[keith A]

I agree, Nick but I believe he was addressing confirmed victories. I think Montravel and L'Espinay claimed or were awarded "probables" which in some sources are lumped in with confirmed victories. "Les pilotes de chasse francais 39-45" by CJE, Listemann and Tilly agrees in that they are not included (again no sources are listed). However Gisclon credits himself with five victories in his books, despite the fact that two of the five were probables. He also lists L'Espinay as having three victories and Montravel one (with GC2/5). Gouachon had five crosses marked on his P-47 Thunderbolt despite one being a "probable".

Perhaps the Bf109s landed safely but damaged. Again we are at an impasse. Regardless of the results. The LW sources deny a combat, or indeed any encounter, the French are equally sure there was one. Why would the French pilots make it up? Neither pilot seems to have been a "gong-hunter", and I assume there were several pilots present to corroborate the action. There are many instances of overclaiming in the theatre, John Voll of 31st FG USAAF was awarded a medal and credited with several victories despite being alone and with no gun camera footage (and LW records have not provided evidence of his extravagant claims) but no evidence of French pilots making such claims. Are we to believe these French pilots returned home and concocted this story for their own advancement? It seems unlikely.

The LW records may be all but complete but they don't give any firm details of the He111 shot down on that date either. You surmise that the losses to KG26 were Ju88 and occurred far to the north and I trust your judgement on that case because it is based on incomplete records but has a rational solution.

I am going to side with the French version of events, despite the LW statements, simply because I cannot see a rationale for Montravel and L'Espinay to invent a story.

best regards

Keith