kettbo
Senior Airman
I seem to recall a young Chuck Yeager as a relative NEWBIE LT leading the missions due this good eyesight and tactical sense (or I have merely lost my mind)
from The Right Stuff or YEAGER, IIRC.
In the LW (edit) there were the enlisted pilots, more or less the designated wingman...backing up the LT or Captain
With luck, the Flieger survives, gains skill, and promotion. One day he becomes one of the Alte Hassen, a wiley old hare.
So, who would lead the mission, the Veteran NCO with several hundred missions, perhaps a 20-40 kills under his belt or the new LT playing at Schwarmfuhrer?
The Extreme example, BARTELS (some 90+ claimed kills), did BARTELS lead or take 2nd chair to less-experienced officers?
Still rated an NCO, not officer candidate
I know Addi Glutz eventually commissioned, as did others
'Paule' Rossmann 93 claimed, who led this stalwart? (if I have my facts right he was promoted to LT)
edit
I searched the LW 'ace' data today, many NCOs with over 40, a few over 100
from The Right Stuff or YEAGER, IIRC.
In the LW (edit) there were the enlisted pilots, more or less the designated wingman...backing up the LT or Captain
With luck, the Flieger survives, gains skill, and promotion. One day he becomes one of the Alte Hassen, a wiley old hare.
So, who would lead the mission, the Veteran NCO with several hundred missions, perhaps a 20-40 kills under his belt or the new LT playing at Schwarmfuhrer?
The Extreme example, BARTELS (some 90+ claimed kills), did BARTELS lead or take 2nd chair to less-experienced officers?
Still rated an NCO, not officer candidate
I know Addi Glutz eventually commissioned, as did others
'Paule' Rossmann 93 claimed, who led this stalwart? (if I have my facts right he was promoted to LT)
edit
I searched the LW 'ace' data today, many NCOs with over 40, a few over 100
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