[Johannes]

Hi Guys

Scrutinising the 200 club is revealing, only about half are found to be honest. Philipp seems to have a little less than 200 due to some being unconfirmed, Erhler's total is uncertain as JG 5's daily claims on the micro films finish in September 1944.

I would guess that the reason why the top official claimers are such, is that they were the least honest!

Günther Josten, and Peter Düttmann documented their claims rather well, so the question about confirmation, or lack-off due to the war ending is covered. Each have unconfirmed in their lists, these must be assumptions that some wouldn't be, and others would be confirmed. I suspect that some claims were never officially made due to technicalities i.e no witness, but should included in there totals met the regulations..........but even these were on occasion never confirmed. I do believe that Josten at least was honest, not sure about Düttmann.

If Hartmann is a fraud, then so were his wingmen, however doesn't mean to say that all for that Staffel were.......I believe Krupinski was honest, like Hartmann he flew for 7./JG 52.

Hartmann was late in receiving his decorations i.e 148 for Ritterkreuz, 202 for Eichenlaub e.t.c, perhaps some authority smelt a rat!

Regards

Johannes