[Csaba B. Stenge]

Calling an AFV as 'totally destroyed' is a complex question, not just the aviators overclaimed in this way (the Soviet Il-2 units heavily overclaimed many times as well), but the ground troops too (many AFV remained repairable, even after a medium or heavy AT weapon hit) An AFV was really destroyed generally, if it is really burnt out (from the write off engine till the internal ammo explosion).

BTW the Soviet and German armoured troops suffered many times much more higher losses during retreats by mechanic failures (abandoned/destroyed AFV's by own troops) than by the enemy.