Unsung Aces?

[VFC_Baxter 19]

I am not a particularly good shot or pilot and tend to lead my AI squadron on boom and zoom attacks against enemy formations. Sometimes I think I can see an engine stop or a bit of wing fly off or maybe a fire start on the EA I shoot at but by then I am past my target and climbing to attack again. If it wasnt for the score screen I really wouldnt know if we shot any planes down during the fight. I am thinking that maybe this was how it was for most pilots in WWI or even WWII so how come aces can claim the number of kills that they do?

 

I am not disputing any claims or the courage of the folk involved but it seems incredible to me that someone can actually keep score in the confusion of combat. How did they do that?

[Panama Red 22]

WW2 had gun cameras to verify the kill. WW1 relied on your fellow pilots to verify the kills. That is why the number of kills claimed by each side far excided the number of planes/pilots that ever flew for the other side (in both wars).

[Heck 496]

A number of books I've read claim that confirmation was often a sort of "gentleman's agreement," especially for allied pilots, who often lacked the other sources of confirmation, by the army, etc. I've read a number of examples where the pilot who gave his confirmation was later proved to have been unable to see the crash by the testimony of their own flight reports. No matter what the reality, I agree with your feelings that most times it must have been next to impossible for the dogfighting type of pilot to see the results of his own kill. The stalking type, epitomised by McCudden, might have had a little bit easier time, because of the type of work they were doing.

 

Heck