Hi folks,
Believe it or not, the last 5 or so posts I believe are all correct!
@Keith and @kaki3152, I appreciate these comments! Helps us see the light at the end of the tunnel a bit better
@Mirek Wawrzyński: '
In the case of their losses, the Russians did not hide it at all, when they had losses, they would list them in documents' <- exactly! There is a lot of information written at different levels (regiment, division, Air Army...) all describing these losses.
@MW Giles: '
Aces' claims are only that, claims. Some are true and some mistaken and some fraudulent.' <- exactly! Claims and victories are two separate things, and both are important. It must be kept in mind that they represent two different, though related, things. Confusing the two leads to a twisting of history.
@Nick Beale: '...
it matters for the researcher/historian to try and work out what actually happened... even if he "only" shot down (say) 70 aircraft, he was still a massively successful fighter pilot.' <- exactly! For historical purposes it may be deemed important, less so otherwise. And if I remember correctly 70>0, so even this is an accomplishment!
Gabor