Fighter Combat

310 UNLIMITED-AIRCRAFT TACTICSintegrity, since this has been found to be about the maximum number ofaircraft which can be closely coordinated at the high speeds and largeturning radii of modern fighters. This segment addresses the techniquesused by a section of fighters operating in a highly outnumbered hostileenvironment.Fighter pilots don't think of not coming back. They are invincible, or thinkthey are, and they have to be that way. Down in our hearts we may figure thatsome accident will get us some day, when we are old and gray, when ourbeards get in the way of the controls, or we get to where we don't see well orreact fast—but we know that no enemy fighter is good enough to shoot usdown. If that happens it's just an accident.These thoughts are the "chips" that we carry on our shoulders, and theyhave to be there—arrogant, egotistical chips mellowed by flying techniqueand experience and fortified by the motto, "Attack!" Never be on the defensive.Shoot the enemy down before he can shoot you down. You are betterthan he is, but don't give him a chance. He may get in a lucky shot but you'reinvincible. Move toward any dot in the sky that remotely resembles anairplane. Move to attack, with switches on and the sight ready. If it's not aship or if it's a friendly one you'll be ready anyway, and your arrogant luckwill last longer."Colonel Robert L. Scott, Jr., USAAF10 Victories, WW-IIChapter 6 ("Section Tactics, Two-versus-Two") discussed the merits ofvarious tactical doctrines in the two-versus-two environment and statedthat double attack and loose deuce doctrines are probably best suited tothis scenario. The strike-rejoin-strike technique described there can beemployed with either doctrine, providing credible offensive potential withgood mutual support. Like the single fighter in the one-versus-many scenario,the section operating in the few-versus-many environment must beprimarily concerned with defense. Prolonged turning engagements shouldbe avoided like the plague, as they tend to attract other hostile fighters,lead to breakdown of mutual support, and foster task overloading, whichleaves the fighters vulnerable to unseen attacks. The strike-rejoin-strikesystem, exemplified by Figures 6-5 through 6-8, allows the section tomaintain an effective defensive posture except during brief attack sequences,and discourages prolonged engagement. These qualities are idealfor the unknown few-versus-many scenario.In Africa we were outnumbered twenty to one, so it was impossible to get anyreal success. To get out with your neck, to get home in one piece—that wassuccess.Major Hartmann Crasser, Luftwaffe103 Victories, WW-IIAs in the one-versus-many situation, the section in the hostile unknownscenario spends most of its time transiting hostile airspace duringthe ingress, patrol, pre-engaged maneuvering, and egress phases of a mission.Combat-spread formation has been shown to be most effective forsection defensive mutual support and is recommended. Small divisionsoperate best in line abreast, or in loose vies (3 fighters) or finger-four