COL. GEORGE A. WALKER
FORMER COMMANDING OFFICER
49TH FIGHTER GROUP
P-38

Colonel Walker contributed a large part in the development of long range missions in this theatre and participated in the first raid on Balikpapan.

      1. Basic formation used is the sixteen airplane squadron, four ship flights, and two ship elements.

      2. An attempt is always made to have a four ship flight fight as a unit. This combination has sufficient maneuverability and fire-power to take care of itself in a fight. However, in a big dogfight the squadron usually ends up in two ship elements as the fighting teams. It is imperative that they work together and never leave each other.

      3. This teamwork consists of the wingman flying wide in the attack which enables him to cross over at anytime for a deflection shot if the element leader cannot get the proper lead. The Nip fighter, being more maneuverable than our aircraft, will turn sharply and attempt to end up on our tail. Thus as the Nip turns, the wingman positions himself so he gets a deflection shot. The wingman in this combination is as much of a shooter as the element leader. When in a tight spot the element flys almost abreast and keeps turning toward each other forming figure eights, each getting head-on passes at any Nip fighter that is on the tail of the other. This method of mutual support is the most satisfactory defense against superior numbers.

      4. The Nip rarely fights as a team and breaks up when attacked. In general he is a poor shot and if he loses three or four aircraft at the beginning of a fight, he is prone to decide that it's time to quit.

      5. Individual evasive action in a P-38 is to make a high speed skidding shallow climb if distance permits. If the attacker is within firing range a violent uncoordinated maneuver is the best. Throwing the wheel into the forward corner with a full aileron roll will result in a skidding three-quarter barrel roll ending up at very high speed, and then climbing at high speed. It is almost impossible to get a lead on an airplane in such a maneuver, and it has proven very effective in losing the attacker altogether. Another maneuver, when the attacker is within firing range, is to put the airplane into a turn and as soon as you expect fire, throw the aileron hard into the turn which causes the airplane to slide downward spoiling the attackers lead until one can get a break to get away.

      6. It is never good to attempt to dive away from a Nip fighter in a P-38, but as soon as possible get into a high speed climb or out-run him on the level.

      7. The Nip fighters evasion is usually coordinated acrobatics which enables our pilots to determine deflection lead quite easily; ours, on the other hand, are always uncoordinated maneuvers.