A question about how aircraft losses are reported

[oquaig]

Hi everyone,

Let’s say a combat aircraft, not damaged in combat or in a noncombat related accident, is having issues, say the hydraulic system has failed. It is taken off the list of “Einsatzbereit” aircraft and listed as unserviceable. After a certain time the boys in black decide there is no hope for the machine and write it off. How does this show on the Genst.Gen.Qu.6.Abt. loss list ?

Thanks in advance
Oquaig

[TigerTimon]

The 'boys in black' really got me, haha

[John Manrho]

I think it is highly unlikely that Bodenpersonal would write an a/c off. It is more than likely that they would return it to industry. This information can be found in strength reports.

[oquaig]

Originally Posted by John Manrho

I think it is highly unlikely that Bodenpersonal would write an a/c off. It is more than likely that they would return it to industry. This information can be found in strength reports.

Well that is the question. They send the aircraft back to be rebuilt/repaired but how is that reflected in the unit strength report ? It is not on strength anymore, because it is gone. Is it recorded as a loss ? It can't just disappear because the Germans are too meticulous, they keep records of everything. Or another way to ask the question: what is the terminology used in the report ?

[John Manrho]

I believe as "Überholung" in Bewegungsmeldungen.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Originally Posted by John Manrho

I believe as "Überholung" in Bewegungsmeldungen.

Yes, but this category will include any aircraft sent to a repair facility (rather than a flying unit) and so will include spent aircraft, but also aicraft with damage between 10 and 59% and possibly aircraft sent for refits/upgrades.

Bewegungsmeldungen are available for a good part of the war and for most units on Michael Holm's Luftwaffe site, at the end of each unit webpage.

[kalender1973]

Originally Posted by Laurent Rizzotti

Yes, but this category will include any aircraft sent to a repair facility (rather than a flying unit) and so will include spent aircraft, but also aicraft with damage between 10 and 59% and possibly aircraft sent for refits/upgrades.

The 10-59% damaged plane should be assigned to the column "durch Feindeinwirkunf/ohne Feindeinwirkung" in Abgang part. Otherwise the numbers are not fit the GQM numbers at all

[oquaig]

To: John Manrho, Laurent Rizzotti and kalender 1973,

Thanks, those were the kind of answers I was looking for.

oquaig