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German Tank Kill Claims: Lying with Statistics?

In this video we particularly look at the aspect that Fremde Heere Ost (the German military intelligence for the Eastern Front) discounted German Tank Kill claims by 50 % / divided them by two. This is not necessarily incorrect, yet the reason for this discount is often not mentioned or unknown. Additionally, one has to keep in mind when this statement was made and that the explanation given might not be correct either. Furthermore, various other problems with statistics, kill claims, keeping records etc. are also short discussed. In short, context matters and usually there are several aspects to consider. Check out the Stuka: The Doctrine of the German Dive-Bomber Book campaign here: http://stukabook.com »» GET OUR BOOKS «« » The Assault Platoon of the Grenadier-Company November 1944 (StG 44) - http://sturmzug.com » Army Regulation Medium Panzer Company 1941 - http://www.hdv470-7.com »» SUPPORT MHV «« » patreon - see videos early (adfree) - https://www.patreon.com/join/mhv » subscribe star - https://www.subscribestar.com/mhv » paypal donation - https://paypal.me/mhvis » YouTube Membership - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK09g6gYGMvU-0x1VCF1hgA/join »» MERCHANDISE «« » teespring - https://teespring.com/stores/military-history-visualized » SOURCES « Overmans, Rüdiger: Deutsche militärische Verluste im Zweiten Weltkrieg. 3. Auflage, Oldenbourg: München, Germany, 2004. BArch, RH 2/1933; Vortragsnotiz über Instandsetzung abgeschossener Panzerkampfwagen und Fertigung von Panzerkampfwagen und Sturmgeschützen in der SU, FHO (IId), 1.10.1943. Zaloga, Steven: Sledgehammers: Strengths and Flaws of Tiger Tank Battalions in World War II (review), in: The Journal of Military History. Volume 68, Number 4, October 2004, p. 1283-1284. Online version (with typo in the heading) https://muse.jhu.edu/article/173363, last accessed: 3rd September 2021. Morison, Samuel Eliot: Breaking the Bismarck Barrier 22 July 1942-1 May 1944. History of the United States Naval Operation in World War II. Volume VI. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland, USA, 1950 (2010). BArch, RL 10/512: Angriffsverfahren von Sturzkampfverbänden gegen Seeziele. (Einsatzerfahrungen der II/St.G.1 England und Mittelmeer.) McNab, Chris: Hitler’s Tanks: German Panzers of World War II. Osprey Publishing: Oxford, UK, 2020. #GermanKillClaims,#TankKills,#LyingWithStatistics

Comments

Volker Hartmann

And then there is the difference between "operational kill" vs. "real kill", albeit it is accounted for by FHO's reference to recovery. Somebody knocking out a tank from combat because he fired at it, saw smoke coming out of the turret and the tank stopped moving, will claim to have killed a tank. And he would be telling the truth. But that does not mean the tank was totally destroyed. For the combat, i.e. tactically, it was killed. For the war, i.e. steategicially, it was merely put out of action for a ween until it was repaired and the crew was brought back to full strength. So interpreatation of reports and even perceptions is a source of error, as well es misunderstanding about what is actually being counted.

Miguel Aldaz

Great video. I would love to hear your take on FHO. Future video?