Red Hawk Rising

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