Schäffer and Zeumer

"Dear Mum! Now that I'm back here, I'm continuing to work hard. I've just shot down No. 53. In Kreuznach, on the way back, I was invited to visit S. M. again, where I met the King of Bulgaria, who awarded me the Cross of Valour, First Class. It is worn in the same way as the E. K. I and looks very good. I met the Reich Chancellor, Count Dohna and several other ministers in person. I have now learned from Oskar that he is definitely dead, as he fell or jumped out of his aircraft in the last 500 metres. He is buried near the front, but on this side. I tried to find out whether he had been recovered by dropping a message to the British. The Royal Flying Corps is very distinguished in this regard. I attended Schäfer's funeral. I flew from Berlin to Krefeld in three hours; by train it now takes eight hours. I took Mr von Salzmann with me, who was very enthusiastic about the first flight. Unfortunately, Zeumer was killed in aerial combat yesterday. Perhaps it was for the best, as he knew that his life was coming to an end. Such a wonderful, kind man! It would have been terrible if he had had to suffer a slow death. This way, he died a heroic death. His funeral will take place in the next few days. I visited Lothar and arrived just as he was being taken away. He looked splendid, tanned, lying fully dressed on his chaise longue with the Pour le Mérite around his neck. He could even stand up and will make a full recovery. He will be able to walk and ride again. In about two months, he may be able to return to the field. But first he must recover completely."