[RussGannon]

Steve

Yes some would argue the GAF was never defeated - but if one is able to mount Wing attack after Wing attack - unopposed - on German airfields; then I would suggest that was a clear sign of defeat. And of course as I hope I have demonstrated - these Wing attacks did indeed do great damage to German units on the ground and certaily had the war gone into 1919 and these attacks continued then the GAF most certainly would have been beaten.

Too much is made of German claiming in the last months - that with the DVII the Jasta's were fighting back as strongly as ever. However Jasta performances were very uneven in these last months - some Staffelfuhrers I suspect, saw that the end was near and were unwilling to needlessly sacrifice their pilots. Also quite 40 % of the claims of this period are invalid if one is looking for 'hard kills'. It was more the illusion of an heroic last gasp effort.

The star performer in final months was JG III even allowing for their overclaiming. They most certainly fought it out to the end.

Also to tidy up a point - for Dec 16 - I make it only 4 'hard kills' west of line and 10 'hard kills' east of line on British sector. Another 8 'confirmed' Luftseiges can only be given question marks. And for what its worth the RFC look to have downed at least 10 German machines in return.

Yes you are correct that the tactics that the British had been developing in 1917 were indeed proven in 1918. It is worth pointing out that British Third and Fourth Army's attacking with far less divisions than the German's in March 18 - recaptured most of the lost ground in 9 attacking days during August 18 - to a line roughly that of 23 Mar 18. Together with First Army -taking big chuncks of what had elluded the Arras offensive of April-May 16 - they captured 64,263 POW's at cost of 106,712 cas. And of course in Sep & Oct they crunched through the Hindenberg line to the green fields beyond.

Cheers Russ