Chapter 270: 269, International Brigades Fraternity, Command Transfer, Defending Madrid
Fang Wen agreed to attend the International Brigades party in the evening, but it wouldn’t start until 8 p.m. and did not include dinner.
Fang Wen and his group, who had just arrived at Albacete Base, were newcomers and still needed to resolve issues with meals and daily supplies.
This required finding the Communist International officer at Albacete Base.
Upon hearing about this, American International Brigades soldier Hemingway enthusiastically stepped in to help introduce them on behalf of the base officer.
“Follow me. The base has a supply warehouse where all International Brigades go to register and apply for living supplies.”
Immediately, Fang Wen took two pilots who had been assigned to manage the flying team’s logistics work and headed with Hemingway to the supply distribution center.
They passed through several camps and saw a large number of international soldiers from all over the world.
These people were full of enthusiasm, greeting everyone proactively whether they knew them or not, and even with language barriers, they conveyed a certain spiritual power through body language.
Hemingway was also a very enthusiastic person; while socializing with others along the way, he occasionally chatted with Fang Wen.
“Fang, I’ve known your name for a long time. Magical Eastern Pilot, flying solo across Asia-Europe, crossing 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 smiled in response, then asked, “Hemingway, why did you join the International Brigades?”
What Fang Wen said about enjoying aerial combat might sound strange to others, but not to Hemingway.
He replied to Fang Wen’s question: “I’ve fought in World War I, hunted lions in Africa, and worked as a sailor for a Caribbean shipping company. An exciting life always makes me feel happy. This time is the same. I want to see and experience what a communist revolution is like, so I joined the International Brigades as a Spanish war correspondent to report this war truthfully to the world.”
So that’s how it was. Fang Wen, who had a deep understanding of America, couldn’t help but tease: “Your reports probably won’t get published in American newspapers. From what I know, your civil rights unionism has never succeeded.”
So-called civil rights unionism was a special product of America in this era.
As the country with the most developed capital, it was similarly impacted by the revolutionary wave of communism, and under its influence, various trade unions formed.
After these trade unions were established, due to racial issues among different immigrants, gang infiltration, and corruption in the upper structures, they gradually lost their radicalism and instead chose a conservative form that sought to coexist with capital.
This compromise turned American trade unions into tools for channeling interests, representing workers in bargaining with capital while also working for capital, and even becoming vote banks for politicians.
Fang Wen’s teasing was also the consensus among many progressives; everyone had seen the changes in America.
Hemingway was a bit embarrassed: “This is only temporary. We’re preparing a counterattack, with more literary works, reports, and movies for propaganda to let people know how to defend their rights.”
“Oh? I wish you success.” Fang Wen replied.
As a man 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 officer in charge of registration and explained the situation.
“They are from the Asian Aviation team, arrived today, and haven’t started registration yet.”
The officer nodded. “Follow me to the office.”
In the office, after registering the relevant information, the officer asked:
“Albacete Base was established hastily, so there’s only one communal canteen providing bread and vegetable soup, as well as smoked meat products. Many International Brigades soldiers aren’t used to this food, so we arranged a second supply method: providing basic supplies for you to arrange your own meals. Which one does your Asian Aviation team choose?”
Hearing this, Fang Wen unhesitatingly chose the second option; Asian stomachs had their own adaptation range.
He took the officer’s supply list to review it.
Among the basic supplies that could be provided,
there were living supplies: towels, sheets, washbasins, pots, bowls, etc.
Military supplies: one set of individual combat weapons per person, aviation fuel specially supplied for the flying team, one set of unmarked Soviet Air Force combat uniforms.
Daily food supplies: flour, drinking water, locally produced Spanish tomatoes, chili peppers, potatoes, onions, olive oil, Iberian black pork.
These supplies were decent and could meet the flying team’s daily needs. Fang Wen signed the supply list and collected the first batch of supplies before returning.
Back from the supply warehouse, the Asian Aviation team began preparing to cook.
Without a stove, the three Red Army pilots used bricks and stones from the camp to make a simple field stove.
The Chinese pilots, naturally gifted with culinary talent, awakened their foodie cells in this foreign land.
The group got busy, chopping and washing vegetables, stir-frying in the Spanish flat-bottomed pans they had received.
There were also noodles; handmade dough was made into handmade noodles, boiled in a soup pot, and became tonight’s staple food.
By the time the meal was ready, it was already past 6 p.m. Everyone took bowls, sat together, and ate meat sauce tomato noodles.
Perhaps because everyone was hungry, or because the Iberian black pork tasted good, everyone averaged three bowls for this meal.
After eating, Fang Wen announced.
“Tonight is the International Brigades gala. Our flying team is invited to attend. Everyone, get ready and look spirited.”
Among the seven pilots, the four from Southeast Asia had decent family backgrounds and were very interested in social events like the gala, so they excitedly returned to their rooms to prepare.
The three Red Army pilots, however, felt a bit uncomfortable.
They were strictly disciplined and studied diligently, making them the best soldiers.
But this kind of environment was their weakness.
One of them couldn’t help but say, “General Manager, we’re not suited for that environment. Can we skip it?”
Fang Wen shook his head: “There are many Communist International soldiers from different countries in the International Brigades. You three represent China in attending; you should network with them more to build international friendship. Doesn’t that make sense?”
Hearing this from Fang Wen, their perspective shifted, and the three strongly agreed, returning to their rooms to prepare.
Watching their backs, Fang Wen couldn’t help but smile.
At that moment, Hemingway came in from outside.
Attracted by the aroma of food, he couldn’t help but say, “What are you eating?”
“Noodles. Want some? If so, I’ll boil some for you.” Fang Wen pointed to the stack of uncooked handmade noodles by the stove.
“I’ll do it myself.” Hemingway tried to light the field stove fire but failed several times. With Fang Wen’s guidance beside him, he finally succeeded in lighting it.
Seeing him busy, Fang Wen didn’t interfere further and went inside to change clothes.
Thirty minutes later, the eight members of the Asian Aviation team came out, wearing uniform Taishan Airline Company uniforms, looking sharp and dashing.
Hemingway, who was holding a bowl of tomato meat sauce noodles, was very surprised upon seeing them: “This outfit is definitely tonight’s star. But I suggest you also wear the Soviet Air Force combat uniforms; that would better highlight your identity.”
Fang Wen smiled and shook his head in refusal. The unmarked Soviet flight jackets they received were thick and great for staying warm in air combat, but wearing them to the gala was not as good as their current outfits.
Seeing that his suggestion wasn’t adopted, Hemingway said no more and wolfed down the tomato meat sauce noodles.
Afterward, the group followed Hemingway to the International Brigades gala.
（Soviet Air Force combat uniform）
The group arrived at the International Brigades gala at Albacete Base.
There was a huge open-air stage with a bonfire burning, and over a thousand people gathering.
On the central stage, someone was still singing passionately.
International soldiers from all over the world were drinking, chatting, and dancing.
This was pre-war relaxation.
Fang Wen gave orders to the pilots: “Disperse and enjoy yourselves.”
The pilots scattered eagerly; even the three Red Army pilots who weren’t good at socializing tried to communicate with communist soldiers from other countries.
Fang Wen walked through the crowd at the gala with Hemingway, curious about what people Hemingway would introduce him to.
Led by Hemingway, Fang Wen first met members of the Chinese detachment in the International Brigades.
It turned out that the Chinese people who joined the International Brigades weren’t just Fang Wen and his group.
Fang Wen chatted with these compatriots for a long time and learned about their situation.
This Chinese detachment had 100 members, organized by the French Chinese Communist Party as voluntary international soldiers, including European students, overseas workers, and children of overseas Chinese.
These people were very interested in Fang Wen organizing the Chinese flying team to support the Spanish war and all wished the flying team great victories in this war.
During the pleasantries, Hemingway returned: “Fang, come with me. My friends want to meet you.”
Fang Wen said goodbye to his compatriots and followed Hemingway to another venue at the gala.
There was a relatively quiet salon with a bourgeois style, jazz music, melodious singing, and people dancing waltzes in pairs.
Fang Wen wasn’t too surprised by this; he knew the people in the International Brigades were diverse, including working class as well as progressives from various fields and classes, such as poets, artists, doctors, and reporters.
Led by Hemingway, he met some people who would also be famous in the future.
French writer Albert Camus.
Chilean poet Pablo Neruda.
British writer George Orwell.
It could be said that birds of a feather flock together; these people, like Hemingway, were all writers and naturally knew each other.
After some socializing with them, Fang Wen took a glass of red wine and walked alone through the crowd. For him, at this gala, he was curious about what other celebrities he might encounter.
At this point, Hemingway went to the band side, took the singer’s microphone, and said loudly: “Comrades, the International Brigades has welcomed its first batch of fighter jet pilots, the Asian Aviation team formed by Taishan Airline Company’s Fang Wen. Let’s raise a glass to him.”
The venue instantly quieted, and following Hemingway’s gesture, everyone looked at Fang Wen, friendly gazes converging on him as people raised their glasses.
Fang Wen smiled and raised his glass in response, and the venue returned to its lively atmosphere.
Thanks to Hemingway’s introduction, Fang Wen gained some fame at the venue, and some people actively came to chat with him.
Facing their proactive socializing, Fang Wen smiled in response.
A man in his fifties walked over and raised his glass: “I have a feeling you’ll be a victor in the sky.”
Fang Wen naturally accepted this blessing and politely replied: “Thank you. May I ask who you are?”
“A down-and-out painter, a proletarian, Pablo Picasso.” The elder replied.
Fang Wen suppressed his inner surprise and chatted with him.
From his words, Fang Wen learned that he was a Spaniard who had returned to his country this time to fight for his homeland.
The night passed, and the gala ended.
People who attended the gala returned to their respective camps one after another. After this brief relaxation, everyone would face real combat.
According to the International Brigades’ combat plan, several International Brigades would head to Madrid to join the Popular Front soldiers there in counterattacking Franco’s army.
Therefore, after dawn, International Brigades began departing northward one after another.
The tension of the battlefield began to permeate Albacete Base.
At this time, Fang Wen, who had been at the base for only his second day, formally met with the International Brigades chief officer.
In a small meeting room, the international chief officer explained the situation.
“Currently, each of our several International Brigades has selected people for command, and we won’t interfere, mainly coordinating with the Popular Front. But your aviation team cannot do this.”
“Why?” Fang Wen asked appropriately.
“Franco’s army is supported by Germany and Italy, the Spanish Air Force is currently neutral, so Madrid lacks air power. After the Popular Front learned of your arrival, they requested direct battlefield command over you. Therefore, you will be directly commanded by the Popular Front.” The chief officer replied.
Fang Wen nodded; this was normal, and having the International Brigades in between would be more troublesome.
He replied: “I accept. The fighter jets are expected to arrive at Port of Valencia this afternoon. I’ll take people to receive the airplanes and prepare them here. As for commanding flight operations, please inform the Popular Front; we need a process to get acquainted.”
After the discussion, Fang Wen left, taking three pilots from Albacete by car to Port of Valencia.
By the time they arrived, it was already afternoon.
At the port, under the protection of dock workers, four fighter jets had been smoothly transported to the port.
Then, Fang Wen boarded Shrike Hao, the three pilots boarded the fully modified I-16, and they took off from a flat makeshift runway outside the port, flying toward Albacete.
After a day of maintenance at Albacete, communication with Madrid was also settled.
The Popular Front wartime command headquarters took over command of the Asian Aviation team. For the first familiarization, they required the Asian Aviation team to fly in formation to Madrid.
Immediately, the Asian Aviation team took off: one Boeing 247 plus four high-speed fighter jets rose into the air and flew toward Madrid, the Spanish capital hundreds of kilometers away.
Two hours after takeoff, the flying team arrived over Madrid.
Fang Wen flew Shrike Hao in front, first conducting aerial reconnaissance. After confirming no issues, he made aerial command gestures, and the entire flying team formed up in the air.
At the same time, he activated the radio device and called the ground.
“Calling Madrid, Asian Aviation team has arrived. Request next instructions.”
