“There it is.” Kurt banked sharply to the south and circled the estate while Hans followed closely behind, scanning the familiar landscape. They were delivering new fighters to a base down south and although they were on a schedule, they detoured over Meissen to check out Gabi’s country estate. Hans studied the imposing mansion.
“I know the place. I can’t believe this is Gabi’s home,” Hans said.
Kurt circled the property. “I knew they were loaded, must be worth a fortune. I wonder how many servants they have to keep this place going?”
“Look, over to the hill. I think I see Gabi and Heinz.”
The pair dived down for a low pass.
“Look! I bet its Kurt and Hans,” Heinz yelled, pulling up his trousers and bounding out into the clearing. “Kurt said they would be flying this way.”
Gabi gaped up at the planes for a moment before hauling herself back onto Spitz and bolting down the hill. She could see the shadows cast by the planes drawing nearer until they flew directly above her and the shadows merged and then parted again.
“Shit, she can ride,” Kurt said. “Look at her go.”
Hans watched, mesmerized by the vision below; young, beautiful virgin with long, golden hair riding a black steed on a splendid country estate. All right, so she wasn’t a virgin, but the rest fulfilled his fantasy.
“Hey, Phipps, watch it!”
Hans quickly adjusted his course; a mid-air collision would not only be fatal, but highly embarrassing.
May 1941
“Six weeks we’ve been here and you haven’t let me win once!”
Heinz, idle and bored with their internship at Magdeburg Ost, let the frustration fly. Gabi had once again beaten him at cards and for Heinz, it was the proverbial last straw.
“I don’t always win,” she said. “I’m sure I’ve let you win a few times.”
Heinz tossed his cards onto the table. He rolled his shoulders and stretched, seizing the latest JG 27 bulletin that lay on top of a pile of magazines, aggressively peeling its pages from back to front.
“Fine, be stroppy. It’s not my fault that you play a poor hand.” Gabi gathered the cards and placed them back into a wooden box, irritation building at Heinz’s juvenile outburst. She held her breath, hoping to calm herself and avoid any further hostility; this had not been the first time that Heinz had lost his temper and she was growing tired of his moods.
“Heinz, we need to talk. I know you’ve been bored but…”
Heinz held his hand up like a schoolmaster silencing an assembly of noisy students and continued to read the paper.
Incensed by his haughtiness, Gabi snatched the bulletin and scowled at him.
“What are you doing? I was reading something important.”
He snatched the paper back and turned a page. “See, it’s true what they’re saying… there, page two—take a look.”
Gabi examined the article and her eyes widened as she took on its significance. The Luftwaffe was setting up bases in North Africa and Egypt to provide support for the Italians and JG 27 was to transfer there.
“Finally, a chance to see the world and get some real action under our belts,” Heinz said.
But Gabi did not share Heinz’s excitement. “Heinz, I’d love to go but my father wouldn’t permit it. Even after all this time, he still has a problem with me flying. Don’t forget, he was responsible for getting us posted to Magdeburg Ost in the first place because it was close to Berlin. He’ll be on the telephone to Onkel Albert the minute he finds out.”
Heinz stared at the bulletin, and Gabi could see in his eyes how his thoughts darted back and forth. What was he up to?
“How would you be if I transferred to North Africa—just a provisional transfer?”
Gabi chewed her bottom lip. She knew that Heinz desperately wanted a change and this transfer might give him the opportunity to prove himself and earn that promotion he so wanted. Who was she to hold him back? Besides, they had been getting on each other’s nerves lately, and she couldn’t help but think that a break would do them both good. “I’d miss you and I’d worry but if it was only for a short time, I guess I could live with it.”
“And you can transfer to JG 54 in Jever—Kurt can look out for you. Your father should be fine with that.”
She drew breath. Kurt… and Lieutenant Philipp. She smiled approvingly. “Yes, I suppose so.”
“Then it’s settled.” Heinz clutched the bulletin and scurried away, leaving Gabi to dwell on the transfer.
Her worry grew. Heinz was still so young and impulsive, often oblivious to danger and consequence. And clumsy, so very clumsy. But he was a good jagdflieger and knew what to do. Besides, it would only be for a short while; she would see to that herself through the ever-reliable, always obliging Onkel Albert.
On the morning of Heinz’s departure for North Africa, Gabi cried herself sick. She clung to Heinz and sobbed until he tenderly pushed her from him, holding her at arm’s length, soothing and stroking her to calm.
“Don’t cry, Gabi, we’ll see each other again soon. I promise to write to you every day.”
Gabi knew how much Heinz hated writing, and this would be a real test of his commitment to her. She wiped her runny nose on a sleeve and swallowed hard to suppress hiccups that left an ache in her chest.
Heinz placed his hands on either side of her face, using his thumbs to wipe away her tears. “I need to tell you something.”
Their eyes locked and Gabi could feel the fear in his trembling hands as he smoothed her cheeks.
“I won’t be able to protect you,” he said. “Promise me that you’ll be careful. Stay close to Kurt.” He paused. “Don’t trust what you see. The fatal shot comes when you least expect it.”
Gabi threw herself at his lips and clung on until her sobs forced them to part.
“I love you, Heinz.”
“I love you too. I’ll be back soon, you’ll see.”
Coffee and cake greeted Gabi on her mid-morning arrival at Jever. A table decked with chequered cloth and coffee set for six, speckled poppy cake and apple strudel dusted with icing sugar accompanied by a bowl of whipped cream, set a bizarre scene for it had been positioned in the centre of a drab air-base yard, surrounded by unattractive hangars and empty fuel drums.
“Welcome to JG 54, Officer Cadet Richter.” Hans strolled over to Gabi and extended his hand. “Perfect timing; we’re having coffee and cake—no crumb cake, though. I trust your journey went well?”
Gabi blushed and inwardly cursed her reaction. “Yes, indeed, Lieutenant Philipp.” She saluted and took his hand to shake. “Who have we here?”
Hans smiled down at the dogs that bounded about their feet, demanding attention. “This one is Minke and this is Pinke. They’re the most spoiled pooches in the Reich but they make good company, although they do have a few bad habits.”
They took to Gabi immediately, licking and pining to be picked up and cuddled. Pinke, the female, was especially besotted by Gabi and followed her around incessantly. She selected Gabi as her new bed-partner, curling up with her each night under the warm bed covers and nestling so close that Gabi could feel its little body rise and fall with every breath. A foot-stool was placed at the end of the bed allowing the little dog to climb on and off the bed safely for dachshunds were an impractical breed and prone to back injury.
Pinke became Gabi’s confidante, sharing both her bed and a fondness for a certain charming squadron leader with a soft, deep voice and manly eyes. But not everything about her transfer was agreeable. Not long after she arrived, Gabi discovered that the farmer-boy was also stationed with JG 54.