[Gizmo]

I would like to report a different pair of overclaimers - Hptm. Joachim Kirschner and Fw. Heinrich Bartels of IV/JG 27.

I checked the results of a few battles over the Balkans in the autumn of 1943.

8 October
Claims: 3 P-38 for Bartels. In this combat pilots of III/JG 27 claimed 4 P-38, 1 B-24, 1 B-25 and 1 “Manchester” and Maj, Gustav Rodel of Stab/JG 27 claimed P-38 and B-25.
US losses: 2 P-38 of 82. FG and two B-25 of 321. BG

25 October 3 P-38 and “Whitley” (wrong identification for B-25) for Bartels, 1 P-38 for Kirschner, 2 P-38 for others.
US losses: 1 P-38 of 82. FG.

31 October
Claims: 2 P-38 for Bartels, 1 P-38 for other pilot.
US Losses: no losses for 82. FG which claimed three kills (Oblt. Alfred Burk, an 28-kill ace, killed)

15 November
Claims: 3 P-38and 1 B-25 for Kirschner, 4 P-38 for Bartels, 3 P-38 for Fw. Ernst Hackl and 3 P-38 for others.
US Losses: one P-38 of 1.FG

17 November
Claims: 1 P-38 and 1 B-25 for Kirschner, 2 B-25 and 1 P-38 for Bartels, 2 P-38 and 1 B-25 for others.
US losses: one B-25 of 340. BG