Sir:
Herr Hauptmann Enrich Uhlan died from his injuries in the field hospital at Sacile.
Enclosed are his personal effects and flying equipment. His flying journal has this entry for his last day:

"3 July: Good weather today, clouds at or above 3k. Took off with Eule, Spatz, & Gräser to rendezvous with bombers at Monte Grappa aerodrome xxxxx). After briefing all pilots, combined flight took of to do the work. Despite flying at stall speed, flight trailed out over a kilometer or more. Unable to assign first bomber to task as I couldn't find him! Skipped to depot and signaled vonSchtupp to attack which he promptly did. Flew on the village beyond depot and sent Helmut in. Orbited between targets to access damage. vonSchtupp damaged the deport, but Helmut didn't seem to know what his target was. I recalled the flight and we headed east. As we neared the first village I sent Anhiem to attack it. While orbiting I sighted enemy aircraft, and positioned to intercept and signal the flight. Once it looked like 3 Spads, (4,5,7)a Hanriot, (14), and a Bristol Fighter! (#?) I ordered the bomber to RTB.

We fought them for some time, with little or no effect except to use up bullets. Eventually everyone just decided to go. I linked up with Spatz and Gräser and we headed for home. Drome in sight" Witnesses at Asiago Drome said Hauptmann Uhlan was chasing a Hanriot that was in company with a Spad. OLt Spatz was also engaged. After following the Hanriot through several maneuvers, the Italian stalled in front of Herr Uhlan and before Uhlan could roll out the planes struck. Both were somewhat damaged, but the strike pushed the Hanriot out of it's stall and stalled Uhlan's Berg fighter. The plane fell, the Hauptmann visibly struggling to regain control, but it struck the ground upside-down and the fuel tank exploded.

The men on the ground quickly got him from the wreck, but he was too badly injured and they could do very little for him. He succumbed 3 hours later, never regaining consciousness.

Hauptmann Friederick Grösser
Anti-Aircraft Commander
Asigo Aerodrome

Re-assigned to the rear to evaluate and conduct testing on captured allied aircraft. Hopefully to bring new knowledge back to the pilots of the front lines in a few weeks.

On Leave.

Status: KIA

Claims: Collided with Ea. #19 over aero #14 2235 hrs. Both a/c destroyed.

Engaged #5.#7 in area c2-1. Damaged #5.

Flew hi cover with #1 from aero xxxxxx. Contacted Spads #5 #7 at 1910 in area c2-4 in company with #1,#12. Damaged ea #5,fired on #7, no damage noted. Receive damage from #5. Proceeded SE and landed at aero xxxxxx as briefed for fuel and repairs. No one else there. While waiting for repairs to be completed was strafed by Ea #19. Noted he was commencing another run at me, Got mad, so I took off and met him head on, both of us firing, a collision ensued with both a/c crashing.

Score claims: Damaged bridge at C3-7 with VonSchtupp

I spent some time settling in to my new responsibilities of command which caused me to be later than I’d like getting to the flight line, but there waiting, was the ever punctual vonShctupp. We scanned the field for Hienrich as he was not in his plane yet.

At 2100 I gave the order to take off hoping Heinrich would catch up with us at the rendezvous airdrome and that he wasn’t in any trouble.

I immediately had to return to base with flight control problems. This is the second time that I’ve thoroughly checked all adjustments and had difficulty during take off. I must talk to my crew chief and adjust the preflight checklist to catch this problem before taking off.

It didn’t take long to solve the problem and I was airborne again. I spotted vonSchtupp well on his way. This pleased me because I didn’t want the combined flight to have to wait for us.

After I landed, we waited perhaps 5-minutes when the rest of the flight arrived, with Heinrich. Thank goodness he was safe.

Herr Hauptmann relayed his orders for the mission promptly and we took off in unison. Quite a lovely sight behind the escorts seeing everyone around me, droning along towards the enemy. It was the last time that I saw Stephen, my new gunner, smiling.

After the long flight we arrived over the target area and Uhlan sent me in towards the first target. It took me awhile to find it because he was much further ahead of me. After he finally got me going in the right direction. I lined up for my first of four passes on a depot in which all of my bombs missed their mark. On my third pass while watching my beauties go of the mark, again, I notice a two-seater pass underneath me. Couldn’t be sure who it was through all the dust my bombs were creating. My last pass I noticed damage to buildings but I take no credit.

At this point Oberleutnant Pendragon caught my attention from target fixation and had me rejoin the flight.

While forming up, the sky went black I had to return to home base.

I took off immediately and arrived at the rendezvous airdrome at 2220 amongst Sebastian, VonSchtupp and #18. Shortly after landing, sirens and AA started sounding off and #18, (who was that masked man), went up to investigate. While he kept our intruder busy I took Sebastian and VonSchtupp on another sortie.

Once over the this new area I heard explosions near by. Perhaps this was Sebastian but I’m not sure. VonSchtupp and I made several passes on a bridge and were successful in damaging the target.

On our way back to base, the sky went black in front of me again… I had to return to home base.

I took off immediately for the rendezvous airdrome arriving at 2301, where I made a very rough landing. I crawled away ashamed but not hurt. I’m afraid however the landing rattled Stephen pretty badly. I heard him say something that sounded like "herr wing tip" when he crawled out of the wreck, but can’t be sure.

Respectfully Yours,

Helmut Boehem, Leutnant, Flik_105g

Claims: Village in c2-4, village in c3-7

Witnessed: Depot in c2-4 by Von Scthupp (#8), Bridge in c3-7 by Von Schtupp (#8)

Another beautiful day for bombing. I strode out to the xxxx with Theo in tow (his swaying leads me to believe that smell on him was not a new type of gun oil). We climbed in our plane as usual and began our checks. Once again, no other Flik24 member could make it. Luckily Iwas ordered to another group bombing run, so I wouldn't have to go it alone.

We lifted off smoothly and turned south to the staging base. They skies were bright blue, with some cloud cover, but generally very envigorating. Theo, as usual, was scanning about for any signs of other aircraft, though I didn't see a need to worry...yet. We had a long day ahead and I was going to enjoy the nice calm time as much I could.

The approach to base xxxx was easy and I spotted one bomber already waiting on the field. As I put the plane down and rolled closer I saw it was Von Schtupp and Johann! I was happy to see they made it. We exited our plane and chit chatted when Helmut landed. He had made Leutnant! I saluted and congratulated my old wingmate, with the proper respect due an offizier. He threated to mash in my head if I continued. We laughed as one by one the rest of the scheduled aircraft made it.

Herr Hauptmann Uhlan sat about to issueing the orders of the day. We were to sortie out and bomb targets across the lines from us. Trying something new, he present colored flags that he would carry. Each color was to represent one of us. When that bomber was to attack, Uhlan would hold the flag up high from his cockpit. Quite ingenius, I thought.

At his command, we cranked up our engines and lifted off. Circling the base to form up, I put myself into a good position to keep sight on Herr Uhlan's Avi. Sticking close to him had gotten me home safe last time, and I thought now was not a good time to change something that works. Once assembled, we crossed the lines and headed for our targets.

The flight was completely quiet. Too quiet actually. Theo swung about erratically, even glaring out our own escorts. I really think the man is gonna crack soon. As for me, I kept my eyes rivets on the leader, remembering how I missed some of his signals last time and not wanting to make the same mistake twice. Our other escorts were zipping around, climbing and dropping, keeping good sentinel over the sky around us. I felt confident with so many bombers and scouts that we would soon do some harm to the evil Entente.

Distant puffs of smoke warned me of our nearing the targets. I watched intently, wondering when my flag would appear. Below a staging area came into view and Herr Hauptmann put up a yellow flag. This target belonged to Heinrich. He peeled off with a couple escorts and the rest of us pushed on. Next to come into view was a supply depot. Again, I tensed up waiting for the command, but this time a green flag rose. Von Schtupp broke formation as he readied for the attack. And just behind this was yet another staging area. This one was surely mine, but to my surprise the red flag shone brightly in the afternoon sun. Herr Helmut had the honors this time.

A bit distraught, I kept my position behind the Hauptmann and gazed about looking for the progress of my bombing comrades. As we backtracked over the xxxxt, I could see that Von Schtupp had done some serious damage to it, with several structures ablaze and one collapsing. However, as we got near the first staging area, it appeared untouched. We would later learn that Heinrich developed engine trouble during his first run and barely made it back to base. The Hauptmann turned back around and we took station as Lt Helmut and Von Schtupp finished unloading their wares.

Deviating from the scheduled course, we returned yet again to the first staging area. Now the blue flag I had been looking for rose from the Avi. I broke hard right, intent on making a sighting run on the area before beginning my bombing. Gazing down I saw no signs of life, as the troops there surely had sought cover after the aborted bombing run by Heinrich. None the less, there was still equipment there and I could think of nothing better to do at the moment than to blast them to Gott und Himmel.

I swang around after getting enough distance to properly line up. I was amazed that I actually got a good line up on the first try. I counted and waited as the target became clearer and clearer. Staging areas are small, and I wondered just how far off my first drop would be. As I hit the point of drop, I let go one bomb, making sure to mentally mark where she would land to adjust for my next run.

I'm not sure just how, but my package must have hit some fuel tankers or ammo boxes or something of that nature. The entire staging area went up in one huge ball of glorious flame. The plane buffeted as Theo jumped up and down in his pit, laughing no less. It was a hell of a shot, and I wondered who, if anybody, saw it.

Feeling like a proud pup, I scanned the skies for the Hauptmann, eager to report my success to him. It took a few moments, but I did spot his plane...IN A CLIMB WITH GUNS BLAZING! It took me a few moments to figure out what he was doing. Herr Hauptmann was known for using his guns to signal, but not at such an odd angle.

When I got close enough, I saw one of the other scout relay the recall order to us. I veered away hard, hoping that it was not the dreaded spads that they were shooting at. Theo was spinning like a top now, pointing that damn gun of his at everyone and everything. I craned around, spotting Von Schtupp ahead of me, but no sign of Herr Helmut.

Von Schtupp was ahead of me, but heading in the wrong way. I fired a flare to get his attention, and when he turned his head I pointed the direction we needed to go. Together we leveled our planes and hoped we could get enough speed to escape the area before being sighted. As we raced across the mud I noticed alb #18 running low and behind us. I felt better knowing he was there, but had no time to signal to him. I was fully focused on getting back to our side of the line.

Our planes shot across the trenches, the PBIs below waving to us with what zeal they could muster. As the green grass replaced the land of decay we breated a bit easier. We weren't safe yet, but the odds were definitely improving. We turned south to reach the second staging base and let the planes go as fast as they could.

Von Schtupp and I landed about the same time, with #18 coming in shortly behind us. We barked orders to the ground crewmen to reload and refuel us in a hurry. Our orders called for a second sortie and time was a resource we didn't have an abundance of. It was then that we noticed Helmut pulling his plane around the field. Apparently he beat us back here, though I am unsure how.

Once restocked, the four of us sat there awaiting the return of the others. The groundcrew said they had seen no sign of Herr Heinrich...a statement that gave us all an uneasy feeling. Time was ticking away and not one plane. Suddenly, the sirens began to sound and gunners ran to their posts. We ran for the slit trenches cursing. If our planes got strafed, the day's mission would fail horribly! Grabbing some binoculars, I could make out an allied plane above us, though I could not make out markings or type. The gunners lobbed shells into the sky, but as usual they were way off the mark. Apparently frustrated, and in an act of bravery, the scout pilot (Die Eule I believe..could not tell for the goggles) ran back out to his alb and fired her up. We cheered him on as he took to the sky to meet the Entente thug above us. He circled the base, climbing to reach the cowardly vulture who sat over the base waiting, it seemed, for one of us to try and take off.

Evidently the allied pilot had no stomach for a fight as he left the area before the alb could reach him. Seeing our window open, the six of us ran back to our planes and got ready to fly again. Time was nearing critical and we could not wait for our escorts or lost bomber. We said a prayer for their safety and took to the air.

Leutnant Helmut took lead as we again crossed over to the allied side. We were alone, the three bombers, as our scout must have kept in pursuit of the allied stalker. It didn't matter. Our blood was rushing and we thought only of the job ahead. Thankfully it was a short flight, so we would not be too pressed and could take our time over the targets.

The bridge marked for destruction came into view ahead. Lt Helmut and Von Schtupp banked around to line up on it. I broke north, to a staging area that intelligence had reported just a short distance from the bridge. I heard the first load of bombs whistling down from my comrades planes as I made ready for the attack on the staging point. Sirens blew at my approach. As before I made a sighting pass to get a feel for my target. Below I could see the Italians scrambling for cover. They had no idea we where coming! This nut would be harder to crack I thought as I surveyed the layout. She was nestled against a small rise which would lessen the effect of my bombs if I didn't place them right.

Turning 180, I lined up for my first pass. The winds had kicked up now, as they usually do this time of day. As a result, my first drop was off target, hitting nothing more than a small field where some of the infantry had sought cover. No damage to the staging area, but at least there would be a couple less men with rifles firing at our brave austrian warriors in the nearby trenches. I made another pass, this one closer but still not on the mark. A third still netted me nichts! I was frustrated by now. It was beginning to look like all my bombing luck had be burned up with that northern target! I was yelling now, drowning out my own engine as my fourth pass hit next to, but not quite on, my intended. I smashed my hand on the instrument panel. "This time or I'm landing and burning it down with my own bare hands", I told myself. I was thankfully saved from having to fulfill that rather foolish statement when my fifth bomb drop found its mark.

Satisfied, I returned to the bridge. On Schlepp was still making passes on it and it looked in pretty bad shape. I saw no sign of my old friend Helmet (I would later learn he had technical problems and had to return for repairs early after I left them to their job). I circled while On made a couple more passes. I grew concerned at the amount of time we had spent here, now down to just two of us and so near where some of the allies were suspected to be based. I waved to On Schlepp and signaled a return to base. He waved back, but almost spitefully gave the bridge one last punch in the nose before taking my wing.

Wanting to get home fast and avoid high patrols, I led us down into a shallow dive. Our alt slowly bled away as our speed picked up. Within seeming moments we were crossing the trenches. Some of the Italians took pot shots at us, and I thought about giving them what was left of my ordinance, but my desire to get the hell out of there overrode my anger towards them. Another day perhaps but not today.

We were just crossing our trenches when I spotted a friendly plane high and off to our roc. I turned to investigate and saw On Schlepp following. I waved back for him to return to base without me. If I was wrong, or if there was a patrol around, there was no need for us both to go down. The reported that the plane ahead was indeed one of ours, by the colors, but couldn't make out whom. I guessed that it was Helmet, trying to get back to the targets. I fired off some flares, but either he didn't see them or didn't want to risk turning around. I wasn't gaining any ground on the plane, and found myself running back towards the Italian line. It was a tough choice, but I had to think of the plane and Theo. I silent wished my unknown ally good luck and turned back.

On Schlepp greeted me as I landed. We were all happy that we made it, and yet there was a deep sinking melancholy as the base reported that none of our earlier escorts had arrived here. And to top it off, I was worried that the other plane we crossed, if it was Helmet, wouldn't come home either.

We sat by the planes, saying very little and just watching the sky. Near nightfall, a yellow plane appeared over the hill heading for the base. Was it Helmet? Or Heinrich? I watched eagerly and let out a burst of joyous bellowing as the familiar face of Her Helmet shone with a bright smile. He leapt from his plane and told us that he hit the bridge, furthering the already extensive damage that On Schlepp had done to it. It would be some time before the Entente legions could make it to the trenches with dry feet, I'm happy to say.

As night began to stretch her dark blanket over the sky, we all retreated to the Operations room. It was a morbid ritual that we had adopted, but there was more comfort in hearing bad news than in just wondering what had happened. The reports were coming in, and our hearts sank when the loss of Heinrich, Lot Pen dragon, and the Hauptmann himself came over the wires. We stood there, staring at our feet. They sacrificed themselves to keep us safe. Without words, we swore then and there to make their sacrifice a meaningful one....

Took off with Ulan, Eule and Grasser and flew to rendezvous point. Attended briefing and took off with Grasser to fly high cover for the flight. Reached target and began circling above for what seemed like days. I didn't know what the hell was going on down there or what was taking so long. Suddenly I saw tracers below. Our dallying to long at the target had attracted me fighters. 4 or 5 of them. I dove down and engaged the highest of them. I wanted to keep as much altitude as possible in case more showed up from above. I put a bunch of bullets into one Hornet and a spade and made a few passes at others. After a bit most of them flew off. Ulan, Grasser and I headed back toward NIL after chasing off the last spade. We encountered another on our way there but he avoided us. We headed for the nearest base rather than the scheduled meeting point cause we new we where low on ammo. Sirens began going off as I was of final. Just as my plane rolled to a stop the AA batteries began firing. I slammed my throttle forward and let into the air. Two me scouts engaged us from above. One Hanriot and one spad. I cleared the Hanriot off of Uhlan's 6 and went after the spad. I heard a terrible noise and Uhlans plane was down. Uh oh. I went after the Hanriot determined to even the odds as quickly as I could. After one good long burst his wings began to shred and come apart. I left him for dead and turned my attention to the spad. He was headed my way on an attack run. I spun my plane around and let him fly through my bullets as he made his pass. As he zoomed away I noticed to my amazement that the Hanriot was still flying. I started to fly over and kill this brazen pizza eater but thought better of it when I noticed the spad pilot lying in wait for me. (His trap baited with this easy kill). I spiral climbed, keeping my eye on the spad driver in case he wanted to reengage but he flew home along with his crippled mate.

Spatz

Escorted bombers to xxxxxx then got engaged in a confusing dogfight with many opponents. Frustrated by hit and run tactics I chased an italian to his aero and forced him to land with busted wings (enemy #14). Then a enemy twoseater (#17) took off and I flamed him(he did manage to land the plane before burning up.

I then made for my lines, I was jumped over the front by two spads and enemy #4 shot me dead.

1 Kill 1 Death.

My name is Hans Josef BeirGarten. I was happy to have come from Fliegerkompagnie 111j, a reserve unit that has been training in the rear as replacements to front line pilots. I arrived at HQ, and I nearly fainted. The commander looked almost just like me. I saw the tear swell in his eyes, as he began to tell me about his twin brother who was just killed over the front lines one week ago. It seemed as if I could be a brother, we looked so much the same. Not only that, but I started to feel the sadness myself. We spoke for some time, and then he gave me my orders. I was assigned to Flik 61j, the last assignment of a pilot called Die Eule. As I left the Headquarters building I was called back. The commander gave me a patch. The patch of an Owl. I was told to wear the patch on my pilots uniform in plain view, and to call myself Die Eule. I am very honored, and I will avenge the death of what seems to be a good man.

Upon arriving at Flik 61j the CO almost passed out. Everyone is mistaking me for Die Eule. He must have been a legend. Then I thought this may be good for me. The enemy may think I am a flying ghost, giving me the edge in the air to pierce them with my flaming bullets. A sight I would love to see, as they spiral to the hard earth in a flaming ball of fire.

21:00, I got my plane an Alb DIII. And we took off for base xxxxxx. I stayed close to my commander.

21:15, landed at xxxxxx and refueled.

21:20, I counted xx combined bombers and fighters on the ground. The most I had ever seen to run a mission at one time. We all took off for our flight to xxxxxx.

21:45, encountered flak for the first time. No amount of training can prepare you for this. I was scared witless but I focused and stayed with my wingman. I noticed the Owl patch on my sleeve, and for a little while everything seemed to be better.

22:05, I saw my first enemy aircraft. He had a big #15 painted on the side of the plane. I went after him to protect the bombers we had below. He turned and it allowed me the time to ease in behind him. I may have been a little out of range but I fired anyway. I saw the puff of black smoke telling me my aim was true. He dodged and I matched his every move. It seemed I could do no wrong and my Alb was part an extension of my body. I came into place again, and fired a second burst. I could not tell if that hit its mark, although I hoped as much.

22:10, As I lined up for a third shot, I heard gunfire. Several rounds then hit my aircraft. Nothing critical was hit. I turned an looked over my shoulder, enemy right on my six a hundred feet away. Shots ran out again, and I put all my training into effect. I spun around stomped the rudder, pulled the throttle and stalled the plane in one fast maneuver. The Alb quickly went into a spin, I watched nothing but my altimeter. The enemy behind me must have thought I was dead, 1500 meters..1000 meters 500 meters stomping on the right rudder I stopped spinning. I hit the throttle to the max, eased the stick back and felt what I thought were the wheels touching the tree tops. I looked around, and noticed I was not followed. Then I saw 2 of our bombers 500 meters above me and to my right. I knew that they would go to the rendezvous point, and I could see they had no escorts. I decided to follow them should they require assistance.

22:18, Landed at rendezvous point right behind two of our bombers. While we sat on the ground refueling air raid sirens went off. I had to wait five minutes, so I did. I saw a plane with the number 19 painted on it. He dropped a bomb that nearly hit me. I could see the bomb falling from the sky. I ran like hell for the safety of the slit trenches, all the while the mechanic stayed with the plane re-fueling canister in hand.

22:25, I praised the mechanic for his courageous efforts, and now it was time for my own. In the trenches I heard the bomber pilots say that they could not risk losing their aircraft on the ground. I agree. If I could engage the enemy above, the bombers could slip away to safety. I decided to go for it. I took off after the scum that tried to take our lives. I chased him for several minutes. I did not have the power to overtake him or to get within range of my guns. I tried on several occasions to close the gap but failed every time.

22:30, I landed at xxxxxx and the bombers were gone. They made it. I though I would try to catch them at the next base. I was wrong. The CO, Helmut I think, is very brave. I later found out that he decided to take the bombers on another run into enemy territory. I here that it was a success as he managed to damage another target. I am glad I was able to distract the enemy long enough to get them off. I am sorry I did not enjoy the sweet taste of victory myself.

Hans Josef (Die Eule) BeirGarten

-AWOL-

Claims - Saw #17 destroy two villages, one at xxxx and one at xxxx I claim one depot at xxxx and I split the bridge at xxxx with #15.

I heard about the last minute changes to our orders changing our rendezvous just before jumping into my crate. I checked with Helmut, my new CO, and waited a few minutes to see if any of the other flik105 pilots were going to show, but it was just Lt. Helmut and me and our faithful gunners. Helmut ordered us to takeoff and head to the rendezvous, but had some mechanical problems, so I flew the short hop solo, and waited for Helmut and any members of flik24 to arrive. Shortly after landing, Sebastian and Helmut arrived, and after them, Heinrich and the scout escorts showed up, covering the field with our aircraft. Looking at the fomidable force we had assembled, I grinned thinking about our orders for the evening, turning us loose on the enemies supply and tranport system.

After a briefing from the overall commander in the field, we took off and flew to the first set of targets for the evening. As we approached the targets, Uhlan ordered our bombers to peel off and attack idividual targets in the area. I saw Sebastian attack a village and destroy it in one pass, where-as it took me many passes before I was confident that my target (a depot) was heavily damaged. As we were forming up after our attacks, I saw an nme scout being engaged by our high cover scouts, so I formed up with Sebastian and headed back to base.

Back at base, we waited for our scouts for a while, as only one had returned with Sebastian, Helmut and I to base. We had one bomb dropped on us by a high flying enemy, and when another approached the field, our scout took off to engage, although I think the enemy scout turned tail and ran before our scout could catch him. Helmut ordered us to take to the air again, having been refueled and loaded with bombs, to attack another vital tranportation center, this time without escort.

Our trip to the target area was uneventful, and again Sebastian showed his incredible accuracy by utterly destroying another key village, while Helmut and I teamed up to heavily damage a bridge nearby. Our trip back to base was again uneventful. We landed and slappped each other on the backs, exhausted but happy to have done so much damage to the enemy and survive to tell about it. Our joy at having cheated death was quickly extinguished when we heard of the loss of several of our most feared scout aces, and of the death of one of our own, Heinrich Ahren, shot down while trying to catch up to our group after having mechanical problems with his aircraft.

Status KIA

Plane Status Destroyed

Bruno lifted off for a perfect start to our multi-plane bombing raid. Bruno’s usual calm, quiet competence had returned. He tucked us up nicely into the formation and we held our position as we flew straight and high towards our target. It was a good day for flying and the sight of our aerial armada was breathtaking.

Uhlan had made only one comment on our performance last mission; Bruno was both relieved and grateful. The Hauptmann’s orders of battle were much clearer this time. [A yellow flag meant our turn] to attack.

With great regret I must report that, no sooner had we sighted the target then our engine blew up, splattering lubricant over Bruno and I. We fought to clean our goggles, and Bruno put our greasy glider into a long quiet ramp back to a field west of our base. A truck came out to tow number 7 into a hanger. It took a long time for the ground crew clean up the mess. We found that we had only broken an oil pump and that we could be airborne in about 30 minutes.

We would be justified in sitting at base, but I am weary of interrupted raids and the mundane reporting that results. Bruno and I deserve some patriotic glory once in a while. I will take us up as soon number 7 is ready. We will head for the last target on list and hope to meet the formation over Italian territory.

Note from Albert Hagel, chief, ground crew XXX at base XXX:

Feldwebel Ahrens and his pilot Bruno took off despite air raid sirens. Such a brave crew they were. Or foolish. No sooner had the turned west than we watched a silver white Italian scout drop on them from an almost a vertical dive. Ahrens never saw him coming. The Italian did not drop number 7 on that pass. But once he was on Ahren’s tail, the devil was firing almost continuously. We thought they might make it. But they never pulled out of the long and shallow dive towards the field.

There was little damage to the plane. But Feldwebel Ahrens had been shot through the heart and chest three times. His pilot died in the crash.

On leave