How Does the Propagation of H-pol E-M Fields Compare to That of V-pol E-M Fields (other things equal)?

As clearly shown in the graphic clip first below, h-pol e-m waves radiated at low elevation angles tend to be canceled by their reflections from the Earth near the antenna site. Note the last sentence in the text column at the right side of that graphic. (This clip is taken from a textbook printed in the 1940s, but Physics hasn't changed in the interim.)

The graphic second below shows a NEC4.2 comparison of the E-fields existing over a zero to 45° elevation sector, 0.1 km downrange from an h-pol and v-pol radiator both radiating 100 watts. (Note that an h-distance of 0.1 km from these radiators lies well within their far field.)

The reduced fields from the h-pol radiator are clearly evident.