Big Chief's Little Chief

Thunderbolt action with the Wolf Pack

- BY COL. FRANK W. KLIBBE USAF (RET.), AS TOLD TO AND WRITTEN BY JAMES P. BUSHA

AS THE AIR WAR in Europe became more extensive and additional fighter groups entered the fray, it became evident that a handful of these units were destined to become leaders of the pack.

One such group, the 56th, had “warriors” who aggressively took charge. And with a few well-directed efforts, these leaders soon had the group coordinated and well disciplined. Men such as Zemke (the CO), Gabreski, Johnson and Schilling knew that ensuring the success of the unit was their responsibility, and they passed along valuable knowledge and lifesaving tactics. The group soon came to be known as Zemke’s Wolf Pack. Famed warbird pilot Steve Hinton gets above the camera ship in the Planes of Fame's rare P-47G in the airspace near Chino, California. This is the only airworthy example of this type of Thunderbolt, and pilots of the 56th Fighter Group chalked up an impressive number of kills with these G-model fighters.

The sky over Europe was a life-or-death arena in which one mistake could affect the entire flight. Air combat tactics were drilled extensively until every pilot in all ranks had successfully mastered all maneuvers. Tactical turns, combat spread, bracket attacks, cross-splits, half-splits and Thatch weave were just some of the tactics the Wolf Pack successfully used against the Luftwaffe.

By the time a new pilot was deemed combat-ready, he was expected to know every move his flight leader did and to fly it with precision and accuracy. As a new wingman, he was there to protect and defend the guy next to him. With his head swiveling, he needed four sets of eyes and the ability to stay with his flight leader through violent combat maneuvering.

Combat looked relatively easy compared to being checked out by the group leader or the squadron commander. And for one young, eager pilot, having to fly tight formations and follow orders were only two of the many difficulties encountered while flying in the Wolf Pack. Col. Klibbe relates: