Hartmann: claims vs. victories

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Snautzer

Usaaf did just that. Killing every fighter, even leaving the bombers. I do not see much difference. Marseille did it quite well and a fighter down is one less for the rest to worrie about. Can i ask what Bungay's point is?

1. I see a big difference: (a) the USAAF in the ETO and MTO faced no significant threat from German day bombers; (b) it was the job of USAAF escorts to destroy fighters so that US strategic bombers could bomb their targets. US ground forces in the field could be defended by the Tactical Air Forces.

2. So, in North Africa you shoot down a RAF fighters (which the RAF can afford to lose) while the RAF bombers slaughter your ground troops and burn out your supply dumps (which you really cannot afford to lose).

3. Bungay's point is that in pursuing individual glory through a series of duels the Luftwaffe fighters failed to counter the main air threat to German forces in North Africa.