This is the typical formation of 18 aircraft in a single squadron in a bomber stream. Bomber raids started as small intimate affairs. Usually moderate altitudes with a modest number of bombers, striking simple targets along the coast. As the numbers of available bombers increased the raids became larger and more daring. Some of the largest raids employed 1000 bombers to strike targets in Germany. This bomber stream could be as long as 100 miles and as wide as 1 mile. At 180 mph over target an air raid could last from 35-45 minutes.

Each squadron in the bomber stream was composed of 3 flights of 6 aircraft each. Each flight had two elements of 3 aircraft each. In this formation the lead flight flew at the designated altitude. The planes in an element were separtated by 50' horizontally, and each element was also separated by 50'. The high flight was 50' behind and to the 50' right of the lead flight. The low flight was 50' behind and to the 50' left of the lead flight.

This deployment of aircraft made it nearly impossible for a single fighter to get hits on multiple aircraft in a single pass through a squadron. Secondly, it also spread the attacking force out making it difficult for it to concentrate its fire. Thirdly, this opened up the gunners field of fire increasing their effectiveness.