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45.

on the existing conditions, the stronger patrol at medium and the lighter patrol at high altitude. These large groups produced an unwieldy formation which either in attack or defense would immediately become disorganized, leaving the issue to be decided by individual combat. 

It was realized that if our pursuit squadrons were employed in three formations of 5- or 7-plane flights, and these flights so spaced as to be within supporting distance of each other, but still far enough apart so that only one formation could be attacked at a time, an opportunity would exist to fight in some semblance of formation and at the same time organizations in support would be able to secure an advantageous position and attack as a unit. Conversely, in opening an engagement one flight would initiate the attack, thus disorganizing the enemy and placing him in a disadvantageous position to receive the attack of the supporting flights which would follow in rapid succession. This method was put into effect and was so successful that within a few days the Germans had adopted the same tactics.

From the experience gained in the Chateau Thierry fighting it was believed that the best protection for our corps observation, as well as that for our ground troops against enemy battle planes would be obtained by a system of low flying pursuit patrols. Such a method of employing pursuit had never been attempted by our Allies nor by the enemy. Consequently one pursuit group was allotted this mission and the results obtained were all that could be desired. Not only was the object sought thoroughly accomplished, but the operating altitude of the medium and high patrols was lowered thus doing away with the tendency which had previously existed to operate at higher and higher altitudes.

Our method of using the three tiers of patrols, our con-  

[[strikethrough]] centrations [[strikethrough]]

[[Right Margin]]
attack of balloons at dusk & daylight  Luke.