12 September 1940.

Our instructor was a short, dark Arab. He was one of the few Egyptians who co-operate with the Fatherland. The majority of inhabitants of such countries consider us invaders. We were told that this aerodrome was not far from Cairo, and that we will be taken to some excavations. We were in cars within 15 minutes after the short briefing, on our way to the place our actual mission. I was lucky to be assigned to the car with our instructor, and I sat near him. He was not a talkative person, but a few gulps of Schnapps from my army flask and several cigarettes loosened his tongue. What he told me has greatly worried me. He said that we are to go into the remains of tomb built for an Egyptian pharaoh. On discovery of this tomb the local inhabitants began to notice some strange events and this area is considered cursed. Several months back group of German and Italian scientists conducted excavations on the tomb. Several weeks after beginning the work the whole encampment disappeared without trace during the night! Many local people believe this was the work of guerrilla-nomads, but people often say that aliens created the curse of the pharaohs. This information did not make me feel optimistic at all. I folded a belt of haversack and settled back in my seat deep in thought.
