Quote:
Originally Posted by Laurent Rizzotti
Actually far more German pilots survived bailing out after being shot down by US fighters than those that were killed under their chutes, so surviving a bail out is no proof of the identity of the victor. And I would not say it was an usual practice.
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Thanks for the clarification, Laurent R. The moderators are supposed to keep their eyes open for nationalistic slurs, especially false ones, but it appears they missed this one. Sadly, many Europeans also believe American fighter and fighter-bomber pilots flying down on the deck went out of their way to intentionally strafe bicyclists, school children, mothers pushing infants in prams, schools, hospitals, etc. Some of this certainly happened, but it was not wide-spread. As we both know, for every German report of a Luftwaffe aircrew member being machine gunned in his 'chute, there is a corresponding Allied report of baled-out aircrew being shot, pitch-forked or beaten to death on the ground by both German military and civilians.
We have been through this time and again here, but each time it happens it needs to be challenged.