[John Vasco]

Some things you need to know, if you don't already.

The main documents held by the WASt are the 'Namentliche Verlustmeldungen', which were reports filed at unit level of unit members killed or wounded. As 1940 progressed, these returns contained more information than previously submitted. Occasionally, there would be a supplementary report about the action concerned. They were used to notify next of kin, so were usually quite accurate.

The Quartermaster's Returns, on the other hand, while also submitted from unit level, contain many inaccuracies, particularly spelling mistakes of crew members names. The main purpose of the these returns was for aircraft replacement, so crew names were secondary. Many members on this forum have spent a lot longer going through the Quartermaster's Returns, so they may be able to confirm or deny my point about them.

The 'Nam Ver' and 'Quartermaster's Returns' are the main sources for damage/loss returns on aircraft, and the best scenario is that the information be considered on both concerning the same incident, in order to try to be as accurate as possible. For crew names, I would definitely go with the 'Nam Ver' before the other source.