May 14th 1940 and few little things

[Rob Philips]

Thanks, Brian & all others. We differ in style, but I believe that Franek and I are mature enough to keep matters civilised. I also believe that these methodological considerations are part and parcel of studying aviation history, even if such matters are not discussed very frequently. I would agree that matters were drifting into spheres of theory, even if I was not prepared to let the matter expand to political theory too. Therefore I offer the following, to bring it all back to earth, and to clarify my request for clarifications rather than vague generalizations.

Facts:

1. A total of X Polish military aviators participated in the French campaign.
Source:
2. We have found accounts of Y of these aviators, in which dissatisfaction is expressed with the French military aviators.
Sources:
3. The dissatisfaction that was expressed can be summarized as follows:
A. About the men
B. About the machines
C. About the organisation(s)
4. Y/X is a significant percentage. We cut short the definition of "significant" in statistics, and declare =>10% to be significant.

Opinions:

1. As the matter is significant, it requires closer examination.
2.A. Dissatisfaction A has the following connotations (discussion of differences in culture and historical experience of Polish and French military aviators)
Sources:
2.B. Dissatisfaction B has the following connotations (discussion of technicalities involved)
Sources:
2.C. Dissatisfaction C has the following connotations (discussion of differences in high command strategies and, perhaps, commander personalities)
Sources:
3. Conclusions

All opinions offered pending more and better data and insight.

I believe that in this way the matter can be lifted from generalizing phraseology, that easily leads to polarisation, to something in which many can participate, with contributions from their specific fields of knowledge, with all cards open on the table, leading to an increasingly developed view of a complicated matter. As a working method or style I would prefer the "yes, but" as the more productive one over the "nope".

Regards,

Rob