[Homer_J_Simpson]

claims on both sides of conflict usually were inflated...

In this case the number is pretty accurate. The 8th Air Force website gives 30 B-17s lost and 1 P-47. The numbers in the paper were generally fairly good for losses on our side. An exception that comes to mind was when about 60 B-17s were lost on a mission to Schweinfurt in August. The first number reported in the Times was half that, although it was corrected in subsequent days. The inflation happened with estimates of enemy losses.

[DuncanWaring]

I was noticing the glowing reports of the performance of the 8th AF; three days later they'd get their heads handed to them on a platter, again going to Schweinfurt. Summarized:

Of the 291 B-17 Flying Fortresses sent on the mission, 60 were lost outright, another 17 damaged so heavily that they had to be scrapped, and another 121 had varying degrees of battle damage. Outright losses represented over 26% of the attacking force. Losses in aircrew were equally heavy, with 650 men lost of 2,900, 22% of the bomber crews.

The seventieth anniversary will be this coming Monday.

[kimtom]

The inflation happened with estimates of enemy losses...”

that is what I meant. (both sides)

but I know, pilots claiming same kill..etc (especially bomber gunners)