| Dan, Actually it would seem that both sides had extreme exaggerations in numbers. When both sides state up front what was involved, the numbers tend to be about 1/3 of what was claimed. On 4/12/51 the Soviets claim they put up only 46 MiGs but the US claim was "over 200". Likewise, on the 10/23/51 raid, nine B-29s suffered an abort and still eight aircraft became 25-30 in the Soviet pilots' reports. Against the Soviet pilots most battles appear to be even up, with many aircraft getting counted two or three times in a swirling "furball". No idea on the Chinese, but do not think they put up larger numbers. It's also hard (am still trying to figure out how to do an estimate) of which claims were against Soviets and which against Chinese, and what they claimed in return. First year of the air war shows about 200 claims on each side with maybe 35 MiGs lost and about 45-50 total US losses (B-29s make better targets than fighters). Cookie Sewell AMPS The books I have read all indicate battles engagning several hundred Migs. |