It was the activity and
daring of the French fliers upon these high speed machines which
induced the German airmen to change their tactics. Individual
effort and isolated raiding operations were abandoned in favour
of what might be described as combined or squadron attack. Six
or eight machines advancing together towards the French lines
somewhat nonplussed these fleet French mosquito craft, and to
a certain degree nullified their superiority in pace. Speed
was discounted, for the simple reason that the enemy when so
massed evinced a disposition to fight and to follow harassing
tactics when one of the slowest French machines ventured into
the air.
It is interesting to observe that aerial operations, now that
they are being conducted upon what may be termed methodical lines
as distinct from corsair movements, are following the broad
fundamental principles of naval tactics. Homogeneous squadrons,
that is, squadrons composed of vessels of similar type and armament,
put out and follow roughly the "single line ahead" formation.
Upon sighting the enemy there is the manoeuvring for position
advantage which must accrue to the speedier protagonist.
Pages:
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315