Typhoon and Tempest Aces vs Tanks and Armored Vehicles
 

Were their any RAF/Commonwealth aces against German tanks, armored vehicles?

I know about Pierre Clostermann with 5 x tanks, 225 x motor vehicles destroyed in Northwestern Europe, and Phillip Hillier with some 13 x tanks (before he was killed in a flying accident in August 1842) in North Africa.

Did a brief search of the website but did not find anything on this.

markr

Re: Typhoon and Tempest Aces vs Tanks and Armored Vehicles
 

I've no doubt there were but ... given the difficulty in assessment and confirmation in combat, particularly in NWEurope, not to mention their contentious nature, any research on this subject would find many difficulties. Records of successes by individual pilots are rarely mentioned in records, usually just unit claims.

True, some pilots listed claims in their logs, but these were not subject to any assessment process as were air combat claims. The majority of AFVs destroyed could not be attributed to any individual.

Re: Typhoon and Tempest Aces vs Tanks and Armored Vehicles
 

Also if I remember right, the postwar assessment was that anti-tank ground attack missions by, primarily Typhoons, even when using rockets were not very effective.
Far fewer tanks were destroyed than initially believed.
Ground attacks were very effective against troops, soft skinned vehicles and at least rather good against semi-armoured ones, but the more armour - less effect.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Typhoon and Tempest Aces vs Tanks and Armored Vehicles
 

[quote=Stig Jarlevik;269096
Far fewer tanks were destroyed than initially believed.
Ground attacks were very effective against troops, soft skinned vehicles and at least rather good against semi-armoured ones, but the more armour - less effect.

Cheers
Stig[/QUOTE]

Can't remember where I read it but I believe one conclusion was that nevertheless armour could be crippled by the destruction of its supporting vehicles (trucks for fuel, ammunition, spares etc.).

Re: Typhoon and Tempest Aces vs Tanks and Armored Vehicles
 

True enough Nick

My point was more directed towards the "Ace" syndrom than an over all aspect of ground attacks as such.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Typhoon and Tempest Aces vs Tanks and Armored Vehicles
 

Stig,

Chris Thomas pretty much summed it up. Given the fact that if you loitered around after the fact to view ones accomplishment, it pretty much would guarantee a few nails added to your coffin.

Stephen