"WWI fighter group sizes" Topic

What size groupings did WWI fighters fly around in, on the way to (and maybe back from) a dogfight?

I suspect there's no easy answer to this – it was an era of experimentation and rapid development, after all – but the answer(s) so far elude(s) me. I don't have any idea whatsoever, because all the materials I've collected only discuss plane characteristics, individual maneuvers, and famous pilots.

Summaries, reference works, and pointers to other discussions all appreciated.

- Ix

It depends on the year, the front, and the mission. Assuming the Western Front, there was a progression from solo pilots, to pairs, to 3-5 plane vics, to mass formations.

There's no easy answer to the original question. 79th PA has the progression right. That evolved as technology, strategy, and aerial tactics developed. Also, how valuable the mission was would determine how many aircraft to devote to it. You also have to consider total numbers of aircraft and the ground war situation. If, for example you had to concentrate aircraft into larger formations because of the importance of one mission, it would possibly leave you with minimum numbers available to cover other areas, meaning pairs or individual aircraft. Also, on the return from dogfights, any groups could be further fragmented: some lost in action, some damaged and withdrew from the fight early to limp home, some would get driven from the immediate area of the fight and find themselves isolated to make their own way home, others might start home in a group but develop mechanical problems that force them to land en route. In a way that unpredictability has always been part of the fascination with the period for me: every flight can be a unique adventure despite all starting off similarly. Hope this helps.