Next, I flew in a single flight of 84's to Chuncheon. There were only troops and mortars in the area. We completely destroyed all available targets. One of my three wingmen actually attacked some of the targets. Got some hits too! The other two wingies just kept flying in formation. Oh well, we're getting there. Mission results gave a mission failed rating and 4 platoons destroyed. Overview showed eleven troops killed. So, it looks as if the CAS missions still ain't right. But I'll try a few more before giving them up again.

F84 Squadron Take off

Things have been going very well for the American pilots in the first 2 weeks of the Spring Offensive. Only 3 bombers have been lost to MiGs. The boys can be proud of that as they've been to some very dangerous targets. But so far they've brought 'em back alive everytime. Air-to-air kills have exceeded 300 for only 30 UN ships lost to MiGs. As usual, the ground fire is responsible for more losses than the MiGs.

F80 Cockpit

Despite the success, we were all in for a wake up call on the 17th. Two new squadrons of MiGs had rotated in over the past two days. My experience has been that when this happens the new MiG squadron tends to be rather conservative in the first day or two after their arrival.

The new squadrons are based at Hwangju and Sariwon. Considering the failed strike on PYang railbridge and the newly arrived MiGs, we decided to hit the railbridge again (the fifth seperate strike on it in this campaign). 2 flights of F-84's with half-ton bombs escorted by four Sabre flights and 2 more of F-80's.

As we passed over Inchon, Dentist reports that MiGs are lifting off from both Hwangju and Sariwon. Whoever the new boys are, they appear to be ready to fight. Passing Munsan, I took the Sabres and swung west, gaining altitude and burning as much of the auxiliary tank as I could.

The route I'd planned for the strike aircraft took them right over the airfields around Sariwon and they passed directly over the still-climbing MiGs. We dropped tanks and swung back east to try and head off the MiGs, who by now were at 16,000 ft. and closing on the F-84's.

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External Panning View

The MiGs passed in front of us at about 15 miles. We then passed behind them at about 4 miles. At this point the MiGs were chasing the 84's and at our 9 o'clock low. I called "combat spread" and "wait for my orders." We then dove to attack. In the sun we could make out 20 MiGs reflecting in the light. Airspeed 530 MPH as we closed in from their 4 o'clock. They must have spotted us as the entire formation broke right. I immediately throttled down and called to engage.

As the MiGs broke past us they rolled and I could make out the scheme for the first time. Oh Sh*t, Red-Tails! I've never hit the throttle as fast as I did right then! First instinct was to climb, so up we went. Looked over the shoulder at 4 o'clock and saw the MiGs were splitting: High and low, left and right.

Two MiGs had fallen already when I spotted a Redtail straight ahead, 2 miles low. I told my wingman I was padlocked and neg-g'd it on to his six. First few rounds found their mark and he broke high. Wingman told me to break, there was a bandit on my six.

I looked behind me and there were three MiGs gaining on me, all of them Redtails. Panther five was between the MiGs and I and shot down the MiG I had been chasing seconds earlier. I was at the top of my loop, inverted, watching those oranges start to arc behind me. I could do nothing as the rounds meant for me ripped through Panther Five's fuselage. There was no chute. Now I'm pissed. Unable to follow me over the top, the MiGs chasing me broke off to the left and disengaged.

I took a quick moment to look around and get a grasp of the situation. Several Sabres were in fights for their lives. Each side had now lost several planes. I could see a few more smoking. I had heard the most "This MiG's good" calls I've ever heard.

What I had expected to be another "smoke 'em if ya got 'em" type dogfight had become a critical situation. I could hear Puma flight (F-80 escort) over the radio as they started to engage. Cougar flight (86 second sq) was now engaged as well. I was amazed to look around and see that the MiGs were still buzzing around in four-plane flights. Great discipline!

Below, I could see a lone MiG sneaking toward the 84's, which were setting up on the target. I rolled and dove. My wingman said I was clear. I went full throttle and closed from above at what had to be 200 MPH. Opened fire from about 2000 ft and held her down! 50's ripped through the shiny new MiG right down the fuselage. From nose to tail.

When the sparks reached the tail, the 50's ripped it off. I passed by the MiG at 550 MPH and still diving. Hard on the brakes and throttle all the way back. I thought she would break apart as the nose came skyward. As I struggled to gain altitude, I looked out of the canopy and saw in the sun a bright red tail section floating softly to earth.

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