What follows is the raw text from a RareAviation.com document available for download. This text can be helpful if you would like to confirm the document contains specific information you are interested in. Title: German Fighter Tactics Against B-17 Flying Fortresses Link: https://rareaviation.com/product/german-fighter-tactics-against-b-17-flying-fortresses --- RAW UNFORMATTED TEXT BELOW --- HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR FORCEOffice of the Commanding GeneralIn replyrefer tot452.1Restricted Classification'Removed PerExecutive Order 10501AAF Sta SSLAPO 633, U.S. Army8 December 1943SUBJECT: German Fighter Tactics against Flying Fortresses.TOt See Distribution.1. The attached report on German fighter tactics used against Flying For-tresses of the Eighth Air Force has been prepared by the 3rd Bombardment Division,VIII Bomber Command for the use of operations, intelligence and gunnery officersin the instruction of combat crews. This report together with the thirteen (13)tactics diagrams annexed thereto can be assumed to be accurate as of 1 November ( .1943. \2. It is believed that this intelligence material will be of interest toother air Force units.3. Several methods of using this material seem readily to,suggest them-selves, as:a.the walls ofThe enlargement of tactics diagrams to poster size for display orTcombat crew reading rooms;Theprocess for use inreproduction of tactics diagrams by photographic or otherbalopt!cans or epidiascopes;reproduction of the series of diagrams on a single sheetx 24") for use at interrogations;c. The(approximately 18"Carefully prepared "chalk talks" based on tactics diagrams; andd.In conjunction with aircraft recognition trainingBy command of Lieut .General EAKER:1 Ind:ReportColonel, AGOAdjutant Generalcn German Fighter Tactics against Flying Fortresses.beDistribution:15 - C.G, U.S.A.A.F. 405 - A.C. of A.S, Intelligence, U.S.A.A.F. 525 - A.C. of a.S, Operations, U.S.A.A.F. 50025 - Commandant, m.a.F.a.I .3., Harrisburg 603 - C.G. j Material Command, Wright Field 1025 - Commanding General, a.A.F.S.a.T., Orlando 510 - C.G, First U.S.a.A.F. 2510 - C.G., Second U.S.A.A.F. 610 - C.G., Third U.S.A.A.F. 210 - C.G., Fourth U.S.a.A.F. 10175 - C.G., Ninth ^ir ForceC.G., N.A.A.F., APO 650C.G., E.T.0.U.S.A.C.G., VIII B.C. < iC.G,, VIII F.C. M.C. G ., VIII A.F.C.C. yvAir Tech.Section, E.T.0.U.S.A.D. a.T., air Ministry, Whitehall S.W.1A.1.2(g) ir Ministry, Monck St.a.1.3 (USA) Air Ministry, Monck St.Staff and Special Staff Sections,this headquarters.L, ' l Uu-B-S-*R=I=e-T-5-9btained from RareAviation.com.R-E-3=T-R- I=t>T-EgI3D BOMBARDMENT divisionOffice of A. C. of S., a-2APO 63411 November 1943GERMAN FIGHTER TACTICS GAINST FLUNG FORTRESSES.Attached are the first 13 of a series of diagrams showing tactics used byGerman fighter pilots in attacks against Flying Fortresses of the 3d BombardmentDivision. Attached also are diagrams (A and B) of prescribed group and standardcombat wing formations.These diagrams are based on a careful study of attacks made by enemy fightersover a period of six months. During this time hundreds of different bomber crewshave brought back details of enemy attacks. More than 2,500 separate encountershave been reported, analyzed and diagrams drawn of the manoeuvers. An analysis ofthis information has revealed that enemy tactics can be divided into a number ofstandard patterns. While there are minor variations of these patterns, the tacticspresented here are the standard attacks which are now in use.The accuracy of the diagrams has been verified by several hundred experiencedbomber crews as well as by numerous operations officers. Their reliability hasalso been checked by a number of fighter pilots who have escorted B-17 formations.It is emphasized that individual crews may have seen attacks which vary fromthese standard patterns. The Hun is an opportunist and is quick to change hisapproach if he can get in a better shot. However, these are the basic manoeuversand the variations are the exception. It is also emphasized that the ranges atwhich attacks begin and end may vary from those shown here. Ranges given on thediagrams are representative and should be considered as averages.Tactics Lessons'1 included on the diagrams have been suggested by Brig .GeneralLe May and by numerous gunnery and operations officers. The brief lessons now onthe diagrams are but an outline, and should be elaborated upon by officers in eachgroup who lecture to combat crews.Combat intelligence is of no value unless it is passed on to those who can useit. It is believed that all crews, both old and new, should find these diagrams ofenemy tactics both interesting and valuable. By knowing and understanding thestandard manoeuvers of enemy fighters new crews can profit more from the lessonslearned by experienced crews in the past. The did slogan, "Fore-warned is fore-armed" is especially true in sending out green crews to meet the best fighter pilotsof the entire Luftwaffe. New crews will be better able to take care of themselvesif they have studied these tactics and know what to expect. ,Once canbat crews acquire a clear picture of tactics used in the past theywill be better equipped to outwit their opponents in the air. They will also bequick to distinguish between dd and new tactics. Thus they should develop intobetter aerial observers and be able to bring back to their L-2 officers a clearerand more accurate description of what they see.It is believed these diagrams will be of value to gunnery officers lecturingon enemy tactics. They should also bring new'life to aircraft recognition classes,since the best way of maintaining interest is to discuss tactics of individualenemy fighters as crews are learning to recognize them. Intelligence officers alsoshould be able to secure a clearer picture of enemy tactics from interrogations ifa copy of these diagrams is kept on the interrogation table for quick reference.Tactics change from month to month. In their desperation at losing the airwar, the Germans will develop new aircraft and use old aircraft in new ways andwith new weapons. These changes must be noted immediately, reported accurately tothe Division A-2, and disseminated to all groups.This particular report is to'be considered the first edition of a series. Allgroup officers and crews who have occasion to use it are encouraged to offersuggestions for the second edition. as variations of did tactics are observed, ornew attacks developed by the enemy, reports will be made and distributed by thisdivision. . - /ion .com.From PilotMariuals-.com J-^areAviation.comTHE ROCKETEERS(Diagram No.l)High Squadron of High Group,of any can bat wing, butusually of last over target*LEFT(Stacked upby elements)RIGHTLOWHIGHRIQiTLOT-EFTHIGHTACTICS DESCRIPTIONThis tactics was first employed onthe Schweinftirt mission, 14 October.In line-abreast, the single enginee/a approach on level or slightlyhigher position. Aircraft A, B,C and D, after firing their rocketprojectiles, peel off as indicatedin diagram. Aircraft E and F, whichare not equipped with rocketarmament, close in to attack anyFortresses which may have beencrippled by the rocket projectilesor which may, for any other reason,seem to straggle. How dose air-craft E and F press heme theirattacks depends upon the prospectof a "kill".NOTEs This same line-abreastformation is used by twin-enginee/a when firing rocket projectiles%After the projectiles are fired,the twin-engine e/a often dost infor cannon attack.TACTICS LESSONIts a two-to-one bet that the e/awhich will dose in for attack is orare located in the center of theformation. THE STRAGGLERS NUMBER ISUP. KEEP IK FORMATION AT ALL COSTAFTER EXPLOSION OF ROCKET PROJECTILES,,The tail gunner (officer) in FortressNo.l must be alert to this attack andwarn formation leader when e/a arejockeying into position.PONT BE LED AWAY FROM MAIN ATTACK BYE/ftJ>.EELING_pDONT WASTE AMMUNITION ON LONG SHOTS.The best defense against rocket attacksfrom the rear is slight weaving of theformation. Due to high trajectory andlow velocity of rockets, slight weavingwill carry the formation out of theeffective range of bursts.Single engine e/a (usually 5 or 6, in line-abreast), astern and levd or slightly higher,at ranges frem 1,200 to 2,000 yards. A, B,C andD are equipped with rocket armament; E and F,without.Obtained from RareAviation.com.Lead Squadron of High Group,any Canbat WingTHE TRIPLE THREAT(Diagram Nc.2)TACTICS DESCRIPTION/SOO ydsCBreak-aways are made as follows:B l5OOTds.ydoes wing-vp break-sway to left at300 yds, and dives until out ofrange.does wing-up break-sway to leftat 800 yds.11 \ o'clock\ highdoes slow roll and belly-up dive(the Split S") at 500 yds.,pulling out to left when wellbelow.1 / o'clock/ high12|o'dockhighThe same diving attacks are oftenmade from the rear of Fortressformations. FS-190s and Me-109scan and do make these angularattacks, singly and head-onHIGH or from astern. Such attackscan be made from any dockposition from 10-to-2 orfreesThis manoeuver, as practically all other,head-on attacks, is performed by single Iengine aircraft. The fighters, flyingparallel to Fortresses as indicated indiagram, pull ahead into positions at11, 12 and 1 oclock for commencementof their respective dives. At this timethey are approximately 2,000/2,500 yardsahead and 500 yards above level of thesquadron to be attacked. They appear tobe converging as they come head-onC:B:(Stacked downby elements)LEFTRIGHTHIGHRIGHT LEFTSometimes, (as was done by "Goering'sAbbeville Kids" in the Stuttgartmission on 6 September 1943), the divesare extended as indicated by theblack lines in diagram, with slowrolls and belly-up dives (Hlit "S")underneath the squadron.LOWFW-190s orMe109s,flyingparallelto and outof rangeand 500yardsabove levelof B-17s.4-to-8TACTICS LESSONA slight turn will makethese attacks a deflection shotA slight dive or climb willuncover more turrets.all ofObtained from RareAviation.com.From PilotManuals.com / RareAviation.comLow Squadron of High Group,any Canbat WingTAIL GMMR'L HEADACHE(Diagram No.3)(Stacked downby elements)RIGHTLEFTHIGHLOWJ4 Ms-1091at 1200/1500 yds.TACTICS DESCRIPTIONIn this manoeuver, four single-enginefighters (usually Me-109s) formate at 6:30o'clock, level, at from 1,200 to 1,500 yardsaway. Enemy aircraft A and B do "wing-up"breakaways after approaching to 800-ya rdrangej aircraft D closes to 700 yards andbreaks away to the right, "wing-up". AircraftC closes to 600 yards or less, doing a slowroll followed by a break-off to the left.The same tactics can be employed withinthe ranges of 4:30 to 8:30 o'clock, in levelattacks against- a/c No. 5 or a/c No.6 ineither the low or high squadrons of highgroup.TACTICS LESSONThis manoeuver is conventional and itspurpose is to confuse the tail gunner and tokeep him guessing. If the gunner follows inhis sight a plane which breaks away, he permitscue or more of the remaining planes to close inon him. DON'T BE LED AWAY FROM THE MAIN ATTACK!FORGET THE PLANE WELCH BREAKS AWAY!Obtained from RareAviation.com.double qil&uk(Diagram No. 4)Lead Squadron of Lead Groupusually of 1st Canbat Wingover target.(Yk12 oclock, high,at 4,000 yards or11 oclock, high,TACTICS DESCRIPTION4444444-On either side of the squadron and at a distance of approximately 2,000 yards, thesingle-engine fighters queue up for attacks in trains. They are about 500 yardsabove the level of the lead souadron, flying a parallel course. These formationsvary, but at points (X) and (Y) the fighters are in trains of two or three to the side,ready for alternating dives, with from 5 to 10 seconds intervals between. In otherwords, two or three e/a, in train, dive from point (X), then two or three e/a, intrain, from point (Y). The procedure is repeated until all planes (sometimes 18 ormore to the side) have taken their turns in diving.Fighters diving from point (X) pass under the lead squadron, while the e/a from point(Y) do a shallow dive, a slow roll, then a belly-up dive (Split "S") when within 500yards (or less) of the lead element of the squadron. The low souadron can be attackedin same manner./The same tactics are employed in dives through the formation, i.e.. between the leadand low squadrons or between the lead and high scuadrons.TACTICS LESSONIf these attacks are not properly coordinated, it is a gamtie to take evasive actionagainst either of them; if they are coordinated, the nose attack with no deflectionis most dangerous. Dont give the fighters a no-deflection shot.Obtained from RareAviation.com.From PjlotManuals.com / RareAviation.comTHE HOLLER COASTER(Diagram No. 5)Lead Squadron of Low Grcwq?,any wingTACTICS DESCRIPTIONTACTICS LESSONFW-19O orVe -109 at12 o'clock,high, at2,500 to 4,yards.Obtained from RareAviation.com.From 12 o'clock, high, single-engine fighter (FW-190 or Me-109)dives from distance of 2,500 to 4,000 yards to point (Y), about800 to 1,000 yards from nose of lead ForL"