I posted those screenshots only to refute an earlier comment by Whiskey-Zulu who claimed it was impossible to get within gun range of an enemy plane with the P-47, and that all the enemy plane had to do to get away was climb. As you can see by the screenshots, I got within gun range ,even as the german plane tried to climb away. ;D
KE and PE mean everything in dogfighting. Having PE (altitude) and diving (converting PE to KE) means you have energy to maneuver, or regain altitude, therefore restoring your planes PE. Maneuver properly and you have a kill. This is a simple example, but I am using it to show that energy, whether potential or kinetic, is very important to dogfighting.
Maneuvering "uses up" kinetic energy, you need KE to maneuver. Look at it like this, when you say that all you can do to get away is dive, what you are really saying is this, "I have no more Kinetic energy to maneuver, so I am going to dive to convert Potential energy to Kinetic energy (speed) and get away, or maneuver some more."
But all this is all fine and good, but what it comes down to is this, the P-47 can be a very effective dogfighter, it comes down to how you apply the principles of maneuver and energy management.
But, remember this is only a game, so have fun.

thats what it is all about.