Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Murr44
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Kapt Z
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Sailor Steve
A lot of the claims were exagerrated simply because the ID books were wrong, or a lot of ships looked like a lot of other ships, or the claimed ship didn't actually sink.
In most cases it wasn't lying so much as not knowing for sure what they were claiming. Still, I'd be curious to see what you find out.
|
Exactly!
Fighter pilots over claimed as well. Not suprising considering how crazy mass dog fights must have been. Before gun cameras I don't know how any of them kept track of what was going on. |
A little off topic but the Luftwaffe had a very strict claims procedure. A kill had to be witnessed by 1 other person before it was recognized & confirmed by the claimant's Gruppenkommandeur. Unlike the RAF, RCAF, USAAF, etc. the Luftwaffe's policy was "one pilot, one kill"; if 2 pilots claimed the same kill they had to decide between themselves who would get credit. If they were unable to decide the Staffel was awarded the victory. |
That makes sense, but still who knows in the chaos of combat. I've read many reports that claim 'blue' squadron shot down 12 'red' planes in engagement 'x'. Then you see 'red' squadron report 3 planes lost after the same engagement.
I always liked the story I read once about a RAF Spitfire pilot's comment to his CO after a fierce dogfight, "Well sir, I think I managed to scare a few of them as much as they scared me."
Personally, I've never had a shot fired at me in anger, so I'm willing to give those that
have quite a pass. U-boat kaleun or fighter pilot.
