Spitfire Fighter Pilot Comments

Very nice battle of the heart and mind of the pilot. Youth facing the abyss and remaining steadfast for few memories, yet still cherished ones. QtR

You wrote on a passion. I think the Finnish Air Force was first to adopt the finger-four formation during 1934–35, because their air force was small and they wanted to be more aggressive. Luftwaffe pilots in the Condor Legion in 1938 during the Spanish Civil War developed the formation independently. Four aircraft, consisting of a lead element and a second element pair, allows leaders an offensive attack role, wingmen a defensive role covering their rare.

'Up and away into blue summer's sky Joining five spitfires in formation German fighter planes are coming.' Loved this poem which was exceptionally written. I was going to write a poem on the tactical error in the RAF at the start of the Battle of Britain flying the five finger formation. The problem was the fifth aircraft in the middle got shot down as fighter spit in combat, with two pairs left and right, leader and wingman, leaving the middle pilot alone and easy prey.