[keith A]

Aerial victories compared bombers to fighters are valid if the argument is that the escort was, as at least one Fleet Air Arm airman claimed, that they abandoned the bombers to chase enemy fighters. (for the refutal see LtCdr JB Edmundson, 1836 Squadron FAA).

VF-19s escort capabilities and results are an interesting subject but not my interest at the moment (although you do pose an interesting avenue of exploration). The Helldiver has a remarkable record as both an effective destroyer of the Japanese naval infrastructure, as indeed does the Dauntless as dive bombers. My intent is only to discover - not highlight - the aerial victory claims (types and results). The accuracy of these claims is always going to be subject to the rationale that for every three claims only one (or less than one) are valid, My interest is only to what extent the Helldiver crews understood their effect on Japanese air opposition.

regards

Keith