Malta: The Spitfire Year

[JoeB]

I have a question about this classic book, somewhat in same vein as my recent question about "Fighters Over the Desert", but I think the answer might not be the same.

The book clearly quotes Luftwaffe losses in many more actions than is the case with 'Desert', but not all. In some cases British claims of destruction or damage are mentioned without any statement that they are or aren't corroborated in German records. Sometimes bomber losses are more clearly given, sometimes fighter losses. And then in some cases (May 9 is an example, on pg. 250-1) Axis losses much lower than the British claims are quoted, but along with quoted reaction by British participants, postwar, expressing incredulity at the reported Axis losses. There's at least one other date I've come across so far with a similar quotation.

Can anyone give me more 'color' on the types and nature of Axis records used to compile this book, and what's behind those varying treatment of different episodes? For example in the page 250 case, are the authors just letting the British participants 'speak their piece', or are there specific holes in the Axis records, units not included, etc. that really makes it likely Axis losses are omitted?

And I said 'Axis' but most of these cases actually relate to German losses. It seems that pretty definitive Italian accounts are given of various combats almost all the time.

Joe