Interpretation of Luftwaffe Loss Statistics

[RodM]

Hello One and All,

I have a question which I hope may be clarified by the learned members of this board.

In Luftwaffe loss statistics it is often difficult or impossible to distinguish losses due to enemy action where the aircraft concerned took off with the intention of performing an operational flight, as opposed to non-operational flights where the aircraft concerned was shot down by the enemy and thus classed as an operational loss.

In some sets of OKL statistics losses due to enemy action are classified as either with enemy contact (Feindberührung) or without enemy contact (Ohne Feindberührung).

Can anyone clarify the meaning of these classifications? Obviously, losses due to the enemy did involve contact with the enemy, so I'm confused as to the context of the German classifications.

Cheers

Rod