PAGE 4 3. Strafing. a. The P-38 is at best a poor strafing airplane against targets heavily defended by AA due to its inability to make anything but a "down the groove" pass because the guns are not depressed. The concentration of fire power is a very potent weapon, though, when it can be used by bouncing high enough before the target to get a good burst without exposing the plane to too much AA. b. The most important factor in the actual firing is to pick a target, get on it and stay on it through the strafing run. Only in this fashion will your destructive power be effective. Any tendency to pull through, "rake" or "hose" the target, must be prevented for only meager results can be expected. If you go in to strafe, as in anything else, do a good job rather than a half way job. c. You will see in the attached diagrams examples of our standard strafing runs. It should be noted that areas heavily defended by AA, only one attack should be made and that should be accomplished with as much surprise factor as possible. d. Flights will strafe line abreast if the target is wide enough and in coordination of flights; during the strafing timing is all important. e. You must keep in mind the mushing tendency of the P-38 while flying close to the ground, especially while strafing when your attention may be preoccupied with the target. f. Evasive action after firing consists of staying flat on the deck and zigzagging within reason until out of AA range. 4. Dive Bombing a. It is the practice of this group to use 90 degree diving turn into the target, in preference to the half-roll method in dive bombing. Greater accuracy can be achieved in this manner since more factors affecting the dive run can be made constant with experience. b. If the same angle of dive is used each time with the air speed and drop procedure standardized, good results will be had, regardless of the release altitude. c. Generally speaking the approach is from 10,000 to 16,000 depending on cloud cover, staying above the clouds unless the degree is eight-tenths or more. The run should be at such an angle as to enable the pilot to break toward the water whenever possible should he be hit by flak. Unless specifically ordered the breakaway must be from 6,000 to 8,000 to allow the pilot to escape the range of small automatic. This also is below the bursting range of the heavies, firing vertical. Since the dive run is the same for each mission, the only protection from flak must thereby come on the approach. d. Evasive action must be taken going into the target. Changes of 10 degrees to 15 degrees in altitude must be executed until the dive point is reached. e. Care must be taken to insure arriving at the diving point or else the dive will be either too steep or too shallow. A 50 degree to 60 degree dive is used depending upon the individual when using the J type ship, but may be steepened when the group is fully equipped with the "L" type. g. In the briefing, previous to the mission, a right or left turn off the target is decided upon, as well as a rally point.

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