[Ruy Horta]

I think some people need to think more carefully about words like fraud.

In general over claiming increases proportionally to the intensity of combat and the distance from the own lines. A lot of fighting on the Eastern Front was close to the front line, and visible by eye witnesses from the ground.

Now many high score Jagdwaffe pilots in the West were proven to be near enough to the mark, or at least in tune to the overal over claiming for any particular campaign.

How does accusations of fraud stand in the light of Hartmann's long post war imprisonment by the Soviets.

Would a simple fraud and third reich glory seeker be given lead of the first Bundesluftwaffe fighter squadron?!

Does a character of fraud and medal hunting conform with said post war character of the professional soldier and his activities once retired?

I don't doubt that over claiming was part and parcel of the air war (but that doesn't include further blanket statements about the actual ratio of claims etc), but it takes far more convincing before you can call a particular claim fraudulent or even a clear over claim.