"April 10, 1943: Mission over the channel today, against shipping. Air was full of spitfires and P-38's. Never have I seen so many, and such persistence. We lost far too many escorting Messerschmitt's. We were harried and attacked without pause. It is not like the old days. When we returned, my hands were trembling. I am very tired. It is hard to write. What is the matter with me?"            - Hans Prenger

"April 12, 1943: So many old friends are gone! Today I saw Putzi Hesse go down in flames. So many are gone! So few of us old-timers left! How much longer can I last? I wonder. 63 missions already. How many can a man take?"             - Hans Prenger

Prenger was killed on a mission six days later