Stop! Or My Granny Will Shoot!

This story and the next two differ from all previous stories about Grandma (great) Manya. Because in these stories, she wasn't yet a great-grandmother, and she wasn't even a grandmother. However, the awl in a specific place was already pricking her mercilessly.

According to my calculations, what I'll tell you about happened in the first half of 1944. I think so because the German Messerschmitt aircraft began to be mass-produced in 1944, but in October of the same year, the fascists were already kicked out of Ukraine. This story isn't drastically outstanding, but the character of my great-grandmother is demonstrated vividly in it.

Back then, Manya worked at the post office and was no less than a train manager. She was responsible for the transportation of mail by rail. And she also was responsible for everyone who took part in this process.

And then, one day, during the next flight of the post train, one of her assistants ran up to Manya and reported a German plane was circling over them. It circles, however, and does nothing. As it turned out later, it was a Messerschmitt reconnaissance aircraft. The pilot had completely different goals and objectives than assaulting the mail train. That is, he met Manya by chance and had no intention of attacking her and the property entrusted to her. However, she had her thoughts on this matter.

Manya leaned out of the vestibule and began firing at full speed at the enemy object from her service weapon. I've no idea what it was: a pistol, a revolver. But, I think it was something short-barreled and, as you understand, entirely useless for such purposes. Besides, I suspect Manya wasn't a brilliant shooter. Nevertheless, this was her finest hour.

I suppose the pilot was significantly surprised by this behaviour but quickly pulled himself together and returned fire. Even though the Messerschmitt was a reconnaissance aircraft, two of its four guns weren't dismantled. I believe he wanted to scare Manya and not hit the train because wasting shells on a target that doesn't fit into the primary mission is also pretty stupid.

The summary is simple. Manya took the initiative and was proud of herself despite the reprimand she received from management. The German pilot escaped with a slight fright. Manya's subordinates escaped with a great fright. No one was hit, and there were no casualties.

When I asked my Grandma (great) Manya years later if she thought it would have been safer to ignore the plane, she replied, "So, girl, you think I should have just watched it circle my train?"