Protocol question....

[Knarley-Bob]

When escorting bombers, is one supposed to stay with bombers, or can one chase other enemy flights on bombing runs themselves? I noticed if I do, I'm the only one doing it. I suppose that's the answer? I know in the game I can do whatever, asking about real life......

 

KB

 

 

[Skycat1969]

 

https://www.airforcemag.com/article/targeting-the-luftwaffe/ 

and

https://www.jstor.org/stable/26652285?seq=1

 

but also

 

 

[357th_KW]

7 hours ago, Knarley-Bob said:

When escorting bombers, is one supposed to stay with bombers, or can one chase other enemy flights on bombing runs themselves? I noticed if I do, I'm the only one doing it. I suppose that's the answer? I know in the game I can do whatever, asking about real life......

 

KB

 

 

 

It really depends on the specific force you're talking about and the time frame etc.

 

Historically there were examples of "close escort" where the escorting fighters were basically flying in formation with the bombers, as well as looser escorts where the fighters might be flying a racetrack pattern or weaving above the same flight path (so they could keep their speed up to a more normal fighter cruise speed and be ready to pounce on any interceptors).  There were also cases where escort units might be assigned to sweep at some distance in front of the bomber force or along its flanks to try and head off any interceptors before they reached the bombers. 

 

Along with these different tactics, there were cases where the escort was instructed to stay with the bombers at all costs, as well as the reverse where the escort was encouraged to go score kills.

[Avimimus]

Some Lisunov Li-2 crews actually told their escorts to ignore orders and fly in formation - since nine top gunners could deter German fighters (sometimes by firing outside of range), but two I-16s could easily by butchered by a larger formation of Bf-109s:

 

Quote

"Generally speaking, the situation with fighters was poor. They gave us fighters, but it might be just one or two fighters. But what are two fighters to escort nine transports? This is nonsense! I don’t want to demean the fighter pilots, but we often said to them, “Please, hold closer to us, because if you get separated from us, a battle will erupt and it won’t be good for you; and we also can provide some cover for you.” But what was an I-16 in comparison to a Bf-109?"

Source: Interview with Olga Mikhaylovna Lisikova – Lend-Lease

 

P.S. Another take-away from this is that fighter pilots often had a better sense of self-preservation than is modelled in sims. They often didn't like flying towards tracers (even if some heroic events are remembered, such aggressive behaviour may not be as widespread as we think - especially among aces, who usually only achieved high kill counts through a mixture of luck and caution).