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Major McCullar on Jap Pursuit Attacks
16 December, 1942
1. The Jap Pursuit Pilot is rather reluctant to
attack a B-17 when all its guns are working. Their attack follows no
special pattern and is seldom coordinated, however a frontal or frontal
quarter attack can generally be regarded as their most frequent axis.
It is imperative that some guns be brought upon the fighter
immediately. This can be done by keeping the top and lower turrets
pointing ahead in anticipation of this method of attack, and then
manoeuvring the airplane in order to bring the guns on the plane.
Normally the pilot (Jap) will make a sharp turn just as soon as the
tracers start flying his way, but if not bothered he presses home his
attack until he passes within a few feet of your ship.
2. It is of utmost importance that guns be
fired at the Zero beginning at long distance to discourage his close
range attack. Fixed 50's are surely needed in the nose firing straight
ahead, and don't forget, keep the turrets for the frontal and top boys;
the Waist, Radio and tail guns for the others. The only derivation from
this is when the attackers make a raking attack from underneath, then
the lower turret must be on them.
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