[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Ruy Horta

But in case of JG 26 it is relatively easy to provide a picture from both sides, compared to many other units.

The value of any fighter, bomber or Schlacht unit lies in its effect on the enemy. Therefore, if the opposing side kept records and they're accessible, you should be able to use them to contribute to a more rounded picture.

That said (IMHO) the author also favors JG 26 in his analysis when JG 2 and JG 26 operate in the same area.

Probably true. He does seem to imply that JG 2 were prone to exaggeration (as does my much narrower research on I./JG 2 in Italy).

I think one other flaw is this obsession with JG 26 as being "Top Guns", which reaffirms some of that Abbeville kids myth. In the West JG 26 and its association with Galland have achieved a sort of iconic status. It does not surprise that a JG 26 unit history is elevated to top spot as well.

The message I got from Vol. 2 was of a unit (and an air force) being steadily outclassed by its opponents and Caldwell's very interesting about the disintegration of morale and performance in the III. Gruppe.

Galland's sales job on his own reputation? Cf. Patrick Bishop Fighter Boys (Harper Perennial, 2004: ISBN 0 00 653204 7), "His high-wattage bonhomie allowed him later to play the part of a professional Good German. He was a prominent guest at post-war fighter-pilot reunions ... Some pilots were never persuaded. In the view of Christopher Foxley-Norris, 'Galland was a shit.'"

Only this iconic status can explain the lack of interest in JG 2, which served alongside it for much of its operational career in the West. One would expect the Traditionsgeschwader "Richthofen" to get an equal treatment.

The reason for that is that you didn't write the JG 2 book, I didn't write the JG 2 book and nor did thousands of others who are waiting for someone else to do the job! We are all guilty!