For the friends of Billy Bishop

Originally Posted by Frank_Olynyk

The correct term is "decisive combat", and that is the terminology the British used during the war. A "decisive combat" is not a victory. The term "victory" should be used only for what is, or is believed to be, a destroyed aircraft.
Frank.

I stand corrected!

regards

[Tailspin]

Mike,

Foch didn't claim any. Foch was a Field Marshal.


Fonck, on the other hand, claimed 125. He was credited with 75. Debate continues on the matter.

Fonck's supporters suffer from the fact that the man was very difficult to like. Bishop, however, seems to be quite likable on a personal level. Bishop's book was easier to read than Fonck's, but that's either because it wasn't translated from French or Fonck was a poorer judge of ghostwriters.

Tom

[MikeW]

Tom,

What the Foch? Nothing to with me.


Mike

[Tailspin]

Good one, Mike.

Tom

Are Richthofen's claims beyond examination?

Originally Posted by Sgt.Striker

Are Richthofen's claims beyond examination?

Hi Sgt.Striker,

Actually, they've been heavily scrutinized, sometimes with varying results. There is a rather good analysis in the book Above the Lines (Franks, Bailey and Guest). It seems that most of his claims cross check to known allied losses.....

regards

Sorry, forgot that there is a more recent book on the subject by Norman Franks by the title of Under the Guns of the Red Baron. It may have more up to date material.

regards