There was now quiet by us. Indeed I was still on my guard and still reckoned with some more attacks; however, the Welschen had had enough for this day. Their Artillerie was also silent by our position. Nevertheless I remained at my post for several more hours and then went, the sun having meanwhile set, back down to the Oberleutnant, in order to report the day's events to him. He gave me, as he was very fond of me on account of my guitar playing, a glass of very fine Schnapps, which comforted my throat's drought for "drinking" in an entirely suitable way. Then he sent me to the Battaillons Kommandanten with a report. I ran into the acting Oberjäger along the way. I was to be most pleased by what came from his mouth, as he ordered me to assemble the men of the 4^th Kompagnie, for we were to now again come into the reserve for the night. Imagine for yourselves the effect this angelic tiding had upon me. I was physically and mentally drained, exhausted and debilitated, crazed by thirst and hunger, and generally suffered from all that only a human being could possibly endure. But I again became entirely well with the order from the Oberjäger. I therefore, having again reached our position, summoned down all the men of the 4^th Kompagnie. The front line duty was then taken over by the Zug of the 1^st Kompagnie, that had come as reinforcements. I assembled the men below. I was barely able to bring together one Zug from the entire 4^th Kompanie. I had furthermore experienced, at this place, the deaths of many, many dear Kameraden along with the entire Unteroffiziere of the Kompagnie, with the exception of the acting Oberjäger and myself. The Kadett had caught a stone fragment in his thigh and lay slightly injured and at peace with his fate by the entrance of one of the previously described tunnels.

We all allowed ourselves to be taken into this mess and likewise fell immediately into a drained and exhausted half slumber. All at once I heard my name. I was already wanting to instinctively shout "here" --however it suddenly occurred to me that my tired bones and I would perhaps again have to carry out an order. I therefore pulled my damp Zeltblatt ovr my head and positioned myself as if I were asleep in the hope that no one would find me through the enormous confusion in this nearly dark tunnel. Unfortunately as someone called a second time for me, a real blockhead next to me shouted: "Here he is" and "Wake up." I indignantly snarled and cursed and asked just for what in the devil they would already again be wanting of me and my ill treated joints. While in the meantime the Oberjäger announced to me that the Hauptmann had ordered that I should go and fetch our Pioniere and the men detached thereto, who had been trained for explosives, from Gabrje Gornje. It was nine o'clock in the evening. I slandered heaven, earth, and hell for this order, which I had just received. Naturally it didn't help. Likewise of course I hadn't cursed so as to thereby alter the order, but on the contrary, merely so as to vent my anger a little. Ouch, Damn! My joints! It seemed to me like they had been rusted for a long time. I handed my Rucksack to the dumb devil next to me, wagering and damning all the while. At last the Oberjäger recommended that I shut up and I then took up my rifle and ammunition pouches and set myself into motion with a sigh. It was again pouring horribly outside with all abundance and satisfaction. Gabrje Gorje lay about two hours into the Wippach Valley. The road within this valley could become constrained by the Welschen through shellfire any time day or night. It was ver this path that our poor, poor medical personnel now had to make their way with all the wounded men who were incapable of marching themselves. However, they were only permitted to go by this road at night. Thus four hours were consumed with the transporting back of the injured. Now, naturally, the most badly had to stay behind and were thusly doomed to die at the first Field Dressing Station. There was absolutely no possibility of saving the poor devils. Certainly therefore, anyone who felt yet the slightest bit of strength in himself now marched-on hauling themselves to the Aid Station with their last ounce of determination. The entire length of the road was full of groups of tired figures dragging themselves forward. The night was really raven black.

From across the Isonzo, two Italian search lights made themselves a serious item for the entire night, with their dazzling light beams constantly hitting the fog and clouds, thereby causing a very subdued reflection of light to then come back down to earth. Therefore, was now able to see the groups of wounded as they dragged themselves along this shell-ravaged road. There were many who were sighing and moaning as well as many who were as pleased as punch since they were only lightly wounded and had now overcome this "witches' abbot." I couldn't take the time to linger with the various acquaintances that I met from my Bataillon, but on the contrary, I marched straight on like a good soldier, despite the fact that it made my head spin. Behind the village of Rubia this otherwise good road became very narrow as it squeezed itself through a thicket of all types of bushes. This village was bombarded day and night by the Welschen shells. But despite this, all types of military requirements, such as boards, water, sand bags, splints and other such things needed at the front, were not to be obstructed from being brought during the night from the main supply station to this village, from where they could then be hauled into the front lines by the men themselves. I realized even at the time that I was passing through this village that a Hungarian supply column consisting of about a dozen wagons was just starting to make its way back to the main supply station, having just brought up boards and some other things required for the construction of a defensive shelter. I overtook the entire column behind Rubia at the point in the road which I just mentioned as being hemmed in by a thicket. The horse drawn carts took up the entire width of the road so that I had a hard time pressing past this column in the dimness, as it slowly wormed its way through.