Interrogation of Oberstleutnant Walther Dahl
At Kaufbeuren, Germany, 20 September 1945
Upon sighting the enemy bomber formation, the formation leader gives the signal to attack by rocking his wings, or by radio. The wings of the Vics now pull up until the aircraft are in line abreast, with the formation leader throttling back a bit so the others can catch up. The approach is made from behind.
The ‘company front’ as seen by the tail gunner. This wartime USAAF tactical diagram shows a formation such as Dahl often led. Poised to attack, the FW190s of the Sturmgruppe have moved from ‘vics’ into line abreast. The three escorting Gruppen of Bf 109s are in elements of four, echeloned up-sun. The close escort will follow the 190s down to attack the bombers and cover the 190s’ recovery.
The fighters attack in a line, the formation leader dividing up the target according to the formation of the bombers, for example: ‘Bomber formation on a broad front with little depth (altitude from top to bottom of bomber formation). The CO will attack the center, and the forces to right and left will go to right and left respectively’.
Open fire from shortest possible range, about 400 yards, during the approach with all weapons simultaneously, firing bursts until close enough to ram. If no victory is yet scored, ramming should result by crashing against the bomber’s tail with prop or wings.
Exit should be made from the formation to the side and down and reassemble at the same altitude with the bombers about 3000 yards to the side and 1000 yards below. The basic principle to be observed in reassembling, is that the assembly is to be made on the same side from which the entry into the bomber stream was made. The advantage thus gained is that the escort Gruppen are on the right side after the attack to protect the reassembly of the Sturmgruppen without having to change sides. If little or no fighter opposition is encountered, a second attack can be carried out by the Sturmgruppe as shown above.