RAF Aircraft Loss Categories - Explanation

[AndreasB]

In a file containing losses of British and Italian aircraft in the Med in 1941 I have come across the following which I would like to understand. British losses are classed in Categories "E" and "B". "E" has considerably higher numbers (this was during high operational tempo - CRUSADER). I am guessing that "E" could be destroyed on operations, and "B" damaged? Or "E" destroyed by enemy and "B" destroyed in flight accidents? Does anyone know?

Many thanks in advance!

All the best

Andreas

[Jan.Safarik]

R.A.F. Aircraft - Damage Categories

Pre 1941
Cat.U Undamaged
Cat.M(u) Capable of being repaired on site by the operating unit
Cat.M(c) The repair is beyond unit capacity.
Cat.R(B) Repair on site is not possible; the aircraft must be dismantled and sent to a repair facility.
Cat.W Write-Off
1941 - 1952
Cat.U Aircraft Undamaged
Cat.A Aircraft can be repaired on site
Cat.Ac Repair is beyond the unit capacity, i.e. may be repaired on site by another unit or contractor
Cat.B Beyond repair on site, i.e. repairable at a Maintenance Unit or at a contractor's works
Cat.C Allocated to Instructional Airframe duties
Cat.E Aircraft is a write-off
Cat.E1 Aircraft is a write-off but is considered suitable for component recovery
Cat.E2 Aircraft is a write-off and suitable only for scrap
Cat.E3 Aircraft is burnt out
Cat.Em Aircraft is missing from an operational sortie (missing aircraft categorised "Em" after 28 days)
In addition to the above the cause of the damage is sometimes indicated by a prefix or suffix, thus;
FA Flying Accident
FB Operational Loss
GA Ground Accident
T Technical Cause
EA Enemy Action

Source: http://www.k5083.mistral.co.uk/DAM_CAT.HTM

JAN

[AndreasB]

That's brilliant, very many thanks!

All the best

Andreas