The train that had left Molotov some two weeks ago, slowed down and took the siding that switches it into the rail yard behind the Vladivostok railway station, on Lugovaya Street—the terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Alexei, nearing the end of this part of his journey, gathered his knapsack and Lev. He had concern that the two-day delay in Irkutsk will have caused him to miss his departure on the freighter Extavia. It was to leave Vladivostok today, the first of September. It was destined to cross the Northern Pacific Ocean and reach Anchorage, Alaska in 12 days. Alexei did not know how he would get there if he missed the sailing date. Arrangements were made some time ago by Father Stepan, parish priest of the Russian Orthodox ‘Church of Our Lady’s Protection’ in Vladivostok. Father Stepan was a teacher at the seminary attended by Father Alexander and had been contacted by him about Alexei and the need to get him to Alaska.
Sympathetic to Alexei’s need, Father Stepan had recently corresponded with his brother who had immigrated to the United States some years ago and married an American woman. His brother had been called up as a Ryan PT-22 Recruit monoplane training pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He remembered the many times that he and his brother had flown together. Their favorite, a two-seat biplane—a Polikarpov Po-2 (nicknamed ‘kukuruza’ for ‘crop duster’), over the Siberian countryside alternating who piloted the plane.
Alexei hoped down with Lev when the train stopped. He headed for the front of the train looking for Ilya. He wanted to return the Railway uniform, thank him for all his help and say goodbye. He was also hoping to see Nikolay and thank him. He thought: Sure hope Father Stepan is meeting me here. I need to know what is going on.
He found both Ilya and Nikolay talking to Father Stepan, who had just inquired about Alexei. Nikolay introduced Alexei and Lev. Father Stepan said, “Alexei it looks like you have found a scrappy companion.”
Alexei replied, “Yes, it has been comforting having him around. Father Stepan, have you heard anything from my father or Father Alexander? How are things at the front? Did my grandfather and the rest of my Village arrive safely at the refugee center in Kuybyshev?”
Father Stepan said, “Enough questions! I will answer you on the way to the cargo docks. We need to hurry and find out if the freighter you are leaving on is still there. Say your goodbyes and let’s be off.”
Alexei thanked everyone for their help and for Lev, his new companion. As he and Father Stepan headed to the docks, they shouted their goodbyes.
On arriving, and over the noise on the cargo docks, Father Stepan, shouted to one of the loading supervisors, “Where can I find the harbormaster?”
After learning what they needed, he and Alexei headed for a small building at the end of the dock. On the way, Father Stepan told Alexei that the freighter Extavia was not in port, and no one has apparently seen it. On locating the harbormaster, they learned that the word had come indirectly that the Extavia struck a mine on the first of August when it left Guadalcanal. The ship was too damaged to continue. Father Stepan said, “Let’s head back to the church so we can decide what to do next.”
* * *
In the meantime, Pamela Potan landed at the Krasnoyarsk airfield. Early the next morning, she provided direction on the changes and new features in the ‘J’ version of the B-25 to the Russian engineers and test pilots. After several days of orientation and familiarization flights, the Russian test pilots and engineers began their test flights. Several days later, they provided the necessary feedback.
Pamela and her crew received their meals while quartered in separate barracks. Other than the engineers and test pilots, there was no other contact with personnel on the base. Being isolated led to a strong desire by the crew to head home. The Russian Airforce provided them a beat-up B-25D to be taken back and junked. Pamela’s team gave it a thorough checkout and determined that the plane was sufficiently airworthy. All, they would need to do, was to head it in the right direction at a somewhat reduced speed.
The next morning, after fueling the plane and having the necessary paperwork signed and delivered to Pamela, they took off for Vladivostok where they will refuel and layover for a flight to Ladd Field near Fairbanks.
* * *
Shortly after arriving at the church, Father Stepan found a room for Alexei and Lev to settle in. Father Stepan said, “As soon as I take care of a couple of church matters I will start trying to find an alternative way to get you to Alaska.”
When Father Stepan stepped into his office and was about to sit down, his phone rang. It was his niece Pamela Potan. Pamela said, “Uncle Stepan, you will never guess where I am? I just landed at the airfield in Vladivostok. We are refueling and will be staying over. We will not be leaving for Fairbanks until tomorrow morning.”
Father Stepan said, “What? How?”
“It’s a long story. Could we get some dinner and I’ll fill you in.”
“I will meet you at the airfield. There is a commissary there where we can get something to eat.”
Before he left the church, Father Stepan asked one of the other priests to look after Alexei and get him something to eat. He said, “Let him know that I will be back a little later in the evening.”
Over a somewhat sparse meal, Pamela told her uncle that she had delivered one of the lend-lease planes directly to Krasnoyarsk and was taking an old one back to the United States. Her Uncle told Pamela the story of Alexei and Lev and the need for them to get to Alaska. Pamela said, “I may be able to help, but why the dog?
Father Stepan said, “The dog saved Alexei’s life, and they are now inseparable. Since Alexei is alone, Lev is an excellent companion.”
Pamela said, “Good enough for me! The mission, I am on, is not ‘on the books’ so maybe I can sneak both of them on board when we leave tomorrow morning. It isn’t to Iliamna, but Fairbanks is not that far away.”
Later that evening, arriving back at the church, Father Stepan told Alexei that it may still be possible for him and Lev to get to Iliamna. Father Stepan filled Alexei in on the conversation with his niece and the possibility of flying to Alaska with her.
Alexei thanked Father Stepan and said, “Would it be possible for you to get the word to my grandfather, at a refugee settlement in Kuybyshev. Please let him know that I have reached Vladivostok, and all is well. Let him also know that I will be leaving for Alaska tomorrow morning.”
“Yes. I’ll do that for you.”
In the early morning hours, Father Stepan and Alexei arrived at the airfield. The guard at the gate let them through when Father Stepan told the guard that they had business with the resident Chaplain. Lev was on the floor behind the seat under a blanket. The gate opened, and they headed for the main terminal. Just before the main terminal they made a sharp right turn into the hanger where Pamela’s crew was waiting.
Father Stepan and Pamela made the introductions. On seeing Pamela, Alexei thought: She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen... sorry Tasha... not as beautiful as you though! Alexei and Lev were enthusiastically welcomed by the crew who were briefed last night by Pamela that Alexei and Lev would be joining them for the flight to Fairbanks. Pamela had one of the crew get him a flight uniform and a box that was just the right size in which to hide Lev. Just before boarding, Alexei said, “Father Stepan, thanks for everything you have done.”
“It has been my pleasure. Have a safe flight. Pamela is my niece. She is an excellent pilot and will make sure you both arrive safely.”
Carrying the box with Lev in it, Alexei, dressed in a flight uniform, and the rest of Pamela’s crew walked out and climbed aboard the B-25D parked on the flight line. After the ground and flight check, the engines were started. When they had finished the checklist, Pamela requested permission to taxi to the takeoff runway. Stopping just short of the takeoff area, Pamela asked and received permission to move into takeoff position. With the authorization granted, Pamela brought both engines to full power and took off, into what appeared to be, a clear morning sky.