Us Official Photographs

8th Air Force fighters over England

Air Force formations snapped while escorting bombers of the 8th Air Force to or from raids on Nazi territory. While not actually employed in combat, this is a frequently used formation in which the fighters fly just prior to any combat or action that might be encountered. It is sometimes used while the planes are forming up to head out over enemy territory. In a 4-plane flight, each plane protects the other. From left to right are the wing man to the element leader-No. 4. Then comes the element leader, No. 3. Next is the flight leader who is No. 1 man. At the right is the No. 2 man, who is wingman to the flight leader. Modified P51 fighters of the 574 Fighter Squadron, 361 Fighter Group.