Development of the Schwarm

[SES]

Originally Posted by Mikkel Plannthin

I'm in the middle of reading Johnson's 'Full Circle' which is mentioned by SES. I find it very interesting in understanding the more tactical side of combat fighting. Highly recommendable.

Mikkel

Hi Mikkel,
Glad you enjoyed it. It's an absolute classic if one wants to understand the evolution of fighter tactics and formations.
bregds
SES

[Juha]

IIRC at the beginning of the Winter War against Finland (30.11.39 - 13.3.40) Soviet fighters usually flew in vics, this according to Finns.

And according to Finnish sources during late 30s in Soviet literature there were discussion on the firing patterns of fighter vics, the idée was that the wingmen fired with their leader and so increased the fire density. But of course that was too rigid system for real life, similarly as were the FC’s formal attack patterns.

Finns also developed the 2 plane and 4 plane fighter formations in late 30s but my impression is that many times Finnish pilots were too individualistic to stick in those formations and often everybody just went after their own targets. The Finns often worked in ”target rich” environment.

[Ruy Horta]

Originally Posted by Juha

IIRC at the beginning of the Winter War against Finland (30.11.39 - 13.3.40) Soviet fighters usually flew in vics, this according to Finns.

It doesn't surprise me, but I seem to recall that the Soviets were experimenting with combat formations and actually going back a step (during after the purches).