The Aerodrome Forum - View Single Post - July-Dec 1917

R Gannon · 27 June 2009, 10:01 PM

Steve

Indeed I feel the notion of 'Bloody April' is a little misleading. In my view there is a clear line in the sand 16 April to 20 April where I believe the actual tide turned - up to this point the Jagdstafflen enjoyed its most successful period of the air war. On 13 April its most successful day - 23 claims (12 by Js 11). But then poor weather set in and focus temporarily shifted to French sector for the diasterous Nivelle offensive.

When air fighting resumed on British sector on 21 Apr 17 it had a new feel - there was no longer the run away victory for the Jagdstafflen.

As the whole question of German losses is a grey area, one reliable window are fatal losses - these can at least provide a trend.

I did a bit of number crunching and the six months Aug 16 to 14 Apr 17 saw the Jasta's claim some 455 kills over British aircraft for only 30 fatal Jasta combat losses at hands of British. However the six months 21 Apr 17 to end of Sep 17 saw 95 fatal Jasta combat losses against British and some 870 claims. It must be pointed out however that 30 - 40 % of these claims were not 'hard kills'.

Now my rule of thumb based on study of surviving KTB
is that you should times German fatal losses by 3 to get an idea of how many German machines were shot down down.

If you do the maths then up to 14 Apr the Germans were shooting down 5 for 1 but by autumn of 17 this had wained to 2 for 1 in real terms.

Cheers Russ

27 June 2009, 10:01 PM	#88 (permalink)
R Gannon Forum Ace Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 1,445	Steve Indeed I feel the notion of 'Bloody April' is a little misleading. In my view there is a clear line in the sand 16 April to 20 April where I believe the actual tide turned - up to this point the Jagdstafflen enjoyed its most successful period of the air war. On 13 April its most successful day - 23 claims (12 by Js 11). But then poor weather set in and focus temporarily shifted to French sector for the diasterous Nivelle offensive. When air fighting resumed on British sector on 21 Apr 17 it had a new feel - there was no longer the run away victory for the Jagdstafflen. As the whole question of German losses is a grey area, one reliable window are fatal losses - these can at least provide a trend. I did a bit of number crunching and the six months Aug 16 to 14 Apr 17 saw the Jasta's claim some 455 kills over British aircraft for only 30 fatal Jasta combat losses at hands of British. However the six months 21 Apr 17 to end of Sep 17 saw 95 fatal Jasta combat losses against British and some 870 claims. It must be pointed out however that 30 - 40 % of these claims were not 'hard kills'. Now my rule of thumb based on study of surviving KTB is that you should times German fatal losses by 3 to get an idea of how many German machines were shot down down. If you do the maths then up to 14 Apr the Germans were shooting down 5 for 1 but by autumn of 17 this had wained to 2 for 1 in real terms. Cheers Russ __________________ Our hearts so stout has got us fame For soon 'tis known from where we came Where'er we go they fear the name Of Garryowen in glory.