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THREAD Sometimes I see WW2 stereotypes being made about the fighting spirit/attitude of different nationalities, based on accounts/memoirs. It's possible that such accounts explain an event accurately but here is 1 example as to why we should think twice before using them. 1/
To those that frequently look into the subject, this will not come as a surprise. Often times these accounts about 'the Russians, Germans, Japanese....etc' are highly contradictory between them. Sometimes positive, sometimes negative, usually locked in time and space.(2/?)
This presents a problem. It is interesting to read and convey what combatants thought about each other, and it also gives insight into the different nature of the fighting per theatre, the importance of training, equipment etc. But relying on one account based on one event...(3/)
...to make a 'qualified general' statement about the opposition is something that quickly spirals out of context, especially when it gets conflated with stereotypes ("horde of Russians", "spaghetti Italians", "surrendering French", etc). This cherry picking happens... 4/
often without bad intentions but, repeated again and again, it creates popular, self-evident 'facts'. @CBI_PTO_History could write a song about the times this happens on Japanese aviation, or @SpitfireFilly could give you a stellar account about the myths of the Dambusters... 5/
whereas this great video by @MilHiVisualized (linked) in conversation with Prof. Neitzel touches upon the popular conception of Germany Quality > Quantity. 6/
To FINALLY come to my example, let's travel back to 1943 and the accounts of a commanding officer from a Ju 87 unit (St.G.1) who once witnessed an attack by IL-2 aircraft from afar. Notice what he says about the escort fighters: 7/
Major Friedrich Lang, on events in 1943:
"A large Russian fighter formation broke through the clouds [...] German fighters climb to intercept, a bit of shooting happens and the Russians left back East. Then a large formation of IL-2 aircraft appears[...]and are attacked by[...]8/
![Major Friedrich Lang, on events in 1943:"A large Russian fighter formation broke through the clouds [...] German fighters climb to intercept, a bit of shooting happens and the Russians left back East. Then a large formation of IL-2 aircraft appears[...]and are attacked by[...]8/](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eqvt5kPXIAAX_-A.jpg "Major Friedrich Lang, on events in 1943:\"A large Russian fighter formation broke through the clouds [...] German fighters climb to intercept, a bit of shooting happens and the Russians left back East. Then a large formation of IL-2 aircraft appears[...]and are attacked by[...]8/")
"A large Russian fighter formation broke through the clouds [...] German fighters climb to intercept, a bit of shooting happens and the Russians left back East. Then a large formation of IL-2 aircraft appears[...]and are attacked by[...]8/
...our fighters.[...]Based on captured pilots[...]the [Russian] fighters should have bound the [German] fighters and pulled them East."
There are more stories by German pilots saying that Russian fighter pilots wouldn't fight, escort properly and run. 9/
![...our fighters.[...]Based on captured pilots[...]the [Russian] fighters should have bound the [German] fighters and pulled them East." There are more stories by German pilots saying that Russian fighter pilots wouldn't fight, escort properly and run. 9/](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqvuEXxXYAIwKNP.jpg "...our fighters.[...]Based on captured pilots[...]the [Russian] fighters should have bound the [German] fighters and pulled them East.\" There are more stories by German pilots saying that Russian fighter pilots wouldn't fight, escort properly and run. 9/")
There are more stories by German pilots saying that Russian fighter pilots wouldn't fight, escort properly and run. 9/
There are also accounts how German pilots are annoyed that Soviet pilots can't be lured away from the planes they are supposed to protect. Sometimes this brings statements of "they don't want to fight". Based on this, it would be easy to make some stereotype... 10/
...and that although in this instance the Soviet pilots where, by not running headlong into a fight, actually doing their escort job. Here based on the context, they failed but that's because the plan (pulling the German fighters East) didn't work, not because ... 11/
...they ran away from a fight, which would be an easy assumption to make at the time.
Nowadays, many WW2 discussion focus on hard stats (performance figures, kill to death ratio etc), and the actual context and mission orientated goals get pushed aside. 12/
Nowadays, many WW2 discussion focus on hard stats (performance figures, kill to death ratio etc), and the actual context and mission orientated goals get pushed aside. 12/
However it is exactly this context that helps us understand these events and underlining dynamics within a theatre and battle. As long as that is given, an eye witness account can be explained but it should not be used to cherry pick just because it sounds right or fits. 13/
Lastly, here is another account of Soviet escorts.
Oberst Kupfer, Sept. 43
"A fighter flying an escort mission, should, to be frank, not shoot down [planes]. We experience this in a perfect example with 'the Russians'. If we meet a Russian CAS unit [IL-2s etc.], that... 14/
Oberst Kupfer, Sept. 43
"A fighter flying an escort mission, should, to be frank, not shoot down [planes]. We experience this in a perfect example with 'the Russians'. If we meet a Russian CAS unit [IL-2s etc.], that... 14/
is escorted by fighters then you can just fly past without being disturbed, nothing will happen. We have experienced this again and again, the Russian fighters will and do not leave (the unit they are escorting)." 15/
This statement, given at an official meeting, gives context & explains the behavior generally observed, in contrast to the easy, chest pumping, flag waving, meme-like, we are the champions singing hot take of 'they always run away' which you still see popping up occasionally. 16/
Also, does this mean that no Soviet pilot ever 'ran away'....No. (The Luftwaffe had a punishment system on this itself so it must have happened to them too). Plus, sometimes running away is actually the smart thing to do....yes, I am talking from experience 
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