Quote:
Originally Posted by Schroeder
That's how they did in in real life (or at least tried to...). Fly with a wingman. The gunner can only shoot at one of you. It's pretty difficult to coordinate that though because both fighters have to be in firing range at the same time and there are usually escorts around  . |
The formation flying of bombers is to both cover the ground adequately but moreover to provide all round defense, easier in a B-17 than most others during WWII.
Here are the arcs of fire, extend those out to their effective range, then add in a second and third aircraft. You're buggered
Your only hope is to catch them unaware, but once you've woken them up...