[RussGannon]

Steve

Yes at the hieght of the Albatros superiority, they were willing to pursue and even attack British Corps aircraft JUST over the line. But again one should be wary of Jenseits (other side) claims - when put under microscope they are not a whole lot more reliable in regards 'hard kills' than British OOC claims.

And yes I agree prudence in operations - I would use the term German pragmatism - they knew fully well that they would incur far greater losses fighting an offensive war than a defensive one - disabled planes and pilots would come down Allied side and would be a total loss rather than a temporary loss as was the case fighting defensively. And I'm certain German industry could not easily make good the higher attrition rates. Pilots and crew would not be a problem but training standards would no doubt drop and this in turn would lead to further casualties.

But getting the most victories for the least loss will not win you an air war. I probably sound like a record with a scratch in it - but it is the support an air force gives to its ground forces that really counts. As interceptors the Jasta's should have been denying British & French planes free reign over German air space. Thuis they never did - not even in the darkest moments of Mar-Apr 17. And I always find it amazing that Jasta commanders were routinely happy to let bomber and fighter recon units reach their targets before attacking when they attempted to regain their lines (pointedly low of fuel and ammo). Indeed many a mission went un-attacked even though they were shaddowed by Jasta formations. It was if they would not attack without all the advantages of height, numbers & position of sun. This in my view is no way to win an air war and no way to support ones troops on the ground. It all looks geared for the scoring of 'safe' victories and personal prestige - what one might call the 'Sanke Card' syndrome.

Now in some sense as the Germans on the Western Front were on the defensive in second half of 1916 and all 1917, then this state of affairs was acceptable - but when they went on the offensive in the spring of 1918 they should have also gone on the offensive in the air. Indeed this is what Ludendorf demanded:

"Pursuits flights should appear at the same time as Battle Flights, their duty, by pushing forward over the line, to destroy the enemy over his own ground and prevent his reconnaissance from establishing the main lines of our attacks."

This simply never happened on British sector or the French sector where British IX Wing opperated!!!!!!

The Jagdstafflen seemed stuck in their 'safe' defensive posture of 1917. And again the excuse of numbers cannot be used.

To put it bluntly, neither the Jagdstafflen or the Schlastas really rose up to the challenge. There would have been heavier losses but the prize was victory and not the humiliation of the Armistice. At the end of the day performing 'admirably' was not good enough.

Cheers Russ