Saburo Sakai

[knusel]

Yes, figures, lists and rankings are among the most enjoyable aspects of airwar enthusiasm.
You cannot easily express the achievements of infantry men in figures. That's why they always stood in the shade of the air aces.
The Third Reich wanted to assign a figure to successful infantry men by counting those days of action in which close combat was fought.
Those soldiers with many close combat days were rewarded the Close Combat Clasp:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Close_Combat_Clasp
Hitler once said that he considers the Close Combat Clasp (in Gold) more honorable than the Knight's Cross.

Have a nice Wednesday,

Michael