[chicoartist]

Many thanks, Frank. I have two of your books (Stars and Bars, and ETO Credits) which I consult regularly.

Unfortunately, though - I'm looking for info on Baumeister's J-model.

While I've got you on the line, have you investigated or looked into Walter F. Duke's last three kills (459th FS; June 6, 1944), bringing him up to 13 total? I notice that you and the Air Force "credit" him with only 10.

Several sources say Japanese records showed after the war that Duke got three before he was shot down. US pilots of course didn't know about this (since Duke was alone), but US Intel officers heard and entered into the record the story of Duke's last fight when they went around interviewing JAAF Intel folks right after the war.

Of course, I know there's a thousand such "revisionist" ace stories like this, but I'd like to see Duke get what he deserves ... especially since competent verification is available (or so the story goes), and he was engaged in what could easily be a Medal of Honor-worthy "above and beyond" mission, to my mind.

Wade