Quote:
Originally Posted by Juha
Franek
"Nonetheless it would be interesting to compare effectiveness data of both Soviets and Allies (and Germans if available) in order to check how actual ground attack aircraft performed."
Yes, I agree.
Juha
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I think most would agree this is the important question.
But aircraft effectiveness depended not just on the aircraft but on the system of which the aircraft (singular and plural) is but one element.
Therefore the elements need identifying and their interrelationships quantified.
This can only be done by examining specific examples and then aggregating the values.
But the data probably do not exist. Pilot reports are usually valueless.
Considering the significant investment required for doing such an analysis for just four days for one division, and the heavy reliance placed on war diaries, personal diaries and observation, and on war correspondent reports that were luckily available on that occasion, there cannot exist many battles that could be the subject of such an analysis.
And then it is important to compare the outcomes of battles with and without close air support.
But until some of this is done at least in part, there will be no resolution of this emotive subject, or even modification of entrenched views.
Tony