[Crumpp]

OK, then official histories tend to represent a state of knowledge that is later improved upon.

Certainly.

Each must be taken in its own light. The official history of the Battle of Britain is far from the popular version.

The popular version has the RAF heavily outnumbered with England's fate teetering on the actions of the few in Spitfires.

While there is little doubt the most important factor of the battle was the men who fought it doing their jobs. The official history combines their bravery on the battlefield with the fruition of pre-war planning, a numeric parity combined with good tactical use of force multipliers backed up by one of the most innovative logistical organizations of the day.

There is simply nothing to compare to the CRO in Europe in 1940 AFAIK.

The pre-war production planning ensured the production assets were in place to completely outstrip German production. It allowed the RAF to increase the size of the operational squadrons and the overall force in a very short time period.

The CRO ensured that these expanded squadrons were rarely below strength when German units were operating at greatly reduced strengths.

The RAF documentation on fighter establishment, strength, and wastage very much backs up the official history version.

Luftwaffe Order of Battle--August 1940
Establishment Strength Serviceability
Bombers 1,569 1,481 998
Dive-bombers 348 327 261
Single-engine fighters 1,011 934 805
Twin-engine fighters 301 289 224
Reconnaissance 246 195 151
Ground attack 40 39 31
Coastal 94 93 80
Total 3,609 3,358 2,550


Fighter Command Order of Battle--11 August 1940 [35]
Establishment Strength Serviceability
Hurricanes 723 721 656
Spitfires 366 374 334
Total 1,089 1,095 990

In fact the logistical groundwork which paved the way for England's victory is studied today by professional defense force logistical organizations.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IBO/is_4_24/ai_74582443

The primary mission of the Office of the Air Force Journal of Logistics is to publish the Air Force Journal of Logistics, the Air Force's only professional journal for logistics, engineering, and services.

http://www.aflma.hq.af.mil/lgj/2_afjl_mission_page.html

All the best,

Crumpp