A deliberate rotation cycle sent a successful flight leader home to help train another group. That pilot could then deploy again as a squadron commander, supported by experienced flight leaders among the new aircrew. The arrangement spread combat lessons without leaving every veteran at the front until lost. The Soviet Union followed the same broad logic, while other Allied systems varied in how formally they organized the rotation. German and Japanese systems failed to recycle enough highly trained personnel, while Italy rotated some veterans less consistently and sometimes according to patronage.
Notable Point · 3:30:13-3:32:13
Rotating combat pilots back into training preserved experience
Allied air forces recycled experienced pilots through training and leadership posts so new squadrons entered combat with veterans, while Axis systems allowed more expertise to die at the front.