[Johannes]

Hi Gabor

Think we are in agreement. I see patterns in pilots claiming, and basically it's the same type of pattern for the "over-claimers", also even when they are not "over-claiming" I can usually see it's because they are with an unfamiliar wingman. Also of note is that in the East a Staffel hardly ever flew as a whole, it was usually a rotte or schwarm, this would explain how only certain pilots within a staffel might be "over-claiming".

Saddest thing is that I suspect the "over-claimers" caused hyper-inflation with regards to decorations. Considering the differences between the amount of "kills" a pilot needed to get a Ritterkreuz at any particular time, I wonder if Gruppenkommandeur sometimes didn't recommend a certain person for reward, because he suspected something.

There was an adjutant under Barkhorn's command that found a loophole i.e he was claiming the "kills" awarded to the unit as a whole....not to any one person, apparently Barkhorn was horrified and put a stop to it, but sadly I don't know if any punishment was handed out.

All the best

Johannes