I think the unknown word could be “gern” (happily), even though for that to be true one of the letters would have to be seen as missing — but doesn’t that happen in cursive sometimes? — which would make the whole phrase something like: “three little bitches (in today’s vernacular, because Puppchen — which really ought to be Püppchen; another cursive quirk? — means literally ‘little doll’ but also refers to women like ‘sweet little thing’) of the artillery observation.” Do you think that could possibly be it? 😉
Portraits of War 
I think the unknown word could be “gern” (happily), even though for that to be true one of the letters would have to be seen as missing — but doesn’t that happen in cursive sometimes? — which would make the whole phrase something like: “three little bitches (in today’s vernacular, because Puppchen — which really ought to be Püppchen; another cursive quirk? — means literally ‘little doll’ but also refers to women like ‘sweet little thing’) of the artillery observation.” Do you think that could possibly be it? 😉