Agreed, fighters are an essential element to clear the way for bombers and transports to get through. There has always been that element of danger and bravado that goes with it as well. When dogfighting, it is man to man, like a sport in some ways. There was a great deal of respect shown between pilots as well. I once read a story about a fighter pilot, may have been a mustang, but I am not sure, that got on the tail of a German fighter and blasted the plane. He watched as the pilot bailed out. As the American pilot flew by, he saw the German snap to attention in mid-air and snap a salute to him.