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On 27 December, Horst Götz (T9+HH) was up between 08.53 and 10.05 hrs. to photograph parts of Holland. He reported cloudless skies but “medium haze from Antwerp” and mist. Werner Muffey (T9+KH) flew a mission from 09.02–10.19 hrs. covering Belgian targets including the battle area around Bastogne and all the Maas bridges between Vise and Liège, finding the whole area cloudless but subject to heavy haze. An extensive interpretation report was complied despite the Arado’s starboard camera having jammed after just 50 exposures, while the other’s shots were fogged every 3½ frames.

A signal of 28 December—apparently from Hecht to Sperling—covered a number of issues, the import of which can only be inferred with reference to earlier messages:

(a) An “R-truck” had arrived to take away one or more Jumo 004 [salvaged from T9+IH?]. Was the gas-generator lorry to go to Oranienburg as well?

(b) Take-off and landing would be possible that day, with a 300 x 1100 m. strip marked out. This would be extended to 1300 m. over the next 3–4 days. [Suggesting work to restore serviceability in the wake of the bombing four days earlier].

(c) The Gefechtsstand needed rebuilding [after the bombing?] but there some difficulty was apparently foreseen in establishing the requisite signal lines.

(d) “One man of 1.(F)/100 P/R operator.” [Perhaps a casualty of the bombing, or the first arrival from the Staffel that would be taking over from Hecht in the coming weeks]

(e) [Concerning casualties of the raid?] Uffz. Knauf had been buried. The condition of the remaining wounded in hospital at Bensheim [around 10 km. east of Biblis] was satisfactory [the next several words of the signal were not intercepted].

Finally there was discussion of the advantages of some new facility [a dispersal point?] offering “better inspection at take-off and landing [word or words missing] conditions for FuG 16 [and] less danger to personnel and material.”

On the 29th, FAG 123 relayed a message from higher authority:

That afternoon, in answer to the signal of 28 December (see above), Sommer instructed Kdo. Hecht to send a gas-burning lorry to Oranienburg. He agreed about the proposed new Gefechtsstand, with the proviso that attention was paid to camouflage and protection against shrapnel. Finally, an Ar 234 had arrived “here” (apparently Rheine) for Kdo. Hecht, and Sommer would fly it over after a “small conversion.” In fact two aircraft had been delivered and were undergoing inspection, T9+EH (W.Nr. 140344) and T9+LH, the former being destined for Hecht. Elements of 1.(F)/100’s photographic platoon had reached Biblis and the rest were expected to arrive by rail.

Wolfgang Ziese was airborne for just 19 minutes from 10.33 hrs., returning with engine failure. Another message indicated that this was a weather reconnaissance but that the problem was with the aircraft’s hydraulics.

On the morning of the 31st, Sperling was advised that Obltn. Sommer was to take off at 09.30 hrs. under the call sign Vagabund (vagabond). Werner Muffey (T9+KH) flew from 09.24–10.52 hrs., to photograph Antwerp, Tirlemont (Tienen), St. Trond (Sint Truiden), Roermond and Venlo; the courier left with his films at 12.30. Rheine was strafed by fighters but no damage was done. A new aircraft, AH, was ferried to Kdo. Sperling at Rheine and was reported to be undergoing inspection; it would not be declared serviceable until 3 January.

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