Late orders redirected all flights to rendezvous at aerodrom #18 for a massed four squadron raid on bridges South of Trevise. Took off at 2100 per plan and headed west in company of medium bombers and four escorting scouts.

Mechical troubles forced RTB within 5 minutes of take-off. Serious engine problem resulted in 12 minute delay. Mission continued as planned. I chose to fly along at high speed and low altitude in hope of rejoining the flight near the target.

Low approach to bridge at c2.9 allowed easy pass with no AA. Dropped two bombs; one direct hit completely knocked out one span of the structure.

No sign of flight. One scout #2 picked us up and began escort back across lines. Singled intent to RTB at aerodrome #20. Scout was clearly having mechanical trouble; disappeared from view as he rushed base to nearest aerodrome. We decided to continue alone.

Refueled and rearmed at base #20 and attacked west. Some difficult in navigating resulted in this report of two hits on bridge at either c1.1 or c1.8. Recommend checking reparation demands of Italians following defeat to be sure. We set course for aerodrome #22, with intent to continue zigzag raid towards Trevise.

At base #22, Flik109g CO demanded that we surrender our UFAG CI and fly the rest of our mission in his squadrons. Fred. GIII. We were loathe to give up our CI, but orders are orders. He provided a mechanic to serve as nose gunner. Were we ever surprised to find out it was my cousin Theo! One cousin as pilot, another as gunner, and me! What a coincidence it was.

We could easily make Venice in This Fred. GIII, no fun to fly, but a real long range boxcar.

Incident Report

CO Hauptmann Karl Schneider, K.U.K

A pilot and observer landed late this afternoon for refueling and rearmament. During this action, The pilot, gunner, and one of my mechanics took possession of a Fred. GIII and flew away west. Later review of the day indicates that the mechanic had serviced, fueled and armed the heavy bomber. The cook also reports a large supply of sausage, cabbage, potatoes, and smoked pork is missing. A traveling camp nurse, Inga Nagel, who was being house with a local farmer, was seen near the GIII and is now missing.

I can only presume that these brave young heroes of the Empire have chosen to attack Trevise and Venice, as well as many other targets they can reach before their fuel is gone. With the nurse and food, I suggest their intent is to attack and attack until the tanks are dry and then set down behind enemy lines and hide until they can be returned to mother Austria. My eyes are filled with tears!

Spatz

I hope this report arrives safely. I am entrusting it to an Italian maid, the younger sister of one who has quickly become dear to me.

I met up with #11, 13, and 7 and took off on patrol following #11. We circled for a while waiting for other loyal Austrians to show but they did not. #11 led us west, then north, then west, then north. We soon lost #7 to engine failure. Number 11 also soon suffered from mechanical difficulties. Taking the lead I headed back towards base thinking we could get there before #11 fixed his plane and resumed flying. I was wrong. Once at base I decided to land and find out why die Eule kept firing intermittently when there were no apparent targets. It turns out he has a faulty trigger and had little control over his weapon. It's a sad day for the Empire when not even triggers work correctly. We were in good spirits, though, knowing that the war will soon be over, come what may. We took off determined to penetrate deep into enemy territory and see what mischief we could raise.

Just as we were leaving the area I spotted a bomber (#6) coming in to land. We circled while he rearmed (and a damn fast crew he had!) once he got into the air he quickly outstripped our antiquated Bergs and went on his merry way. We followed as best we could. Once we got into enemy territory we were met with a goodly amount of archie. In fact, it was exhilarating since I have seen so little action this war. I continued to follow die Eule (#16) as we headed deeper into enemy territory. Swiveling my head continuously I noticed a plane coming up behind me. A Hanriot! This had to be Royce (#16)--the same pilot I tangle with yesterday! We circle and turned, I kept trying to keep in close contact with die Eule. This time it was my turn to stall but Royce was preoccupied and did not get many bullets into me. I once again I tried to close the distance between die Eule and myself trailing Royce. Then I noticed that die Eule had landed! It was just the two of us now! We circled some more each trading shots with the other. Royce headed for a nearby drome and I followed. However, getting near the field I noticed that I was leaking oil and decided I did not want to face the nefarious Italian ground gunners. I knew that once my enemy landed they would open up on me without mercy. I cut my speed and headed back towards home with a prayer on my lips. Providence has apparently forsaken me as well as the Empire. My engine burst into flame not more than 1/2 mile from the enemy airfield. I quickly landed and extinguished the flames. A local Italian peasant invited me in for cold pasta, he has two comely daughters... peace won't be so bad... perhaps I'll stay here.

Feldwebel Kugelfang

Took off towards airdrome #18 per Heinrich Ahrens emphatic assertions there were changes to orders. I didn’t have time this evening to argue so off we went. We were within sight all the way there but when I landed no one was around.

I waited five minutes and took off for bridge at D3-7.

At bridge around 2127 and made several passes until out of bombs.

Returned to #18 at 2200 where I was relieved to see 12 and 13 circling.

Took off alone towards village at C2-1, made several passes until I ran out of bombs and returned to #18 at 2230.

As soon as I stopped rolling I was attacked so I exited and ran for the slit trenches.

Respectfully Yours,

Hemult Krauss