[Johannes]

Thanks for the complement Bronc

Michael

You base your totals on the old accepted totals, these are sometimes including unconfirmed claims, sometimes like Kurt Tanzer I just cannot see how their totals are given. My source is the micro films listing Staffel/daily Luftwaffe claims, these have few mistakes, have areas missing, but are consistant. They run-out in late 1944.

Regarding Stotz, we all previously all led to believe a total of 189. In the Oetersen air museum a total of 183 is given. On the micro films 182 + 1 unconfirmed. Last 173 in the East. Personally I do not have access to the Russian losses, however other specialist enthusiasts have perused his claims and concluded that Stotz was a honest claimer until he crossed-paths with Hans"Assi" Hahn, then his claims like his Gruppenkommandeur are spectacular and rather dis-honest, then upon Hahn's capture they return to a normal
claim pattern and honesty.

My friend Bernd Barbas knew Heinrich Sturm's wingman. We quizzed this wingman when we couldn't find the 150+ claims for Sturm, his wingman told us that a total of around 130 was more realistic.

If you or anybody else would like "my" list of all claimers i.e any Luftwaffe pilot claiming at least one confirmed kill, then drop me a personal e.mail . I have found so far 7600 claimers, of which 2600 were 5+ aces.

Kind Regards

Johannes