Ken Charney, an Argentine hero 
Ken Charney in his Spitfire
An ace among aces
Wings of Thunder tells the story of a 600 Argentine volunteers fought in the RAF against the Nazis. Here is an excerpt from chapter Quilmes a decorated aviator who fought with the famous as Pierre Closterman.
Ken Charney was born on February 28, 1920 in Quilmes, a few days later the family moved to Bay White, remaining there until age 12. His father, Harry Charney, who served as manager of the Anglo-Mexican Petroleum Co., had volunteered Argentina during the First World War with the rank of lieutenant, owing to its high value was awarded the Military Cross. After the war he returned to his work in Argentina in his former position as the oil industry.
With the arrival of Ken's little problems with it were steadily rising. Very naughty, indomitable spirit and a stubbornness that had no limits, so far as to steal his car at his father end up in the local police for speeding His 12 years.
For the occupation of his father, who provided fuel to the Aeroposta Argentina, a company that had started its commercial airline to Comodoro Rivadavia from the aerodrome of Villa Harding Green, Ken had the great opportunity to meet Fabulous world's first airline to the remote Patagonia, and despite his young age, alternating with the great French pilots Jean Mermoz, Paul Vachet, Antoine de Saint Exupéry and with the Argentine Sunday Irigoyen, Prospero Palazzo, Richard Gross and Rufino Luro Cambaceres special. These experiences profoundly impact on the child's mind, no longer think of nothing but becoming a pilot. By coincidence, the family Charney and Saint Exupéry lived in the South American hotel and Ken had personal contact with Antoine and knew the custom of young French rider to drafts that eventually would be bestsellers as Night Flight.
Nobody could imagine that both would go into combat in World War II defending the same cause. (...)
were running late thirties and Ken was very excited by speed, driving cars dangerously. At that time, his father was general manager and Shell and lived in Hurlingham. Ken brought the war rather than the defense of an ideal chance to try to maximize their personal lifestyle. He left with the second contingent of volunteers on the boat taking 22 years Highland Monarch.
When enlisted in the RAF under the rank number 112709, the terms of said pilot immediately. His instructors saw him as a potential fighter pilot and his friends, the cheerful young female hearts smitten the first encounter because of their dizzying life. However, his heart was occupied by a young American who lived in the city of Rosario de Jean. Several of his planes were called in this way in honor of the young.
Ken was trained in Britain, earning his wings in April 1941. With the rank of sergeant pilot operated for fourteen months as a fighter pilot in 91 Squadron, taking part in sweeps and other operations. He was commissioned in late 1941, and in May the following year went to Malta, taking the recommendation of Air Vice Marshall commander of the Southeast, on its potential as a flight leader. (...)
* * *
The February 5, 1943, Ken received great news: Win the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) because of their courage and skill to lead his squad during the Battle of Malta. The news of this distinction out in the newspapers of Buenos Aires. However, Ken's mentality has changed, the recent loss of pilots in his squadron mates Argentina and make a dent in your spirit and makes one more automaton young and sad.
Ken
hear from its next destination, in part a break, it will be sent to 53 OTU Spitfire fighter, which teach new pilots flight. Remind those as a demanding instructor. (But) Ken was getting tired of the monotony of training pilots and wanted to return to the heat of battle. After persistent requests and because of his stubbornness congenital give a pass to 602 Auxiliary Squadron City of Glasgow. Before his arrival the squadron was said of its demolition in Malta, everyone wanted to know. On arrival finds the environment it needs, the pilots seem a band of outlaws, which you really like Ken and again a happier person. Ken in this squad will meet a new friend, Pierre Clostermann. (...)
Perhaps one of the most unknown acts Ken Charney's courage was that the start of operations in the Falaise pocket, flying low found a large column of vehicles from the German Seventh Army. At 14.07 pm. gave his famous radio message brief but precise: "Send in the entire Air Force!".
Minutes later, the skies of Vimoutiers-Orbec-Lisieux machines were filled with Mustang, Spitfire, Typhoon. The slaughter had begun. Hours later came the report of the destruction of 165 tanks and armored vehicles.
ground troops sent a wire saying, "A Million of congratulations for the excellent work they are doing. "(...)
Ken joined 602 Squadron and was assigned to Squadron 132. The squad had MK IX Spitfire aircraft. (. ..) Ken increased his score to 132 Squadron, 13 July 1944, when a FW190 damaged 10 miles southwest of Cabourg, in that epic battle against a swarm of German fighters, managed to damage a Bf109 10 miles southwest of Lisieux.
* * *
The 132 is flying in the area of \u200b\u200bLisieux. The hot sun of the French skies shines with all its splendor. Ken is very attentive to the radar control is telling the presence of "bad guys" in the area of \u200b\u200bLisieux. The voice of Argentina is heard over the intercom: "Nine friends over the four and above."
Someone shouted over the radio: "They come to us." Then, Ken's able to see better, it was their old rivals the FW190. With a broad shift were dropped trying to attack from behind. Ken ordered split in twos. Immediately pushed the throttle firmly unleashing the engine, which shuddered. Been placed in the tail of a FW190, quickly went from 200 yards and prepared to fire. The German tried to disengage giving a violent change of direction, but Ken was able to settle back to the tail of Germany and pulled the trigger. The FW190 burst on high power disappeared in the midst of a blinding explosion. Only incandescent debris fell on the French countryside.
That day it was recognized that FW190. With this victory, was closing its score of combat, taking his final tally to 7 planes destroyed, 4 probable and 8 damaged.
* * *
(would remember) Pierre Closterman:.
"came the armistice, as a door closes, eight days incomprehensible, an undefined mixture of joy and mourning.
" That evening the bar looked like a special evening funeral: the pilots were slumped on their chairs, no talking, no singing. Around 11 pm, Bay hit the radio. The BBC broadcast a report from the streets of London and Paris, where the boisterous crowd gave vent to their joy. All eyes turned towards the TV and in those eyes was a kind of hatred.
"It was so clear and it was so new to me, who, surprised, questioned Ken with his eyes. Then I heard a bang and a cascade of broken glass, someone had thrown a bottle through the air toward all this noise, to all those people who came to shamelessly impose its clinical relief and freedom.
"One by one the riders got up and canteen were silent no more than Ken , the indifferent bartender and me. TSF apparatus leaked a lamentable scream. I raised my eyes again to Ken. There was no need for words, we understood.
"Half an hour passed and then-I swear-I felt that they were there, all around us in the dark and smoke cigarettes as kids who have been unfairly punished and are sad. They were all those friends of ours who had left a beautiful morning with his Spitfire and Tempest and had not gone before. Well, Pierre, this is the end! You will not need more. We went to bed with Ken closing doors gently not wake up to the bartender, who was sleeping in his stool. All over. "
are the authors of Wings of Thunder Charles Meunier, Carlos A. Oscar García and Rimondi.
Source: The Nation
flew Firm / Wings of Thunder
