[Six Nifty .50s]

Except when surprise was on their side, escort fighter pilots (of any air force) rarely held the initiative if flying top cover.

The bombers were the attackers, while the fighter escort mission was largely defensive in nature. When and if the numbers of fighter escorts increased dramatically, some might venture further afield to hunt for targets of opportunity. Otherwise the escorts could only react to enemy counterattacks, which tended to occur at a time and place of the enemy's own choosing.

To radar interpreters, all this looked much like a naval battle, with destroyers and other small ships trying to form a screen of protection against intruders. The principles did not change so much as the machinery.