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Old 11th February 2006, 19:11
kb kb is offline
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kb
Re: Luftwaffe Fight Tactics (early 1944)

In the timeframe you enquired about (Apr/May 1944) the primary tactic by the Luftwaffe was to mass their single engined fighter units in combat groups (Gefechtsverband) at an assembly point ahead of the US bomber formations, then vector the formation into position to execute a mass frontal attack against the US combat wings which could overwhelm the return fire of the bomber formation and preempt interception by US escort fighters; when executed properly as done for example on 6 March 1944, the effect was devastating.

During this time an experimental Luftwaffe unit known as Sturmstaffel 1 was completing experiments with tactics to successfully launch mass attacks from the rear against US bombers. This was pioneered in part by recognition that the declining level of training of fighter pilots hindered their ability to successfully execute the high speed frontal attacks initially favored. Utilizing heavily armed and armored FW190s Sturmstaffel 1 would approach to close range in a line abreast formation before opening fire on US bomber formations, with the initial objective of silencing the rear gunner, then destroying the enemy aircraft. The results attained persuaded the Luftwaffe to form specialized fighter groups called Sturmgruppen, which conducted their first sorties later in May.

From June 1944 onward what significant successes the Luftwaffe achieved against US bomber formations can be credited almost entirely to the Sturmgruppen (IV/JG3, II/JG4, II/JG300).
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