jpg
Joaquim and Krzysztof fired back at the leading Stuka.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc519.jpg
We've moved in to concentrate our fire against the Stukas that by now had understood that their mission became impossible, dropped their bombs and tried to retreat. I almost screamed with contentment.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc518.jpg
The Stuka gunners fired again against Joaquim and his plane was hanging by a shred.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc520.jpg
Then they fired back and they made some impressive damage to the Stukas.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc521.jpg
And from afar, both we and Jósef fired against the Stuka at the rear of the formation.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc522.jpg
We've regrouped while the Stukas turned hard left. The German fighter was a distant point turning also left.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc523.jpg
The German gunners kept firing courageously.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc524.jpg
Krzysztof fired at the leading Stuka with precision hitting its tail squarely.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc525.jpg
The rest of us fired at the other Stuka. Joaquim hit its Cockpit again. I destroyed its tail...
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc526.jpg
... sending him spiralling down. "Your fourth kill, my friend!" Said Joaquim through the radio. He hadn't forgot my three kills in Spain. That was sweet. One more parachute opened up. A pilot or a gunner died a few moments later.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc527.jpg
"Let's get this one before we have to deal with the fighter!" I shouted.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc528.jpg
The German gunner continued to fire against Krzysztof. But I knew his fate was already sealed.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc529.jpg
We all fired against the Stuka. A fire erupted from it's engine.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc530.jpg
We kept pouring lead against it. But it was already down. "This one's belongs to Jósef", said Joaquim and I knew why he gave up it's share of the killing.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc531.jpg
We watch the Stuka falling down, burning. Nobody jumped from it.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc532.jpg
As one we all turned to face the last enemy plane. But the German fighter decided that retreating was the best part of valour and we didn't have the speed to catch up with him. We made our way back to the airfield. There was still hope for Poland.
Joaquim arrived late August at my doorstep. I was surprised. "What are you doing here, my friend?" "Trying to enter the Soviet Union", he said with a tired voice. I nodded. "But now that's unimportant. You must get me to fly with you Polish", he continued in a harsh voice. I was surprised again. "Why?" I gave him a drink. "Don't you understand, Andrzej?! They're coming." "The German?" He laughed. "Yes. And your generals that are boasting their certain victory don't really understand what they're embarking into. You know, Andy. You've been there with me." He was talking directly into my fears. I knew he was right and I knew we would need a pilot like him.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc502.jpg
The Germans invaded the first of September. By the second we already knew that they were superior in almost everything. We've retreated to secondary lines of defence and our planes survived the initial onslaught because we had hidden them in secret airfields. But the German planes were better armed, faster and their pilots eager to fight. Joaquim wasn't able to convince our squadron commander of the right tactics to use. "I have orders, Andrzej! Use this Spanish tactics with your section and we will see how it works." And so we formed a plan. Four PZL's P11 against the Luftwaffe. "Can I paint the nose of my PZL P11 red?" Asked me Joaquim.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc503.jpg
I had been able to sneak Joaquim into our squadron as a Spanish Republican with a lot of knowledge about air combat. "From a Portuguese fighting in Spain to a Spanish fighting in Poland! That will do...", he said laughing. I presented him to my two man. Jósef Sławiński and Krzysztof Tarka. Jósef immediately became friends with Joaquim, but Krzysztof shown a distance at first. That would all change in the skies I was sure. "We're slower than them", said Joaquim, "so we must go where they're needed. That's the only way to force them to fight with us. And that's where there are infantry combats." So we decided to hunt between zones of ground combat and German controlled territory. We didn't have to wait long.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc501.jpg
"We fight in pairs as one to compensate our inferior firepower", said Joaquim and I added. "Jósef will be my wingman and Krzysztof will be Joaquim's. Follow us like if you were our shadows." And they nodded. And we were back here as in Spain. Again facing the enemies of freedom. Two Stukas and two Me-109. "Attack the Stukas, we'll protect you", crackled Joaquim's voice in my ears. We were both lucky. We were the few one's who had radio in our PZL's. And four machine guns. The majority of our fighters had only two guns and no radio.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc504.jpg
I've signaled Jósef with a hand signal as the Me-109's speed up to meet us.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc505.jpg
And then it all started. Seagulls against hawks.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc506.jpg
The German split their fire. The leader fired against Jósef and his wingman fired accurately against Joaquim's plane raking him with cannon shells.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc507.jpg
We fired back at them. Our machine guns seeming puny, our knees locking the stick while we fired both sets of machine guns at the same time with both hands. Little damage was made and a sensation of despair shadowed my Polish optimism.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc508.jpg
My flight faced the Stukas then and the German fighters went for an Immelman. But they made it too soon.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc509.jpg
In the frontal passage we were shot by the fixed machine guns of the Stukas.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc510.jpg
And we've fired back at them. But little damage was made.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc511.jpg
Then we've passed them and were at the mercy of their gunners. But Joaquim turned hard left and he position himself in an excellent spot. It was time to make use of his excellent firing skills. He was already an ace with five confirmed kills in the skies of Spain.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc512.jpg
Both Stuka's gunners fired at Jósef hitting him hard.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc513.jpg
Then Joaquim and Krzysztof fired their guns! Joaquim hit the cockpit of the leading Stuka and a small explosion flashed in the engine of the German leader's fighter. Young Krzysztof had made his first kill.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc514.jpg
"That's a Polish fighter pilot", I said to Joaquim, like a proud father through the radio. "You are talking about my wingman, my friend", said Joaquim laughing. A parachute opened - white against blue skies.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc515.jpg
And suddenly things were looking better. Even if in the ground the Germans kept pounding our positions. The Stukas kept their mission flight and the remaining German fighter speed up to get into a better position. "Let's concentrate on the Stukas", I told Joaquim.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc516.jpg
The gunners changed their target and fired at the already damaged Joaquim's fighter.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc517.jpg
Joaquim and Krzysztof fired back at the leading Stuka.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc519.jpg
We've moved in to concentrate our fire against the Stukas that by now had understood that their mission became impossible, dropped their bombs and tried to retreat. I almost screamed with contentment.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc518.jpg
The Stuka gunners fired again against Joaquim and his plane was hanging by a shred.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc520.jpg
Then they fired back and they made some impressive damage to the Stukas.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc521.jpg
And from afar, both we and Jósef fired against the Stuka at the rear of the formation.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc522.jpg
We've regrouped while the Stukas turned hard left. The German fighter was a distant point turning also left.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc523.jpg
The German gunners kept firing courageously.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc524.jpg
Krzysztof fired at the leading Stuka with precision hitting its tail squarely.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc525.jpg
The rest of us fired at the other Stuka. Joaquim hit its Cockpit again. I destroyed its tail...
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc526.jpg
... sending him spiralling down. "Your fourth kill, my friend!" Said Joaquim through the radio. He hadn't forgot my three kills in Spain. That was sweet. One more parachute opened up. A pilot or a gunner died a few moments later.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc527.jpg
"Let's get this one before we have to deal with the fighter!" I shouted.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc528.jpg
The German gunner continued to fire against Krzysztof. But I knew his fate was already sealed.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc529.jpg
We all fired against the Stuka. A fire erupted from it's engine.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc530.jpg
We kept pouring lead against it. But it was already down. "This one's belongs to Jósef", said Joaquim and I knew why he gave up it's share of the killing.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc531.jpg
We watch the Stuka falling down, burning. Nobody jumped from it.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i395/Bayushiseni/The%20Kindness%20of%20Strangers%20Campaign/Chapter%205%20-%20September%20Blood/SeptemberBloodSc532.jpg
As one we all turned to face the last enemy plane. But the German fighter decided that retreating was the best part of valour and we didn't have the speed to catch up with him. We made our way back to the airfield. There was still hope for Poland.