German Fighter Tactics Against Flying Fortresses    Office of the Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Intelligence. Washington, D.C.
	DOUBLE QUEUE Low Squadron of Lead Group, Usually of First Combat Wing Over Target TACTICS DESCRIPTION On either side of the squadron and at a distance of approximately 2,000 yards, the single-engine fighters queue up for attacks in trains. They are about 500 yards above the level of the lead squadron, flying a parallel course. These formations vary, but at points X and Y the fighters are in trains of two or three to the side, ready for alternating dives, with from 5 to 10 seconds intervals between. In other words, two or three e/a, in train, dive from point X, then two or three e/a, in train, from point Y. The procedure is repeated until all planes (sometimes 18 or more to the side) have taken their turns in diving. Fighters diving from point X pass under the lead squadron, while the e/a from point Y do a shallow dive, a slow roll, then a belly-up dive (Split "S") when within 500 yards (or less) of the lead element of the squadron. The low squadron can be attacked in the same manner. The same tactics are employed in dives through the formation, i.e., between the lead and low squadrons or between the lead and high squadrons. TACTICS LESSON If these attacks are not properly coordinated, it is a gamble to take evasive action against either of them; if they are coordinated, the nose attack with no deflection is most dangerous. Don't give the fighters a no-deflection shot. Because of the decoys, this maneuver more than any other, has a tendency to draw fire from Fortress gunners. The group or squadron showing poorest combat formation is usually the one to come under attack. Click to continue		Me262 in WW2 Fighters Go to The Scissors Movement
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