the raw numbers

[Furio]

Originally Posted by Igo kyu

If we are talking about the combat capabilities of the aircraft and pilots, then I don't see how ground captures at their home base enters into that.

This is how I see it: ground and air forces advance or retreat together.
Germans captured a lot of Russian aircraft, tanks, cannons, and infantrymen during fast advance in 1941, Russians did the same in 1945.
German army advanced rapidly while Luftwaffe held undisputed air superiority, struggled inconclusively while air superiority passed to and from VVS, then was unable to resist when air superiority ended securely in Russian hands.
This was particularly true on Eastern front, where both air forces fought in close cooperation with ground forces, mainly as flying artillery.