My first time properly flying in formation (just upgraded from a gamepad to a proper HOTAS setup) and things are going good. Keeping in my spot and not slamming into my compatriots is taking about 95% of my attention, but I feel fairly safe being in the center of the formation.
And then the sound of bullets and death. I look behind me and I see the yellow spinner of a German HA about two inches off what is left of my tailplane. I was too shocked to take screenshots.