Armageddon_ A Novel of Berlin - Leon Uris [290]
A week after Azov vanished, the opera box belonging to General Nikolai Trepovitch was empty at a performance of Aïda. Three days later a small five-line box on the last page of the Red Army publication announced that Marshal Popov would assume General Trepovitch’s duties in addition to his own.
As the West continued to meet the challenge of winter head on and the temper of the Berliners turned to pure iron, Popov ordered more Yak fighter planes into the corridor. They buzzed dangerously close to the Skymasters and British Yorks. Antiaircraft fire was apt to commence in the corridors close to the stream of planes without prior warning. Target sleeves were towed into the paths of incoming blocs.... But the Sky Bridge did not waver.
The French followed the softest line, insisting to the last that the Soviet Union could be negotiated with ... and then their patience collapsed.
The three military governors of the West called together a press conference to make a dramatic announcement. The honor was given to General Yves de Lys, who stood before the microphone looking into a room crammed with journalists from both sides of the Gate.
“As of 0600 this morning, all trade from the Western Zones of Germany to the Soviet Zone is suspended. All transit by waterway, highway, and rail through the Western Sectors of Berlin is ceased.”
The West had launched the counterblockade!
Chapter Thirty-two
PERIODICALLY, M.J. MADE HIRAM throw a party for staff and wives as a peacemaking gesture. Clint and Judy trotted off to it.
It was snowing when Scott arrived. He went upstairs to see the children. Lynn was down with a sore throat. His magic pocket turned up a charm of a little Berlin bear. For Tony there was a figurine of a top-hatted, ladder-carrying chimney sweep. They were made up by the Berlin Chimney Sweep Association and given as presents to several hundred Airlift crew members. A welcome fire crackled when he came down to the living room.
“How were your flights today?”
“Germany has a monopoly on weather,” he said. He never complained, so it must have been rough.
“I didn’t get a chance to phone your sister,” he said, “but I did find an old pal at Tempelhof who said he’d deliver a package.”
“That is wonderful. I will give you a box tonight before you leave.”
Hilde had made up a parcel for Ernestine of shoes, a warm sweater, underclothing, cosmetics, some tinned food.
“I hope you meet Erna someday,” Hilde said. “She is a wonderful girl. It is a shame we only got to know each other so late and under much hardship. I look forward so much to good times with her one day.”
Scott sat on the big hassock and stared into the fire. “I’m getting grounded for a few weeks,” he said.
“Is anything wrong?”
“No. The flight surgeon says I’ve flown too many hours, even by Stonebraker’s standards.”
“Scott, I have never said it, but I want you to know how wonderful this thing is that you do for Berlin. With Erna there, it means even more to me.”
He shrugged. “We didn’t vote on coming to Germany. We’re told where to fly.”
“And to drop candy bars to children? And to give up a good life like Colonel Loveless and your general?”
“It has been an interesting challenge,” Scott said in what was a semi-official tone of voice.
“Anyhow,” she said, “I am glad you won’t be flying for a time. You need a rest.”
“I’ll be taking a leave, Hilde. I want to go away someplace for a week where they don’t know about airplanes. Will you go with me?”
She did not go through with her reflexive reaction to say no because that could mean sending him away for good ... nor could she tell him she really wanted to go. “It would be a mistake, Scott.”
“No strings,” he said. “Don’t answer tonight. I’ll call you between flights to Berlin tomorrow. My leave starts day after tomorrow.”
As Scott drove to Rhein/Main he knew it would be a long day. A light, freezing rain had iced the road.
Bloc time neared. The crews reported to Operations. Scott’s ship would be Number One with a mixed cargo