Post by magnifiscent on Nov 4, 2013 12:07:07 GMT -8
A continued series on Boelcke's Dicta.
If your opponent dives on you, do not try to get around his attack, but fly to meet it
An instinct of maybe rookie pilots is to try to turn and flee from an attacker - usually resulting in a real problem. Turning your tail to an attacking opponent makes it very easy for them to shoot you down; especially when they are diving on you. The chances are very good that you will not be able to out run them. This also relates to rule #5 - you don't want your enemy on your tail.
Instead, Boelcke trained his pilots to climb to meet the enemy. Do not mistake this for a head-on pass. You are not trying to fly directly at the attacker to shoot at them, you are only trying to greatly decrease the time an enemy has to do damage before he overshoots. After an enemy overshoots, you are now above and he is below, extending, and going very fast. With the increased speed he's gained from the dive, it takes longer to turn than normal and a lot of the speed will be bled off. You'll be at a greater altitude and in a position of advantage.
The attacker will have two choices - try to use that speed to run, or, turn and fight at a disadvantage. Neither situation is exceptionally good for the attacker, both of these choices force you to break rules of the Dicta. Expect a lighter turn-fighter to make the choice to turn and a heavier fighter to extend away. Knowing what they are likely to do can allow you position yourself to take advantage of this choice.
As an attacker, be prepared for this. Don't expect to have all the time in the world to line up your shots. If you dive on an enemy, make sure you are not alone and you have a plan for an overshoot. Are you going to turn and continue the attack? Are you going to extend and try to escape to find a new target? Hesitation will cost time and energy. Communicate with your wingman - be ready to cover each other.
If your opponent dives on you, do not try to get around his attack, but fly to meet it
An instinct of maybe rookie pilots is to try to turn and flee from an attacker - usually resulting in a real problem. Turning your tail to an attacking opponent makes it very easy for them to shoot you down; especially when they are diving on you. The chances are very good that you will not be able to out run them. This also relates to rule #5 - you don't want your enemy on your tail.
Instead, Boelcke trained his pilots to climb to meet the enemy. Do not mistake this for a head-on pass. You are not trying to fly directly at the attacker to shoot at them, you are only trying to greatly decrease the time an enemy has to do damage before he overshoots. After an enemy overshoots, you are now above and he is below, extending, and going very fast. With the increased speed he's gained from the dive, it takes longer to turn than normal and a lot of the speed will be bled off. You'll be at a greater altitude and in a position of advantage.
The attacker will have two choices - try to use that speed to run, or, turn and fight at a disadvantage. Neither situation is exceptionally good for the attacker, both of these choices force you to break rules of the Dicta. Expect a lighter turn-fighter to make the choice to turn and a heavier fighter to extend away. Knowing what they are likely to do can allow you position yourself to take advantage of this choice.
As an attacker, be prepared for this. Don't expect to have all the time in the world to line up your shots. If you dive on an enemy, make sure you are not alone and you have a plan for an overshoot. Are you going to turn and continue the attack? Are you going to extend and try to escape to find a new target? Hesitation will cost time and energy. Communicate with your wingman - be ready to cover each other.
