What formation required bombers to fly close together to help protect against enemy fighters?

The combat box
The combat box was a tactical formation used by heavy (strategic) bombers of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. The combat box was also referred to as a “staggered formation”.

Why did bombers fly in formation?

Heavy bombers flew in formation because, that was the most effective tactics against the enemy flak and fighter defense. A ‘Buncher’ signal was emitted by a radion beacon around which the bombers would circle for an hour while every flight got into the air.

How many bombers are in a formation?

The basic element of a typical formation was a squadron “box” of 9 or 12 aircraft; three squadron boxes staggered vertically and horizontally formed a group, and three groups in trail formed a combat wing.

What is formation pattern bombing?

Formations were designed to protect heavy bombers against fighter attack and to concentrate the bomb pattern on the target. These formations evolved over time to counter enemy tactics and to adjust for the increasing numbers of heavy bombers involved.

Why did ww2 planes fly in formation?

In WWII, bombers flew in relatively tight formations for two reasons; the first was to enable them to mass machine gun fire from multiple aircraft against attacking fighters and to make it difficult for thise fighters to fly through the formation, the second was to concentrate the bombs on the target.

What is a box formation?

A formation consisting of four aircraft in a diamond shape. The member rear to the leader is called the box man.

How close do planes fly in formation?

In a tight formation, such as is typically seen at an air show, aircraft may fly less than three feet (one metre) apart and must move in complete harmony, as if they are joined together. Formation flying developed in World War I, when fighter aircraft escorted reconnaissance aircraft over enemy territory.

How many American bombers were shot down in ww2?

By type, losses totaled 21,452 fighters, 12,037 bombers, 15,428 trainers, 10,221 twin-engine fighters, 5,548 ground attack, 6,733 reconnaissance, and 6,141 transports.

How did the bomber crash in WW2?

The enemy shell smashed the bomber’s nose section and killed two crewmen instantly. The pilot of the stricken bomber was able to hold the plane level long enough for the remaining crewmen to bail out. The plane crashed in Hungary and the survivors were captured.

What happened to the B-17 bomber Mizpah?

This B-17, nicknamed Mizpah, took a direct hit from German flak during a raid in July 1944. The enemy shell smashed the bomber’s nose section and killed two crewmen instantly. The pilot of the stricken bomber was able to hold the plane level long enough for the remaining crewmen to bail out.

How did a B-17 get shot down in WW2?

This B-17, nicknamed Mizpah, took a direct hit from German flak during a raid in July 1944. The enemy shell smashed the bomber’s nose section and killed two crewmen instantly.

How do you turn back from a bombing mission?

There was no way we could turn back. We never took evasive action. Once we started the bomb run and the pilot turned the plane over to the bombardier, he was flying the plane. And in the history of the Eighth Air Force, no one ever turned back from a mission because of enemy fire.