(WalterM140) wrote in message ...
The Halifax used the same tactic, it was simply inappropriate
for the B-17 which operated in tight formation in daylight.

B-17's, even in formation, could skid and turn slightly at the right tme to
throw off the German's aim. Given the ballistics of a head on attack, the
firing window was a fraction of a second.

Robert Morgan related in his auto-bio a time when he was flying "Memphis Belle"
in which he pulled up slightly at the very last instant in response to a
German fighter attack. Instead of the cockpit area being hit, the tail was
shredded badly.

Walt


The American formations also learned to jink (on command of the rear
gunner) to try and avoid attack by the 21cm rockets (and even 250kg
bombs) the Germans were firing and dropping on them. These rockets
were very effective and often took out 3 or 4 bombers and broke up the
formation. It was the appearence of the P38 Lightning that rendered
the use of such heavily laden Me 110, Bf 109 and Fw 190s generaly too
costly. Once the formation was scattered the Bombers were easily
despatched.