My Enemy Is My Savior

Chapter 38-Siegfried Holtzmann

The sun's glare illuminated the ring of my gun sight. Everything was peaceful after taking off; only when I'm out for a regular flight that is. Times like these are rare since the Soviet planes are always attacking either our airfield or us. But the sky was silent, and what floated around me were clouds and other fighter planes of my squadron.

It was still quite early in the morning and I could still taste the bitter coffee in my mouth. The heater in my canopy was gaining its power and I began to sweat under my jacket.

"Anything at the right flank, Holtzmann?" the leutnant radioed to me. I glanced over out my window.

"Nothing, Herr Leutnant," I responded.

Below was a land of endless green, topped with white like the Alps. My plane flew vertically over this nature range of evergreens and soon I found myself hovering above a wide open field. There was something at the far end of the field, and I squinted to try to make out what it was.

"You think anybody's in that house over there?" I heard the leutnant ask. "I hope they're not Russians with hidden anti-aircraft guns." A laugh cackled over my radio system.

"I don't think so, it seems too quiet to me," Adenauer answered.

"Well the enemy's always quiet," the lieutenant retorted.

Our planes flew closer to the house, it's wooden beams becoming more noticeable. The door to the log house was left open. Around the shelter's entrance were crevices and foot prints still visible although fresh snow dusted over it.

"Ach, seems like the Russians already attacked this place!" Beltz said. "I thought I saw one of our soldiers lying somewhere down there."

There were four of us, and we formed a line over the forest. The familiar sight came back as the field was now at the end of my tail. The mentioning of the soldier that was left at the log house caused me to think of a friend of mine.

Was he alright? This must be a common thought for friends that are trapped together in war. I glanced over at my gauges and they were stable. I then shut my eyes and thought about my friend, our memories still vivid even as they evanesced into the past. I fought back my tears and sniffled.

"Holtzmann, are you alright?" the leutnant asked.

"Yes, I'm okay." I adjusted my oxygen mask and settled down in my seat, my eyes focusing over the horizon.

A thought crept into my mind. What if that was him lying there in the open? I shook my head. He has to be somewhere. He dreamed of becoming a soldier, and he'll fight to live that dream and stay in it. He was gallant, as I recalled him rescuing me behind enemy lines. The reason why I am here was because of him. I could've died a year ago as the Russians swarmed around me, but my friend had the guts to save me.

Then I recalled our confinement, when a Russian captured us and trapped us. I thought it was the end for us back then. My mind can still make out the deadly eyes of the Russian and I can still smell the alcoholic odor of his breath. We survived the Russians, now all we need is to survive this war.

"Yaks! They're coming behind us! Left flank, look out!" Adenauer shouted into the radio. My heart pounded. I gripped tightly onto the trigger.

"Alright men. Scatter!" the leutnant ordered. The four of us diverged out, and behind me I spotted the enemy planes; they had vibrant red noses and their white bodies matched the color of below.

They came closer.

Soon I found myself being chased by one, and I sped up the speed of my plane. Streaks of tracers sliced through the sky and some faded into nearby clouds. I spiralled upwards. The stars were still visible since they have not faded into the daylight yet. The enemy aircraft tagged behind, but fortunately it was far enough for me to drop behind it.