Stephen Harding wrote:
This would have been before the loosening of regulations on escort
correct? At this time, the numbers of escorts available were still
small and the opposition fairly high (and skilled) in number. This
would also have been a shorter escort run, since Johnson was a P-47
pilot.

Correct. It was not too long after the 56th FG became fully
operational. Johnson, Gabreski, Schilling and Zemke all had relatively
low scores at this point (compared to their later tallies).



It has sometimes been said that the PTO was more a "fighter pilot's
war", meaning that groups were more free to improvise. Tactics
were discussed in more informal manner and less a "top down" command
type of approach.

Absolutely. John Blackburn in VF-17 developed the Roving High
Cover tactic in the Solomons at a squadron meeting, and got approval
from their next higher command relatively quickly. It was pretty much
done on a handshake, and as long as it was successful, the brass were
willing to let them improvise with minor limitations (only the most
experienced pilots, no lower than a particular altitude, etc.).

I understand at one point, the 8th AF dictated escorts be no farther
than about 100 feet of an escorted bomber! Don't know if that is
actually true, but I believe during 1943 and very, very early 1944,
the fighters were not allowed much leeway in how they did their escort.

I've seen this described by members of the 95th BG and in
short stories about John Godfrey and Gabreski.




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