Defensive Air Strategies

To what extent were effective defensive formations used by the two-place planes in WWI? Had it been determined that an elliptical formation was best for covering all angles of attack? Did the pilots attempt to maintain formation when attacked? With all we read about dogfighting and every man for himself, this question is usually not addressed. No doubt the early fliers observed the way in which birds align themselves in flight, but I wonder if they trained themselves to maintain formation when under attack.

[Barrett]

The most effective defensive formation for two-seaters was a stepped-down echelon with the leader at the top. Contrary to a stepped-up formation (more common in rudimentary formation training with a better view of the leader), the stepped-down arrangement gave each gunner maximum coverage of the airspace around him with minimum risk of shooting one of his squadronmates. However, it's uncertain how often the stepped-down formation was employed in WW I or which nation(s) most used it.

[Vigilant]

I'm fairly sure the RFC did investigate defencive formation flying. During Bloody April, formation flying was used to even out the odds and ensure that at least the more vital missions were completed (even if others had to be neglected due to lack of aircraft). Also in 1918, once the IF had been set up, squadrons of DH4's penetrated 20+ miles over the lines and back again. Maintaining formation must have been crucial in doing this. (Although then again the loss rate for the IF in its 3 months of existence was about 300%, so maybe not!)

The only specific tactic I know of was that used by FE2's: they would form a defencive circle (rather like a circle of wagons in a cowboy film) so that each nose gunner covered the tail of the plane in front. It was frequently used during the summer of 1917 when the FE2 was coming to the end of its daylight role, and facing the new Albatros types.

Regards,

Vigilant.