Acceptable loss rates vs. pyrrhic victories?

[mjbollinger]

Your hypothesis about the Rohna is correct. The pilot who commanded the aircraft that achieved the hit on Rohna didn't learn of the implications of this strike until many years after the war.

It is doubtful the Luftwaffe considered the loss rates of II./KG 40 to be acceptable. The total losses due to enemy action ranged from 20% to 30% of available aircraft on a monthly basis during the months in which missions were flown. The 43% loss rate on the KMF-26 raid (Rohna) was one of four missions in which total losses exceeded 40%. BTW, nine aircraft were lost as a result of this mission: aircraft NN+QW (Wk Nr #535556) suffered an engine fire on take-off and was burnt out.

By coincidence I am meeting with the survivors of the attack on Rohna later today.