Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

344 FIGHTER MISSIONS
Figure 9-6. Fighter-Escort Mission (Conclusion)
through most of the mission, strict adherence to strike timing is critical for
maximum effectiveness. The reception escort has also timed its sweep of
the southwestern airfield to coincide with the approach of the retreating
bomber formation. After passage of the main body, the reception escort
retires along the general exit route of the bombers.
At the start the American escort also made tactical mistakes. Instead of
operating offensively against our fighter units, they limited themselves to a
close direct escort. They tried to repulse our attacks in the close vicinity of
the bombers. In doing this they went through the same negative experiences
as we had done over England and Malta: the fighter pilot who is not at all
times and at any place offensive loses the initiative of action. The American
fighters learned and readjusted themselves. After January, 1944, they went
over to aggressive free-for-all fights in the approach sector. 3
This example demonstrates, without even getting into the fine points
about how each element would carry out its mission in the face of opposition,
that strike-escort planning and coordination can be a very complex
affair. It should also be apparent that a large number of escort assets might
be required for such a mission. If adequate assets are not available (and they
seldom are), some priorities must be assigned. Normally the most effective
element in defense of the strike group is the remote escort, closely followed
by independent (but coordinated) fighter sweeps. Some fighters
should usually be assigned to these missions before consideration is given
to other escort concepts. Detached escorts have proven to be next in
effectiveness. If additional aircraft are available, they can be assigned as
close escort or reception escort according to the anticipated requirements
and effectiveness of these tactics. Although the overall role of the fighter
escort is defensive, greater effectiveness can be achieved by maintaining an
offensive attitude through aggressive employment of fighter sweeps and