Richard E. Turner

[Jim Oxley]

Re-reading Richard Turner's excellent 'Mustang Pilot' after nearly 30 years. Have to say that I am thoroughly enjoying it second time around, as much as I did first time.

In regards to his claims, I've noticed quite a difference in totals. In modern literature Turner seems to be credited with 11 aerial victories. Yet the total claimed in his book differs. I quote from his book (applies to the period he was just taken off Operations):

"With nothing better to do, for the next few days, I sat down with the Squadron operational records to review my total combat tour. From December 1, 1943, to September 5, 1944, I had flown 96 combat missions while spending 294 hours and 40 minutes in the air. I had submitted claims for 32½ enemy aircraft destroyed. Of those 32½ destroyed, 20 were aerial victories and 12½ were destroyed as a result of strafing."

He is not relying on memory, he actually sat down with official records and compiled the figures above at the time ie September 1944.

So my questions is, if he was credited with 20 aerial victories in 1944, why is his total less according to modern day books? Who/when would have adjusted his score?