Originally Posted by T}{OR (Post 202311)

There is a clear distinction between bomber and fighter formations. ;)


Lets talk about fighter formations first:

According to Wikipedia the Luftwaffe was the first to use a finger four formation in World War II. This tactic consisted of two pairs (Rotte) flying together (in a Schwarm): the leader and his wingman, and leader's "deputy" and his wingman. This gave them an advantage over outdated 3 plane VIC's that RAF flew in the beginning which required all three planes firing at the bombers, and while in formation at the same time (for "added punch" of all their guns combined).

As anyone who has ever flown in formation will tell you: when in a formation you're not flying at your top speed, and your maneuvers are strictly limited. Needles to say, this outdated 3 plane VIC attack strategy was invented by someone had no idea on how to attack a bomber stream. Logically, the tactic was abandoned in favor of the finger four formations and flying in pairs (and not attacking while flying in formation, naturally).

I would be interested to know when it was abandoned, prior or during BoB - because it might be another cool feature we could see in SoW - 3 plane VIC's attacking bombers...


Anyway, back to the bomber formations. Lets discuss basics:

• A bomber stream usually consist of many groups flying in formation.
• A group (Gruppe) formation consists of several squadrons (Staffel) flying together, or just a single squadron.
• A group/squadron formation consist of elements. Element (Kette) is a basic formation, and depending how Elements are arranged one to another and in relation to the leader - defines a formation type.
• Elements can number from 3 to (usually) 7 planes or even more.
• The smallest element is a 3 plane VIC formation with one plane flying on each wing of the leader. Small elements can form larger elements.

So, we are talking about Elements here.

Bombers depended on their defensive guns - the goal was to put as many defensive guns on each side of the formation, and to spread them out evenly. Therefore a finger four would be an incomplete formation for an element, and you would need to add another plane to it. In other words - you need a VEE formation with 2 planes on each wing of the leader.

From my understanding, some of the formation types Luftwaffe used were:

• 5 plane VEE formations (Elements) stacked one behind and below another (~5 such VEE's forming a group). With more groups flying nearby (i.e. one on each side of the lead group).
• 3 plane VIC formations (smaller elements), stacked closely behind and below one (forming a large element), with other large elements flying on each side of the lead one - all together forming a group.
• 3 plane VIC formations (smaller elements), with additional elements on each side of the lead element (forming a large element), with other such elements flying behind or behind and below one another.

^^
The last one (just a large element) or a bomber Schwärme with 3 plane VIC formations (smaller elements or Kette), we were able to see in preview videos released so far.


I hope that this answers your question why I am interested in what is the limit on how many planes per element and what kind of formations will bombers fly in SoW. :)


This is something we were never able to experience in IL2 as the limit per element was only 4 planes. While IIRC (I never played the game) Rowan's Battle of Britain: Wings of Victory simulates this very nicely.

Originally Posted by Oleg Maddox (Post 202400)

Yes, it is for triggers.

Originally Posted by Flying_Nutcase (Post 202363)

Hi Oleg,

- As mentioned by others, at least the ability to add images to briefings (for 'recon' and 'intel' photos). Being able to add video would be a nice extra, but photos would be a huge improvement over just text.

Originally Posted by Former_Older (Post 202408)

Looks like a fairly good selection of options so far

I know this is WIP.

Will we have option to set damage on aircraft?