The reluctance of Lancaster tail gunners to open fire on German night fighters during World War II stemmed from a combination of tactical considerations, practical limitations, and the element of surprise. Here’s an in-depth exploration of the reasons:
1. Tactical Doctrine and Avoiding Detection
One of the main reasons tail gunners hesitated to fire immediately was to avoid giving away the bomber’s position. A Lancaster’s defensive armament was limited compared to the firepower of attacking German night fighters like the Messerschmitt Bf 110 or Junkers Ju 88. Tracer rounds from the bomber’s guns could illuminate its position, making it easier for the enemy to locate and attack.
By holding fire, the gunners aimed to maintain the element of surprise or force the enemy to approach closer, where defensive fire might have a better chance of inflicting damage.
2. Conserving Ammunition
Tail gunners on Lancasters were equipped with a quadruple .303 Browning machine gun turret, which relied on a finite supply of ammunition. Spraying bullets ineffectively at long range could waste valuable rounds, leaving the aircraft defenseless in a prolonged engagement. Gunners were trained to fire only when the enemy was within effective range, maximizing the chance of scoring a hit.
3. Limited Visibility and Target Identification
Night bombing raids often took place in near-total darkness. German night fighters were equipped with radar and often attacked from below or the rear, taking advantage of the "blind spots" in Lancaster defenses. Tail gunners frequently had difficulty spotting approaching aircraft until it was too late.
Moreover, the RAF employed "Window" (chaff) and other countermeasures to confuse enemy radar, which could also obscure a gunner's ability to identify the threat clearly.
4. The "Schräge Musik" Tactic
German night fighters often used the "Schräge Musik" tactic, involving upward-firing cannons mounted at an angle. This allowed the fighters to attack from below, outside the line of sight of Lancaster tail gunners. As the attacking aircraft didn’t approach directly from the rear or above, tail gunners frequently had no chance to engage before the bomber was struck.
5. The Psychological Factor
Engaging an enemy night fighter was a high-stakes decision. Gunners knew that opening fire prematurely or inaccurately could provoke a determined and deadly counterattack. The overwhelming psychological stress of nighttime combat—compounded by the knowledge of the bomber’s vulnerability—sometimes led to hesitation or misjudgment.
6. Defensive Coordination Limitations
Lancaster bombers typically flew in formations to maximize mutual defense, but communication between gunners was limited. A lone gunner might hesitate to fire if he was unsure whether the attacker was within the field of fire of another bomber or whether friendly bombers were nearby.