The Abbeville Boys
Chapter 11: Kurt Commands the ME 109
Kurt came out on the flight line at zero six hundred hours and walked with Berger to an area where five ME 109s sat. They walked up to the third plane. Berger and Kurt walked around doing a preflight check. The 109s had a single seat so Kurt would be flying solo on his first flight in the plane. This was a harrowing experience for a lot of young pilots. The 109 was a low wing fighter plane with power. It was a beautiful aircraft and had a sleek profile. The plane looked fast just sitting on the tarmac. Kurt couldn’t wait to try it out.
Berger prepared Kurt for the machine, “You know all the instruments from the trainer but there are different flight characteristics. There’s only one wing and the controls are sensitive. You need to get the feel quick. The main thing is the landing gear can be a problem. The wheels are narrow, and some pilots have problems when they land. You need to keep it stable as you touch down. I think you’re ready. If you have any problems, contact me by radio.”
Kurt got in the cockpit and strapped in as Berger explained things, “Pull the framed canopy closed over your head.”
Kurt looked at Berger as he climbed down off the wing. Kurt closed the cockpit canopy. The 109 had to be started by a crank shaft close to the engine. A man approached with the crank. Berger stood back and Kurt turned the switch on. The man cranked the engine. It turned over a few times and began to roar. Kurt revved it up. The blocks were removed from the wheels and the plane taxied forward. For the first time Kurt was intimidated. He could feel the power of the engine as he got clearance from the tower to takeoff.
Berger watched with anticipation when Kurt came around from the taxi way and gunned the throttle as he had when flying the trainer. Berger smiled and knew everything would be alright.
Kurt guided the 109 down the runway. Kurt had never felt such power. The narrow landing gear wasn’t a problem for him on takeoff. He pulled the stick back slightly and she rose up to the sky. He put the flaps to zero percent and retracted the landing gear. He was flying like a god. He had a smile on his face as the plane soared through the sky. He maneuvered his craft straight up rolling it over and over. It was the greatest feeling ever and a beautiful sight. He went back down to the ground flying close to the trees in the forest, then shooting back up to the sky. The plane weaved in and out of the clouds, back and forth. He owned the sky.
Kurt was now feeling what the pilot saw on the first day he looked at the plane waiting for Joseph, and more. He climbed to six hundred meters (two thousand feet) with ease. This was what he dreamed of. Everything felt just as it was supposed to. After flying to his heart’s content, it was time to land. He approached the runway and slowed down the plane. The landing gear came down and he pulled back on the throttle with the flaps at twenty percent. He remembered what Berger had told him about the landing gear being hard to control. He gently touched down and could feel a wobble because of the narrow space of the landing gear. He pulled the throttle back and the 109 settled in as it taxied to the hanger.
Berger was there to greet him, “That was great flying, what I could see of it. I lost you when you went down in the trees. You seemed to have a great command of the aircraft.”
Kurt was smiling as he opened the canopy and crawled out of the 109, “It was amazing. I felt in complete control. Thank you for this. I’ve never felt this good.”
Berger just stood there, “You’re a great pilot. You’ll need some more time in the 109 but now let’s go get some chow.”
They went to the officer’s mess and Berger took Kurt back to a special room where a few officers were allowed to dine. There were no rules in this room. You sat and the meal was brought to the table. There was no saluting or coming to attention. Kurt wondered what was going on.
They sat down and food was brought to them. Berger said, “Here’s the deal. I think you’re ready to fly the 109 but you need to learn formations and tactics. We don’t have a lot of time for that. We need pilots now. For the next few days, you’ll go up three times each day for an hour and a half. I will go up with you and teach you formation flying and fighter tactics. In a few weeks you could be in a combat squadron. You’re a good pilot, I want you to be ready. At this point in the buildup, we don’t have quantity, so we definitely need quality. You are quality.”
Kurt sat there looking at him. He’s now thinking of all the pressure on him. Berger made a big deal out of it and probably shouldn’t have. Wars are fought by many people and aren’t dependent on one person. A young man such as Kurt will take it literally and has trouble processing the expectations.
After breakfast Kurt went back to his room. He was thinking about Gretchen. He became homesick and wanted to marry her and settle down to the lifestyle his mother and father had. He loved flying and wanted to get into combat, but the coming war was starting to sound like an act of desperation. They don’t seem ready to fight.
During the next few days Berger and Kurt went up in 109’s and performed formation flying. Berger also showed him fighting maneuvers. On the last day they split up and flew separately for a few minutes. Berger suddenly appeared behind him in attack mode. Kurt saw him and immediately swerved left for a second then started right but pulled up bringing the throttle back quickly. He rolled over and was on Berger’s tail. Berger looked up as Kurt went over the top, shocked. Now he was on the defensive as Kurt closed in. It was brilliant flying.
Berger waved his wings in defeat and formed up to head to base. He decided Kurt was adept at dogfighting tactics. Berger was satisfied with his progress.
They landed after a long day of flying. Berger looked at Kurt as they met between their planes, “There’s more I need to show you, but we don’t have time. You’re being assigned to Jagdgeschwader 26 (a Luftwaffe squadron). The squadron is located a few miles east of Berlin. You can call me anytime and ask questions. The pilots in your squad will show you things, they’re good. I served with many of them in Spain. You should be fine. You’ll spend two more days here with me and then fly the new ME 109E, or as we call it, Emil to Berlin. It’s a great plane. This will be your plane. You’ll have specific mechanics assigned to you. You’re lucky. The new guys usually get the old planes, but I pulled some strings and you’ll be flying the best.”
The next two days were easy for Kurt. He and Berger went over different formations and tactics the Royal Air Force (RAF) used in combat. Kurt asked Berger if he could divert to the Leipzig airfield before going to Berlin. He wanted to see Gretchen. Berger knew what he was going to do. Berger cleared it with the higher ups and told Kurt he could stop in Leipzig overnight but needed to be in Berlin early the next morning. Kurt was happy and flew off the next morning.