Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

SECTION TACTICS, TWO-VERSUS-ONE 203
Large vertical separations between fighters can reduce defensive capability,
since the lower aircraft may not be able to climb up quickly to the
level of the wingman to render assistance without losing so much airspeed
that it becomes ineffective. Higher performance fighters can, therefore,
afford larger altitude splits.
Aircraft structural design enters the picture because of its effect on
cockpit field of view. A modern low-wing fighter, for instance, often has a
more restricted field of view behind and down because of the obstruction of
the wing. If one fighter is stepped-up in this case, its wing might obscure a
large portion of the wingman's rear hemisphere. When necessary this
problem may be alleviated by rolling the aircraft periodically to check the
hidden region, but generally it is better to avoid the problem altogether by
readjusting relative aircraft altitudes.
In general, within the limits described, larger splits, both horizontally
and vertically, provide better offensive potential. This is partially because
greater separation affords more maneuvering flexibility and partially because
enemy fighters are less likely to see both aircraft simultaneously.
However, this improved offensive potential may be gained at the cost of
reduced defensive capability, because of visibility and performance factors.
Usually the prudent section will opt for splits nearer the minimum
limits in high-threat areas, or when the immediate chances of engaging
offensively are slim. Wider splits are more appropriate in low-threat conditions
and in the final stages of an offensive attack.
Engaged Maneuvering
It is in the engaged phase that double attack departs most dramatically
from fighting wing doctrine. For example, when the enemy is spotted by
the wingman, no time is wasted getting the leader's eyes on the target. If
the wingman is in a favorable position and he considers attack to be
advisable, he assumes the lead and attacks. The new wingman positions to
cover his teammate, usually high above the fight. Since the wingman is
relieved of his close-formation requirement, he can devote full attention to
the more important task of providing effective visual coverage. His maneuvering
requirements are also reduced, so the wingman can use this
opportunity to increase his energy level, making him more effective in
case he later becomes engaged.
It is wonderful how cheered a pilot becomes after he shoots down his first
machine; his moral[e] increases by at least 100 per cent.
Captain Ira "Taffy" Jones, RAF
40 Victories, WW-I
Once the section has split, there is a subtle shift from the leader/
wingman relationship between pilots to an engaged fighter-free fighter
relationship. The pilot of the engaged fighter is the one more closely
involved with the adversary. In essence, he is the section leader at that
moment. The first duty of the engaged fighter in offensive double attack is
to press the attack. The result of this attempt will be either destruction of
the target or loss of the offensive. At the first sign that the offensive is being
lost (i.e., impending overshoot, energy depletion, etc.), the engaged-fighter