[Mark R.]

I just examined P-38 losses in air-to-air combat in the Med theater between November 1942 and 6 May 1943. There were two incidents out of more than 100 losses where the Americans thought one of their Lightning pilots had been machinegunned in their parachutes. I agree with Nick, in a swirling dogfight, it could happen by accident. When its one plane on another plane without any witnesses, it would more likely be deliberate. As for the conversation between POWs, some of the talk can certainly be put down to "telling war stories." Most likely everyone did it to a degree based on the discipline of each air force and individual motivations - which run the entire gamut from compassion for a helpless foe to deliberate murder.