"Operating in pairs?" Topic
7 Posts
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| mwindsorfw | 07 Oct 2018 9:44 a.m. PST |
In WW2, there was an emphasis on operating in pairs (a wingman). Was there the same thinking in WW1, or was it "every man for himself" once the fighting started? |
| rmaker | 07 Oct 2018 10:43 a.m. PST |
Pretty much every man for himself. No radios, so no easy means of cooperation. |
| McLaddie | 07 Oct 2018 11:22 a.m. PST |
Any tactics were 1. pre-planned and 2. follow the leader of the group, so pennants or plane colors were used for easy identification. That's it. It would be fun to game pre-planned tactics in initiating an engagement or follow-the-leader behaviors, but that's it. |
| mwindsorfw | 07 Oct 2018 12:18 p.m. PST |
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| Camcleod | 07 Oct 2018 6:53 p.m. PST |
From 'Dicta Boelcke' on Wikipedia: 7. Foolish acts of bravery only bring death. The Jasta (squadron) must fight as a unit with close teamwork between all pilots. The signals of its leaders must be obeyed. 8. For the Staffel (squadron): Attack in principle in groups of four or six. When the fight breaks up into a series of single combats, take care that several do not go for one opponent. |
| Dexter Ward | 08 Oct 2018 3:34 a.m. PST |
By late 1917 pilots operated in groups with wingmen protecting the leader. Signalling was done by waggling wings. |
| gfawcett | 09 Oct 2018 11:30 a.m. PST |
Tactical pairs, Leader and one wingman, were developed by the Germans during the Spanish Civil War. The Brits still used a Leader and two wingman (Vic) in the early part of WWII. |
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