ratings of German experts

[csThor]

Actually Rudel claimed 12 tanks on the whole of July 5 1943 in several missions. Tank claims are a lot more difficult than the already difficult aircraft claims as it's nearly impossible to discern whether or not a tank is out of action - unless it's burning fiercely.

[Furio]

Originally Posted by csThor

Tank claims are a lot more difficult than the already difficult aircraft claims as it's nearly impossible to discern whether or not a tank is out of action - unless it's burning fiercely.

You’re right. Some fancy claims were made at the Falaise Pocket battle. RAF and USAf claimed 391 armored vehicles as destroyed. Shortly afterwards, in a close examination of battlefield, 133 vehicles were effectively found, of which only 33 had been effectively destroyed, sometimes indirectly, by air attack.
In my opinion, however, there is a widespread tendency to give more credit at German claims and less at Soviet ones.

[Insuber]

Originally Posted by Furio

You’re right. Some fancy claims were made at the Falaise Pocket battle. RAF and USAf claimed 391 armored vehicles as destroyed. Shortly afterwards, in a close examination of battlefield, 133 vehicles were effectively found, of which only 33 had been effectively destroyed, sometimes indirectly, by air attack.
In my opinion, however, there is a widespread tendency to give more credit at German claims and less at Soviet ones.

It's funny that even Goering didn't believe to the claim of his pilots during the Battle of Britain. He went mad accusing them of gross exhaggeration, and tightened the claim examination process. The pilots were scorned and demotivated by the distrust of their own leader (source: JG26, The Top Guns of Luftwaffe, Donald L. Caldwell).

Regards,
Ins

[mazex]

Originally Posted by Insuber

It's funny that even Goering didn't believe to the claim of his pilots during the Battle of Britain. He went mad accusing them of gross exhaggeration, and tightened the claim examination process. The pilots were scorned and demotivated by the distrust of their own leader (source: JG26, The Top Guns of Luftwaffe, Donald L. Caldwell).

Regards,
Ins

Well, he spent all of WWI to get 22 (disputed) victories, and then Galland and the boys where passing 60 already after BoB... That's gotta hurt if your a boasting bully