[ChrisMAg2]

A little addition:
The germans did train and use all three formations:
2 a/c, Rotte (wing, consisting of wingleader [Rottenführer] and wingman)
3 a/c, Kette ("V" or Vic)
4 a/c, Schwarm, the RAF called it AFAIK "The four fingers". The RAF and the USAAF adopted this to their 4 in diagonal line formation somewhen around BoB.

The "Kette" was in deed proven to be ineffetive (too rigid and unflexible) and use was later drastically lessened.