You're doing it again...Define "seen service"
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HT says : "There is no hard and fast rule. But generally we want planes to have seen service."
He does NOT say- Service in WWII ...
He does NOT say - COMBAT
He does NOT say - In Squadron Strength
He MOST notably does NOT say - NO DO 335
The problem is that certain individuals seem to feel that since rules DO NOT EXIST, they are free to MAKE THEM UP. AND this has mislead a lot of well meaning folks who really have no malicious intent. Evidently AH is not enough of a game for some folks and they feel the need to make this forum into one too.
If it interests anyone ... The reference I mentioned regarding a do335 night fighter participating in Operation Gisela MAY refer to German Night Fighter Ace Heinz Wolfgang Schnaufer (121 kills) who commanded the 4th night fighter wing (ju88G). Documentation is VERY incomplete, but it is verified that Schnaufer was delivered a DO335 night fighter in Jan of 45 and that he was ENTHUSED about the plane. It suspected that the plan was to re-equip his wing with the DO335 NF Varient, but this remains undocumented. Given the state of affairs in germany at that time, it's unlikely an operational aircraft was allowed to sit idle if a pilot was available. Operational use of this DO-335 is completely in keeping with Schnaufer's character and reputation. He Was Germany's youngest wing commander and led his men from the cockpit.