R4/M attack tactics
 

Hello everybody

I wonder if anybody could elaborate on the tactics used by JG 7 and JV 44 to perform their attacks using this rockets??.

I have read that the weapon could be launched in salvos or individually but...their use was left to the pilot's will or it was indeed an official/recommended tactic for its usage??

Any records of single launches to attack allied bombers?

Thanks in advance for your inputs gentlemen

Oscar

Re: R4/M attack tactics
 

As far as I'm aware, the textbook tactics for a rocket attack looked like this (after A. Price "Luftschlecht ueber Deutschland):
the fighters climbed to a position some 5000 m behind enemy bomber formation and 2000 m above it, then they dived in a column, reaching some 850 km/h, breaking through enemy fighters' cover. As the speed was too high to attack bombers, Me 262s were flying to a point approx. 1600 m behind the target and 450 m below it, then the German pilots reduced thrust and climbed to the target's altitude, reaching it some 300 m behind the bombers, still being some 160 km/h faster. R4Ms were fired in a salvo at a choosen bomber from 200 m, followed by cannon fire, then the fighters broke off from the bombers accelerating again and climbing above them to avoid falling debris.

Regards

Grzesiu

Re: R4/M attack tactics
 

Truly clarifying Grzesio. Especially because that explanation talks about the firing of salvos, which probably would be of 12 or 24 rockets, depending on the target and the attack characteristics.

I have heard, however, that as the pneumatic fire control of the R4M rockets allowed that, some pilots preferred selective attack using single shots instead of massive salvos, but this is a thing I haven't been able to proof or read in any Me262 or JG 7/JV 44 dedicated book so far...

Thaks again

Oscar

Re: R4/M attack tactics
 

The R4M was ripple fired in 4 salvoes of 6 missles, 0.07seconds apart from a range of 600m. It was all or nothing.