[Leo Etgen]

Hello guys

Bill: Thank you for your support! I do have an article in an aviation magazine that basically states what you wrote on your post concerning the "Thud's" extraordinarily high speed at low altitude. Another factor that I think helps explain the rather high losses of the F-105 to the MiGs is that in nearly every case where an aircraft was used primarily in a ground attack/close air support/tactical role (Kittyhawk fighters in North Africa, Il-2 and Fw 190 F-8 aircraft over the Eastern Front to even occasionally P-47 and P-51 fighters over Normandy) these were very vulnerable to "bouncing" enemy fighters. I get the impression that this was often the case in Vietnam. When the USAF pilots were forewarned that MiGs were about and thus were prepared to engage them the NVPAF pilots did not fare so well. One also has to take into account that for the MiGs it was a "target rich environment" where as not so for the USAF. This same factor helps explain the Luftwaffe aces' often high totals, especially on the Eastern Front, as compared to Allied aces (as well as the often far greater number of missions flown). I believe that you wrote that your father claimed his seven victories in his first 30 missions and afterwards never saw another enemy for the remainder of the 70 missions that he flew. Doubtless, if he had been flying in a similar environment he would have claimed a considerable amount more of victories. Of course, the flip side to operating in a "target rich environment" is that there are that many more "targets" hunting you too! Your information about the bomb tonnage dropped by the 355th TFW as compared to the "Mighty Eighth" is indeed amazing...
Art: Unfortunately I live outside the USA so it will be a while before I can see the Dogfights episode in which you appear. I am very anxious to see it as it is remarkable that I have the opportunity to correspond with a World War II veteran (and an ace at that!) and always read your posts eagerly. Your posts add a vividness to this part of history that is often lacking in published accounts. I am sure that it was an oversight on the part of the script writers rather a deliberate attempt to distort what really happened on the AVG episode. I realize that in aerial combat it is next to impossible to verify if or not an enemy aircraft really was shot down. Certainly the USAAF did its best to establish a rigorous procedure in order to do so, a process that was greatly enhanced by the introduction of gun cameras. I will also take this opportunity to thank you for your service and to acknowledge the sacrifice of your friends who did not return.

Horrido!

Leo