Bf109 information, lighting a fuse and running for cover!

[ACE-OF-ACES]

Originally Posted by CaptainDoggles

but it's hard to make an accurate judgment because by 1944 the Luftwaffe was in a sorry state and I can't imagine many engagements occurred on equal terms. More likely the USAAF were gang-banging the Luftwaffe fighters from above with superior numbers.

I agree with everything you said.. except that above

It is a bit of a myth.. Not saying that never happened, only that it was not the case in all cases

First thing you have to consider is that it is harder to play defence.. The US planes had to out number the enmy because they had to cover the B17s from all sides.. Left, Right, Rear, and Front.. Where as the Lw would gather up all thier planes and make an attack from one of those sides..

For example, say there were 100 escorts and only 40 enemy planes attacking

The 100 would be split up into 25 rear, 25 left, 25 right, and 25 front.. So if the Lw attacked with all 40 planes from the left.. it would result in a 40 vs 25 fight.. Now conisder that most of these fights only lasted a few min.. It was over by the time the other three groups would make their way over to the fight

So, in that case you can see that 'per fight' it was not allways the case that the Lw was out numbered.. As in 5 US vs 1 Lw.. If anything it was the other way around

And before anyone jumps me here.. Note I am not saying this was the case in every case.. All I am pointing out is the idea a Lw 109 fighter was allways outnumbered (jumped by 4 or more Mustangs) in every case is a myth