May 2015 May 2015 May 2015 FLYPAST 85SPOT FACT The USAF’s last
Lockheed P-38s were retired in 1949sorties were own by P-38 pilots over Europe
P-38 Lightning
in combat130,000130,000
Bombers
Lightnings proved to be versatile
warriors in the European theatre:
Warren E Thompson explains
combat, but if you are a sharp
shooter, then surprise definitely
gives a pilot the edge.
“Fortunately for both squadrons,
the Luftwaffe pilots were not
expecting the P-38s to be riding
point for the bombers. Another
factor in this encounter was that
there were also nine ’109s in the
area who would jump into the fight
once it had started.
“We went into a steep dive and
as the Me 410s passed under us,
we turned and hit them from the
sides. Thus, we had a two-pronged
pincer attack. The timing was
perfect as we struck from two sides
simultaneously.
“We all fired as we came in range.
This split the enemy formation,84-89_Spot Combat_fpSBB.indd 85 13/03/2015 11:14