Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 270, Page 269: International Brigades Friendship Association, Transfer of Command, Defending Madrid
Fang Wen agreed to attend the International Brigades social gathering that evening, but it didn't start until 8 p.m. and didn't include dinner.

Upon arriving at the Albacete base, Fang Wen and his team, being newcomers, still needed to solve the problems of food and daily supplies.

This requires contacting the Comintern officer at the Albacete base.

Upon hearing this, Hemingway, a soldier in the U.S. International Brigades, enthusiastically helped to introduce the matter on behalf of the base officer.

"Follow me. There is a supplies warehouse at the base. All international troop members go there to register and apply for supplies and daily necessities."

Immediately afterwards, Fang Wen, along with two pilots who had been assigned to manage the logistics of the flight team, went with Hemingway to the supply depot.

They passed through several camps and saw large numbers of international fighters from all over the world.

These people are full of enthusiasm. They will greet you regardless of whether you know them or not. Even if you don't speak the same language, they can convey a certain spiritual power through body language.

Hemingway was also a very enthusiastic person. While interacting with people along the way, he also talked with Fang Wen from time to time.

"Fang, I've known your name for a long time. You're a remarkable Eastern pilot, flying solo across Eurasia and the Pacific Ocean, and a business genius with astonishing wealth. I'm curious, why did you join the International Brigades?"

"To enjoy aerial combat," Fang Wen replied with a smile, then asked, "Hemingway, why did you join the International Brigades?"

Fang Wen's claim of enjoying aerial combat might seem strange to others, but Hemingway did not.

He followed up on Fang Wen's question by saying, "I participated in World War I, hunted lions in Africa, and worked as a sailor for a Caribbean shipping company. Exciting experiences always make me happy. This time is no different. I want to see and experience firsthand what the communist revolution is like. For this reason, I joined the International Brigades and, as a Spanish war correspondent, reported the war truthfully to the world."

"So that's how it is," Fang Wen, who had a deeper understanding of the United States, couldn't help but joke, "Your report probably won't get published in American newspapers. As far as I know, your civil rights union alliance has never succeeded."

So-called civil rights unionism is a unique product of the American era.

As the most developed capitalist country, it was also impacted by the wave of communist revolutions, which led to the formation of various trade unions.

After these unions were established, due to racial issues among different immigrant groups, gang infiltration, and the erosion of the upper structure, they gradually became less radical and instead chose a conservative form that attempted to coexist with capital.

This compromise has turned American labor unions into tools for channeling interests, representing workers in advocating for capital, working for capital, and even becoming a vote bank for politicians.

Fang Wen's satire reflects the consensus among many progressive individuals, who have all come to understand the changes happening in the United States.

Hemingway was somewhat embarrassed: "This is only temporary. We are preparing a counterattack. There will be more literary works, reports, and film promotions to let people know how to defend their rights."

"Oh? I wish you success," Fang Wen replied.

As a person from the future, Fang Wen was not as optimistic as Hemingway.

He said no more and followed Hemingway to the supply distribution center.

There, Hemingway found the clerk in charge of registration and explained the situation.

"They're from the Asian Flight Team; they just arrived today and haven't started registration yet."

The clerk nodded. "Come with me to the office."

Inside the office, after registering the relevant information, the officer asked:
"Albassett Base was established hastily, with only one communal mess hall, which provides bread, vegetable soup, and smoked meat products. Many soldiers from the International Brigade are not used to this food, so we arranged a second supply method: providing basic supplies and letting you arrange your own meals. Which option does your Asian flight team choose?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Wen chose the second option without hesitation, as Asian stomachs have their own tolerance range.

He took the supplies list from the clerk and looked at it.

Among the basic supplies that can be provided,
Daily necessities include: towels, sheets, washbasins, pots, bowls, etc.

Military supplies: Each person may apply for a set of individual combat weapons, special aviation fuel for the flight squadron, and a set of unmarked Soviet Air Force combat uniforms.

Daily food supplies: flour, drinking water, locally produced Spanish tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, onions, olive oil, and Iberian black pork.

These supplies are quite good and can meet the daily needs of the flight team. Fang Wen signed the supply list and took the first batch of supplies back.

After returning from the supply warehouse, the Asian flight team began preparing a meal.

Lacking a stove, the three Red Army pilots made a makeshift field stove using bricks and stones from the camp.

Chinese pilots, who are born with a knack for food, have awakened their culinary talents in a foreign land.

A group of people got busy, chopping and washing vegetables, and stir-frying the vegetables in the Spanish frying pans they had been given.

There are also noodles; handmade noodles, made by hand, are cooked in a soup pot and become the main dish for tonight.

By the time the meal was ready, it was already past 6 o'clock. Everyone sat together with their bowls, eating noodles with meat sauce and tomatoes.

Perhaps everyone was hungry, or perhaps the Iberian black pork tasted good; everyone ate an average of three bowls of meat at this meal.

After finishing the meal, Fang Wen made an announcement.

"Tonight is the International Brigades' gala, and our flight team has been invited to participate. Everyone, get ready and look your best."

Of the seven pilots, four were from Southeast Asia and came from well-off families. They were very interested in participating in such social activities as parties and immediately went back to their rooms to prepare.

The three Red Army pilots, however, seemed somewhat uncomfortable.

They are disciplined and study very hard; they are the best soldiers.

However, this environment is their weakness.

One of them couldn't help but speak up: "General Manager, we're not suited for that kind of environment, can't we just not go?"

Fang Wen shook his head: "There are many Comintern fighters from different countries in the International Brigades. The three of you are representing China, so you should get together with them more often and increase international friendship. Don't you think that makes sense?"

After hearing Fang Wen's words, the situation changed. The three agreed and went back to their rooms to prepare.

Looking at the three figures from behind, Fang Wen couldn't help but smile.

At that moment, Hemingway came in from outside.

He noticed the aroma of food and couldn't help but ask, "What are you eating?"

"Noodles. Want some? If you do, I'll make some for you," Fang Wen said, pointing to a stack of handmade noodles that wasn't quite finished cooking next to the stove.

“I’ll do it myself.” Hemingway tried to light the fire in the field stove, but failed several times. With Fang Wen’s guidance, he finally managed to start the fire.

Seeing him busy, Fang Wen stopped paying attention and went inside to change his clothes.

Thirty minutes later, the eight members of the Asian Flight Team emerged, dressed in matching Taishan Airlines uniforms, looking dashing and spirited.

Hemingway, who was eating tomato meat sauce noodles, was quite surprised when he saw you: "You guys are definitely the stars of the night. But I suggest you wear your Soviet air force combat uniforms as well, that would better reflect your status."

Fang Wen smiled and shook his head in refusal. The unmarked Soviet flight jacket he had brought back was very thick and would be great for keeping warm in air combat, but it wasn't as good as what he was wearing now for the party.

Seeing that the other party did not take his advice, Hemingway did not say anything more and wolfed down his tomato meat sauce noodles.

Afterwards, the group followed Hemingway to the International Brigades' celebration. (Soviet Air Force combat uniform)
The group arrived at the Albacete base for the International Brigades' gala dinner.

There was a huge open-air stage, with a bonfire burning, where thousands of people were socializing.

On the large stage in the middle, someone was singing loudly.

International fighters from all over the world drank, chatted, and danced.

This is relaxation before the battle.

Fang Wen gave the pilots the order: "Disperse and go do your own thing."

The pilots scattered, and even three Red Army pilots who were not good at socializing tried to communicate with communist fighters from other countries.

Fang Wenze and Hemingway walked through the crowd at the party. He was curious about what kind of people Hemingway would introduce him to.

Under Hemingway's guidance, Fang Wen first met members of the International Brigades' Chinese branch.

It turns out that Fang Wen and his group were not the only Chinese who joined the International Brigades.

Fang Wen talked with these compatriots for a long time and learned about their situation.

This Chinese contingent has 100 members, who are voluntary international fighters organized by the French Chinese Communist Party. Among them are European students, overseas workers, and children of overseas Chinese.

These people were also very interested in Fang Wen's organization of the Huaxia Flying Team to support the Spanish Civil War, and they all wished the flying team great success in this war.

During the pleasantries, Hemingway, who had left, returned: "Fang, come with me, my friends are eager to see you."

Fang Wen bid farewell to his compatriots and followed Hemingway to another venue of the party.

There, it was a relatively quiet salon, with a bourgeois style, filled with jazz music, melodious singing, and people dancing ballroom dances in pairs.

Fang Wen was not too surprised by this. He knew that the people who joined the International Brigades were a diverse group, including the working class and many progressive people from different fields, such as poets, artists, doctors, and journalists.

Under Hemingway's guidance, he met some people who would become famous in the future.

Albert Camus, a writer from France.

Chilean poet Pablo Neruda.

British author George Orwell.

It can be said that birds of a feather flock together; these people, like Hemingway, were writers, so they naturally knew each other.

After socializing with them, Fang Wen picked up a glass of red wine and walked alone among the crowd. He was curious to see which celebrities he might run into at this party.

At this moment, Hemingway came over to the band, took the microphone from the singer, and said loudly, "Comrades, our International Brigades have received their first batch of fighter pilots, the Asian Flight Team formed by Fang Wen of Taishan Airlines. Let's raise a toast to them."

The room fell silent. Following Hemingway's gesture, everyone looked at Fang Wen, their friendly gazes meeting on him, and they all raised their glasses.

Fang Wen smiled and raised his glass in response, and the room returned to its lively atmosphere.

It was also thanks to Hemingway's introduction that Fang Wen gained some recognition at the event, and some people took the initiative to approach him for a chat.

Fang Wen responded with a smile to these people's initiative in socializing with him.

An elderly man in his fifties approached, raised his glass, and said, "I have a feeling you will be the victor in the sky."

Fang Wen accepted the blessing and politely replied, "Thank you. May I ask who you are?"

“A down-on-his-luck painter, a proletarian, Pablo Picasso,” the old man replied.

Fang Wen suppressed his surprise and began to speak with him.

From the other person's words, Fang Wen knew that he was Spanish and had returned to his country to fight for his homeland.

The party ended the next day.

Those who attended the party returned to their respective posts. After a short period of relaxation, everyone would face the real battle.

According to the International Brigades' operational plan, several international brigades would be deployed to Madrid to join the Popular Front fighters there in confronting Franco's forces.

Therefore, after daybreak, international travelers began to set off for the north.

A sense of tension began to permeate the Albacete base.

At this time, Fang Wen, who had only been at the base for two days, had a formal meeting with the Director General of the International Brigade.

In a small conference room, the Director-General explained the situation.

“Currently, our international brigades each have their own selected personnel in command, and we will not interfere. Our main responsibility is to coordinate with the People’s Front. But your air force cannot do that.”

"Why?" Fang Wen asked at the opportune moment.

"Franco's army has the support of Germany and Italy, and the Spanish Air Force is currently neutral. Therefore, Madrid lacks air power. After learning of your arrival, the Popular Front requested to directly command the battlefield with you. Therefore, you will be directly commanded by the Popular Front," the Director-General replied.

Fang Wen nodded. This kind of thing is normal. If there were international brigades in between, it would be even more troublesome.

He replied, "I accept. The fighter jets are expected to arrive at the port of Valencia this afternoon. I will take people to receive the aircraft and prepare them here. As for how to command the flight operations, please inform the Popular Front. We need a period of mutual familiarization."

After a conversation, Fang Wen left, taking three pilots with him from Albacete and traveling by car to the port of Valencia.

It was already afternoon when we arrived there.

With the dockworkers guarding the port, the four fighter jets were successfully transported to the port.

Subsequently, Fang Wen boarded the Shrike, and the three pilots boarded the fully renovated Il-16, taking off from the flat, makeshift runway outside the port and flying towards Albacete.

After a day of rest in Albacete, the arrangements were finalized in Madrid.

The Popular Front wartime command took over command of the Asian Flying Team, and as a first step in familiarizing themselves with the team, they ordered the entire Asian Flying Team to fly to Madrid.

Immediately afterwards, the Asian air force took off, with a Boeing 247 and four high-speed fighter jets taking off and flying towards Madrid, the Spanish capital, hundreds of kilometers away.

The flight team arrived over Madrid after a two-hour flight.

Fang Wen piloted the Shrike ahead to conduct an aerial reconnaissance. After confirming that there were no problems, he made an aerial command maneuver, and the entire flight team lined up in the air.

At the same time, he turned on his radio and made a call to the ground.

"Calling Madrid, the Asian flight team has arrived and requests further instructions."

(End of this chapter)