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Aircraft losses are certainly important but even more important are PILOT losses. As pilots are killed they are replaced but as the war progresses the replacements are of lower and lower quality which in turn accelerates the loss of aircraft and lowers kill ratios. Germany could never hope to equal the US ability to manufacture aircraft or field quality pilots. The Germans on the western front were indeed overwhelmed by sheer numers of aircraft and pilots
I agree,the two go hand in hand.
Pilot quality fell off a cliff. Josef Schmid,effectively in command of all fighters defending the Reich,wrote of the situation as early as April 1944.
"U.S. freie Jagden added to the strain on RLV aircrews. Inexperienced pilots suffered Jager-shrek (fear of fighters) owing to the realisation of their own vulnerability when forced to fly alone due to weather or damage. This led to premature bail outs"
On 27th April 1944 Galland said.
"The problem with which the Americans have confronted the fighter arm is quite simply the problem of air superiority.The situation is already being characterised by enemy air superiority.
The numerical ratios in daytime combat at present fluctuate between approximately 6:1 and 8:1 in favour of the enemy.The enemy's standard of training is astonishingly high.The technical capabilities of his aircraft are so manifest that we are obliged to say that something must be done immiediately...
It is unfortunate that the Jagerstab's efforts to increase fighter production must be carried out under the pressure of bombing and very heavy losses...
In the past four months our day fighter forces have lost well over 1,000 pilots,including many of our best Geschwader,Gruppe and Staffel commanders. We are having great difficulty in closing this gap,not in a numerical sense,but with experienced leaders."
My italics
Cheers
Steve