Drei „Falken" der II./JG52 auf der Krim im Luftkampf um die Kertsch-Halbinsel 1943-1944

[Stig Jarlevik]

You are quite correct Dénes, in my opinion.

All Air Forces have either intentionally or unintentionally tried to diminish the impact of their enemies.

In particular the USAAF has struck me as "constantly" trying to ensure a loss was rather to AA-fire than enemy aircraft. Probably mechanical failure was another way of avoiding the real issue.

They did so in WW 2 and repeated the same thing in both Korea and Vietnam.
I guess for moral purposes, it is always good to try and create a kind of invincibility stamp over your own forces. But it could also be dangerous if you go too far....

Cheers
Stig