Death and Honor

[THREE]

Canoas Air Base Pôrto Alegre, Brazil 1305 22 July 1943

Captain Gonzalo Delgano, who was in the co-pilot seat of the Lodestar, consulted his chart, the needle of the radio direction finder, and looked out the side window of the cockpit. Then he looked over his shoulder at the managing director of South American Airways standing behind him, pointed at the chart, the ground, and then the RDF indicator.

Frade nodded his understanding of what he had been shown, then said, “I think it would be better if I worked the radio.”

Smiling at Captain Francisco Sánchez, who was in the pilot seat, Frade said, “Can I get in there, please, Captain?”

“Yes, of course, señor,” Sánchez said, then unfastened his harness, stood up, and squeezed past Frade.

“It might be best, Captain,” Frade said, his tone very serious, “if you went in the back and strapped yourself in. Captain Delgano will be landing the aircraft, and more often than not that is both a frightening and bumpy experience.”

“Mother of God!” Delgano said in disbelief, shaking his head.

Captain Sánchez tried but failed to restrain a smile.

Frade fastened his harness, then keyed the microphone.

“Canoas, this is South American Airways Zero Zero One,” he said in English, “thirty miles south of your station at five thousand feet, indicating one eight zero knots. Request approach and landing.”

The reply did not come immediately. When it did, it was an American voice.

“Aircraft calling Canoas, be advised that Canoas is a Brazilian air base closed to civilian traffic.”

Frade looked at Delgano, said, “I thought that might happen,” then pressed the mike button.

“Canoas, South American Airways Zero Zero One has aboard aircrews to pick up a Lodestar that you have on your field. If you have any questions, please contact General Wallace. Tell him the pilot in command is Señor Frade.”

“South American Zero Zero One, Canoas. Stand by.”

“South American Zero Zero One, Canoas.”

“Zero One.”

“Zero One, state your type of aircraft and position.”

“We’re a Lodestar a couple of miles south, passing through two thousand feet, indicating one five zero knots. I have the field in sight.”

“Canoas has you in sight, Zero One. Canoas clears Zero Zero One for a straight-in approach to Runway Three-Five. Be advised that a Follow-Me will meet you at the end of your landing roll.”

“Understand straight in to Three-Five. Thank you.”