Colonel Edwin A. Doss COMMANDING OFFICER 35th FIGHTER GROUP P-47   Col. Doss is a VFC veteran and original member of the 35th, having flown 450 combat hours and 219 combat missions. He has contributed much to the development of long range fighter tactics in this theatre. He has the D.F.C. with one Cluster and the A.M. with two Clusters.

On offensive sweeps the diamond type of squadron formation is flown. A fight always starts in one of two ways, either the squadron goes down to attack, or the squadron is itself attacked, usually from above. The flights should be dispersed to give maximum protection to everyone involved. In the event that there are only a few enemy planes, the squadron leader can dispatch one or two flights to deal with the enemy, the remaining flights taking a position off to one side so that maximum coverage of the fight may be maintained, and too, the flights should be into the sun if possible. In case a large number of enemy planes are sighted a squadron attack should be delivered, provided we have the initial advantage. NEVER start a fight at a disadvantage. After contact is made, a squadron formation is impossible to maintain, whereupon the fighting breaks down into flights, and even further to elements and individual combat. A man fighting alone is at a definite disadvantage and is uncalled for. Every effort should be made to maintain a flight formation at all times.

Flights are many times unavoidably split up, in which case the elements should remain intact, and should attempt to rejoin into a flight formation as soon as possible. The enemy thinks twice before attacking a well formed flight, whereas an individual is always in trouble avoiding the enemy who invariably "gang up" on the individual fighter. In individual flight combat, full advantage of the airplane must be taken at all tines, and combat where the enemy is superior must be avoided. This may seem obvious, but to elucidate, we know that the enemy fighters are much superior in turning, and possess remarkable ability to hang on their props. Our fighters are much superior in high climbs and shallow dives. Below 15,000 feet, the rate of climb at high angle favors the enemy, but our fighters are capable of climbing from 2300 to 3300 ft/min at 200 MPH. For the enemy to maintain the above mentioned rate of climb, his indicated speed must of necessity be in the neighborhood of 150 MPH. Hence we possess a 50 mile speed advantage. In using the speed advantage, and attack is made, the flight pulls away in a high speed climb, then turns about for another attack. It is a great temptation to follow an enemy fighter in a climb, and it is possible to do so for a short distance. Never get below 200 MPH in a climbing combat and in level flight 250 MPH is a good speed which affords a maximum of protection and maneuverability. In combat it is impossible to maintain complete coverage of the area, and usually when a flight or individual gets below 200 MPH, he is setting himself up for some enemy. REMEMBER THAT STEEP ANGLE LOW SPEED CLIMBS ARE NOTHING SHORT OF SHEER SUICIDE. Above 2,000 feet the advantage in climb favors our fighters.

The enemy always attempts to get into circle combat, and this should be avoided. "Fancy" maneuvers, though pretty to watch are invitations to disaster. The enemy does not like to swap head-on passes because of our superior firepower. Care should be exercised to initiate the breakaway not because of the suicidal intentions of the enemy pilot, but should he be dead, mid-air collisions are likely to result. The breakaway should be effected at high speeds, since the enemy has the ability to whip on to your tail if another attack is attempted before a safe distance out has been reached.

Lt. Warren G. Wycoff helped the 40th Sq. knock down 14 of 14 Nip bombers attempting to strike our Mindoro invasion landing convoy.

When the flight is attacking the enemy, should he start a severe turn, the lead element will usually break away, thus giving the second element an opportunity to get in a shot, after which it too breaks away, then joins the lead element again. The same is true for wingmen. There are numerous occasions where the wingman can get in the only effective shot. It is a bad policy to press the attack for any length of time, because while being absorbed in malting the attack, other enemy fighters may have time to make an attack upon you while you are not looking. It is not considered good policy to sacrifice a great deal of altitude in order to press home an attack, particularly when there are many enemy fighters in the area. There are usually enough enemy fighters on the same flight level to afford plenty of combat. Maintaining altitude is like money in the bank, when you don't have any, you usually wish you did have some. This does not always hold true, but it should be borne in mind.

When the squadron makes an attack, it is desirable, if possible, to have one flight hold back for awhile to act as top protection in case hitherto unseen enemy fighters attempt to join in the fight.

When pulling rated power, except in extreme emergencies, the flight leader should allow four feet of leeway for the rest of the flight. Experience has shown that to be sufficient for well schooled pilots.

When the squadron is attacked from above, the only alternative usually open to the top flight is to dive away. The squadron should never have so little warning that one of the lower flights cannot make a turn into the attackers. When the formation is of the typical diamond, the flight that is furthest away and down has the most time to avoid attack by turning and forcing the enemy into a head-on pass. The intermediate ones may have time to turn sufficiently to fire a few bursts, which sometimes scares them off. That ruse does not always work however, but the flight can always dive away if the disadvantage is too great. Owing to the high rate of roll and high push-over rate of the P-47, the best breakaway if attacked from six o'clock at fairly close range is to shove the stick into the right hand corner. It is impossible for the enemy, despite his great maneuverability, to apply sufficient lead to get a good shot. When a top flight dives away, it should do so under the other flights of the formation, in order for the other flights to ward off the attack.

After the combat has gone for 15 minutes, the squadron leader will give the radio signal for the squadron to clear the area and reform. The flight leaders should obey immediately so as to reduce the forming time to a minimum. This saves gallons of gasoline which is very important if operating at the extreme range of the airplane. The maximum daily operating range of the P-47D28 is 750 miles.

During the past few months this group has done considerable work in close support of the ground forces. These, missions include dive-bombing, skip-bombing, and strafing, The tactics employed vary with the type of target and the anti-aircraft fire expected.

The P-51 type aircraft is relatively new to this theatre. However, from our limited experience with this type airplane, we find it to be the ideal weapon for this type of work as well as being a superior aircraft for escort missions and fighter sweeps. The following discussion will be confined to tactics used with the P-51.

Bomb loads and fusing depends entirely upon the type of target to be attacked. Our best results have been obtained using 2 x 500 pounders or 2 x 500 pound fragmentation clusters. For Dive-bombing runways and landing strips we use a 1/10 second delay fuses. On all other dive-bombing missions an instantaneous fuse is used. For skip-bombing missions a three to five second delay fuse is necessary.

The types of targets we have attacked by dive-bombing and strafing include airdromes, bivouac areas, troop concentrations, ammunition and supply dumps, large bridges, and many similar targets. Skip-bombing attacks have been limited to small bridges, warehouses, and important enemy installations.

Our approach for dive-bombing is made at six thousand feet using evasive action going in. A steep dive is used with power off. The bombs are released at about two thousand feet. On targets where little anti aircraft fire is expected, we have found that ten degrees of flaps gives a slower diving speed and increases the bombing accuracy. Our breakaway is normal, using evasive action on the way out. On close support missions panels are used to mark the location of our troops and smoke is used to mark the target. All attacks are made parallel to our own front lines.

We have had great success in destroying many ground targets by coordinated attacks, with half of the flight dive-bombing and the other half skip-bombing at low level. By using these tactics, we have destroyed practically every target without a loss of pilot or plane.

Lt. Col. Thomas J. Lynch led the first P-38's in combat in the SWPA and established many of the basic principles contributing to their great success. His personal score was 20 victories, but his is a share in every Nip that falls before a P-38. In recognition of Col. Lynch's inspired leadership he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with five Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with nine Clusters, and the Purple Heart. KIA on a Corvette strafing mission over Aitape Harbor, New Guinea.

Return