Black September

I have just finished reading "Bloody April...Black September" by Franks, Guest and Bailey. What a smashing book! The authors provide some amazing insights into various aspects of the air war.

Of particular interest to me was their examination of the confirmation practises used by the different nations. It was particularly interesting to read that the Americans had the most liberal system of all. I guess Rickenbacker's and Luke's claims will be up for review now too.

I think after lengthy discussion on the Forum about claiming systems, we've all concluded that nobody shot anybody down.

[Tailspin]

Except for the Germans. They shot everybody down and none of their claims are subject to any debate.

[Barrett]

This subject has oft been discussed, but Luke's claims are far more valid than EVR's because so many were balloons, which lent themselves to confirmation. Reading Rick's combat reports, it appears he likely shot down 5-6 airplanes and 3 balloons with 2 more balloons destroyed on the ground.
(Follow the bouncing ball, everyone: "A kill is always a victory but not every victory is a kill.")

[Soderbaum]

Hi

I really like this book, but I had made some remarks in earlier threads about German information which has been known for over 80 Years and not by some reason used in the book..

However, it is true that the validity of claims from American flyers is one of the worst of any nation during the War. They were only beaten in this aspect by the British if we include their category OOC...
The validity of their claims in general lies between 10 to max 15 %, depending if your include balloons.

:-X
Gunnar

Yup , it is a great book , but be warned , you can get in alot of trouble writting those two words down . And even more if it's your user name

[baldeagle]

Isn't it true that all of Doug Campbell's claims are verifiable by corresponding German losses?

However, it is true that the validity of claims from American flyers is one of the worst of any nation during the War.

You can't fault us for that, though. Our inclination for braggadocio is purely natural. There's nothing we can do about it. 8)

You can't fault us for that, though. *Our inclination for braggadocio is purely natural. *There's nothing we can do about it. 8)

Oh, and according to others in the "Replicraft" thread in the Replica Aircraft section, we're also arrogant and greedy. This, of course, would explain our over-rated claims. :

[Alan]

David, welcome to the forum. If HistoryDude and BlackSeptember1918 seem to be a little shellshocked, it's because they are. You'll get used to it!