[Johannes]

Hi Guys

Lets not fight.

Ernst Obermaier had an earlier 1960's publication of his Ritterkreuz book, I don't have this, but his 1980's publication is actually quite honest, he actually states for Tanzer victories uncertain, 128 and 143 have been stated. He also has an entry for Emil Pusch, states a possible date for Ritterkreuz, no Date of Birth, no unit, no number of victories. For some reason years ago I wrote under the entry that he flew with NJG 2 with thirty victories, but as an Oberfeldwebel he could have been a bordfunfer e.t.c, almost certainly he didn't claim as a pilot.

Michael if you have the 1960's book, can you please tell me what Obermaier states about Tanzer in it. This earlier version is much more vague generally, am hoping to establish if 128/143 is the case for this book, also what is the year of publication? We collectively can at least establish how far back the anomaly goes. You you do have the book, what does it state for Walther Dahl?

Kind Regards

Johannes

P.S

Many Luftwaffe pilots received the Ritterkreuz posthumously or after being wounded-out of the war, or not expected to return to combat. Now I know not if being wounded-out of the war was just a convenient break in which to award a Ritterkreuz for an under-par total. Perhaps Tanzer's 1943 wound to his hand, which despite his alleged huge blood loss seems minor compared to injures/wounds some pilots flew with, perhaps this wounds was in fact something much more severe, perhaps he was dragged from his sickbed in the dying months of the war like so many others!