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During my experiences in operating against the Japanese Air Force there have been evident certain characteristics and traits peculiar to the Japanese as airmen. A knowledge and an understanding of these characteristics is necessary in order to effectively combat the Jap.
First, the quality of the pilots encountered has decreased. It appears that the Jap Air Force consolidates a group of experienced pilots into a few "Hot" outfits instead of spreading these men (and their experience) evenly throughout all it's units. One example was the "Cherry Blossom Hiko-Sentai" which covered the Bismark Sea Convoy in March 1943. Recently, we have engaged a few Japanese fighter pilots who have shown exceptional skill and aggressiveness. The Jap fighter planes have all been very maneuverable and when flown by an experienced pilot become a most difficult target to destroy. Fortunately however, the majority or Japanese pilots encountered are not of this calibre. They are excellent stick and rudder men, but their weakness is that all their maneuvers are evenly coordinated. They make use of sharp turns and aerobatic maneuvers, seldom using skids, slips, or violent uncoordinated maneuvers in their evasive tactics. Another characteristic of the younger pilots is their definite lack of alertness. In many recent instances we have engaged enemy fighters and they made no effort to evade our initial attack, evidently because they didn't see us.
Pilots have reported that in addition to being "surprised", many of the Jap pilots are either frightened or bewildered, once their formation has been split up, and they make little or no effort to evade attack. I have destroyed several fighters recently when they have tried to dive away or make shallow climbing turns. Any one of these Nips could have taken a shot at me if he had utilized his superior maneuverability and climb.
In order to effectively attack the Jap, YOU MUST SEE HIM FIRST. If he has an altitude advantage, it is desirable to either climb up to his level or get above him before attacking. You cannot wait to decide what he is going to do; you must plan your attack as you go into action. If your attack is sudden and aggressive, the enemy will beat a disadvantage regardless of his numbers and position. Do not wait; attack immediately and pick your targets with the intent to destroy.
We attack as a squadron, but fight in elements of two. The wing man and his element leader are inseparable and form a most flexible combat team. No matter how the fight progresses all friendly fighters must re main in the same relative area in order to give each other mutual protection. If a fighter becomes separated from his element, he must join another fighter immediately.
In attacking any Japanese formation it is essential that you pick out a definite target, then close to effective firing range before cutting loose. Each time you shoot at an enemy plane, observe your errors and correct them in your next attack.
As for identification, we have definitely proven that a pilot isn't within firing range until he can see the roundels on the wings and fuselage of the target plane, and certainly if a pilot can see roundels, he knows that the airplane is hostile.
When attacking a superior formation of enemy fighters, we approach at high speed, either on the same level or from above. Our intent is to destroy two or three in the initial attack and scatter their formation. When the enemy formation has been broken, it is possible to pick them off individually. Every effort must be made to reduce the angle of deflection while within firing range. Most kills are made on enemy fighters when the attack is made with less than 20 degrees deflection. Upon meeting a force superior in numbers, it is necessary that everyone attack together. Hit and run is still a most effective tactic if you hit fast and hard.
When attacking an inferior force we use only the strength necessary and always maintain a flight or an element as top cover. If we see a single Jap plane and suspect a decoy, we send in an element to make the kill, while the remainder of the flight or flights wait for the fighters to dive out of the clouds.
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In actual combat the pilot must forget his airplane and fly entirely by feel. If he has to be upside down in order to attack a Nip, then he must shoot from that position. Many inexperienced pilots are hesitant to throw their airplane around, but in a fight they must be prepared to execute maneuvers that they haven't tried before. When breaking away from an attack, we maintain speed and make a turn away from the target ship. We never fly straight and level during an engagement, and usually are Sing, climbing or diving all of the time. The reason is that by constantly changing direction, we are never in one position long enough for the hostile pilots to make a successful attack. |
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SUMMARY OF OFFENSIVE TACTICS
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Concerning defensive tactics, here again the pilot must maintain constant vigilance in order to spot the enemy in time to avoid his attack. In the event of attack by enemy fighters, warn the flight and at the same time turn sharply into the attackers. The higher their speed, the less chance they have of damaging your airplane. Never try to "dive out" of a fight; a dive is to be used only to get initial speed. By diving, you remain in the same relative position except for lose of altitude - you do not remove yourself laterally from the combat area. Always turn sharply into the attacking airplane or planes, then dive enough to obtain a speed of 300 - 400 MPH. Level out in a turn and if the Nip is still on your tail, skid, slip and change direction continually, maintaining a 500 to 1000 ft/min climb. Soon he will be out of range and you can smooth out your climb.
If you are attacked by surprise from the rear, the most effective maneuver I have ever used is a sharp skidding aileron barrel roll to the right. Throw the wheel or stick hard over with a slight push-over added and let the plane do the rest. You will probably put a crack in the canopy with your head, but you present a most difficult target for the Nip.
Whenever possible, meet the attacking plane with your fire. There are few true head-on passes and with the concentrated fire-power of our fighters, you have a good chance of destroying the Jap.
Should you be leading an element of a flight and attack by hostile fighters is imminent, move out to the side away from the enemy in order that you will have enough room to turn into them and cover your flight leader.
Most important in defense is mutual protection. Always
maintain the element and when engaging the enemy in combat stay in the same
general combat area. Sixty per cent of the pilots we lose have become separated
from their element or flight. About twenty-five per cent are killed because
they try to fly AWAY from an attack and do not resort to violent maneuvering
in order to avoid the hostile fire. This may be caused by any number of things,
however, fear and indecision are important factors.
SUMMARY OF DEFENSIVE TACTICS. |
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