[Graham Boak]

OK, I understand the problem now.

I think we can rule out the idea that the 3145 applies to missions using the normal definition, for that would assume the unit was tasked with over 33 missions per day. This appears excessive, even for an oversized Regiment.

I don't know of regiments reaching the size you suggest, and suspect that 3 (or perhaps 4) squadrons would be more likely.

I would also rule out the suggestion that each pilot flew 5-6 sorties a day, every day. I think this should be read as the unit (perhaps the squadron rather than the Regiment) flew this as a peak effort, perhaps fairly often.

The other point to consider is that the unit will have declined in strength as time went on. I believe this was normal operating procedure for the VVS, rather than keeping the unit at full strength at all time. So the number of missions flown will be more earlier in the period, less later, reducing the average.

The normal tactical unit of the VVS was four aircraft, so an average of eight such missions a day for the Regiment would not be unreasonable, with fewer when weather restricted (or just on a quiet day in a long war!) and more under surge conditions. That's close to an average of three 4-aircraft missions per day for three squadrons.

This suggests that the 3145 applies to sorties, in the normal Western definition.

However, if you do believe in 7 squadrons, then each flying 5 missions every day for 97 days will give you the 3145 missions. This need not mean each pilot flew on every mission for his squadron, but I do think this level of committment is excessive.

I realise that much of the above relies upon logic rather than proven fact.