German Fighter Tactics Against Flying Fortresses    Office of the Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Intelligence. Washington, D.C.
	This report reproduces a study dated 11 November, 1943 by the Third Bombardment Division, VIII Bomber Command, covering German fighter attacks against Flying Fortresses. The tactical diagrams and conclusions are a result of an analysis of more than 2,500 separate encounters covering a period of 6 months. An analysis of this information has revealed that enemy tactics can be divided into a number of standard patterns. While there are minor variations of these patterns, the tactics presented here are the standard attacks in use at the time of the study. The accuracy of the diagrams has been verified by several hundred experienced bomber crews as well as by numerous operations officers. Their reliability has also been checked by a number of fighter pilots who have escorted B-17 formations. It is emphasized that individual crews may have seen attacks which vary from these standard patterns. The Hun is an opportunist and is quick to change his approach. It is also emphasized that the ranges at which attacks begin and end may vary from those shown here. Ranges given on the diagrams are representative and should be considered as averages. Me 262 in EAW. Brig. Gen. Curtis Le May, commanding the Third Bombardment Division, states that he considers this study as "an excellent example of a thorough collection of intelligence data bearing on the employment of fighter aircraft by the enemy during the progess of combat operations." One intelligence officer in each group has been appointd to specialize in the collection of information covering enemy tatics. This report is the result of the work of these officers. Final compilation was completed by the A-2 staff at Third Bombardment Division under the direction of Lt. col. Carl Norcross, Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2. It is believed that this material will be of value to operations officers, intelligence officers, and gunnery officers in training air crews. Pages describing tactical diagrams may be removed and projected in a balopticon for purposes of instruction. Click to continue		The Rocketeers High Squadrons of High Group, of Any Combat Wing, But Usually of Last Over Target TACTICS DESCRIPTION This attack was first employed on the Schweinfurt mission, 14 October. In Line-abreast, the single-engine e/a approach on level or slightly higher position. Aircraft A, V C, and D after firing their projectiles, peel off as indicated in dieagram. Aircraft E and F, which are not equipped with rocket armament, close in to attack any Fortresses which may have been crippled by the rocket projectiles or which may, for any other reason, seem to straggle. How close aircraft E and F press home their attacks depends upon the prospect of the "kill". Note.- This same line-abreast formation is used by twin-engine e/a when firing rocket projectiles. After the projectiles are fired, the twin-engine e/a often close in for the cannon attack. TACTICS LESSON It's a two-to-one bet that the e/a which will close in for attack is or are located in the center of the formation. THE STRAGGLER'S NUMBER IS UP. KEEP IN FORMATION AT ALL COST AFTER EXPLOSION OF ROCKET PREJECTILES. The tail gunner (officer) in Fortress No. 1 must be alert to this attack and warn formation leader when e/a are jockeying into position. DON'T BE LED AWAY FROM MAIN ATTACK BY E/A PEELING OFF. DON'T WASTE AMMUNITION ON LONG SHOTS. The best defense against rocket attacks from the rear is slight weaving of the fromation. Due to high trajectory and low velocty of rockets, slight weaving will carry the formation out of the effective range of bursts. Go to The Triple Threat
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