[Boomerang]

Gentleman:

Thank you so much for your prompt replies. I particularly appreciate the specific details of the claims verification process.

It is interesting that the procedure was published in June 1944. Peter Smith's Ju 87 Stuka states that the Ju 87G tank buster first saw action on 5 March 1943, and that Rudel claimed 12 kills on 5 July 1943, near Belgorod. Apparently a number of claims pre-dated the June 1944 process.

What I have read indicates that the primary task of the tank busters was to attack Soviet tank columns that had penetrated the German Lines. If such penetrations were sealed off, knocked out tanks would be available for inspection. In the event of a general German withdrawal, this would not have been possible.

I do recall reading somewhere that, in the very late war period, tank kills were rated equally with A2A kills. To my great frustration, I can't locate the reference where I saw this (I'll be annoyed until I can find the book!)

IMHO the tank busters are a neglected topic - seems to me they were an inspiration for the USAF's A10 Thunderbolt (Warthog) - sorry if that's getting beyond the scope of this Board.

Thanks again for the replies.

Boomerang