Country
code

North Pyongan (평안북도)

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-35-MO Superfortress in Tom-ni: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-27262
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kadena - Kadena
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
En route, the heavy bomber was attacked by Major Anatoly Karelin, pilot of a Soviet AF MiG-15 fighter. Ten crew members were able to bail out before the aircraft crashed. A crew member was rescued while three others were killed in the crash. Those killed were:
M/Sgt Cleo A. Brown,
1st Lt Edward R. Francis,
1st Lt Ralph I. Phy.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the pilot of a Soviet AF MiG-15 fighter.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-70-BN Superfortress near Sinuiju: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-62217
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Clark - Clark
MSN:
11694
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Assigned to the 581st Air Resupply and Communications Wing, Kadena AB, Okinawa (91st SRS), was shot down by MiG's during a leaflet dropping mission on January 13, 1953. One of the most sensational missions of the 581st in Korea occurred on 12 January 1953, when a 581st ARC B-29 (tail number 44-62217) on its first leaflet drop mission with the 581st ARC Wing Commander, (as well as the operations commander of the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing) on board, was shot down on their last leaflet target just south of the Yalu River in far northern Korea near the Chinese town of Antung. At the time, Russian fighter squadrons, some equipped for night flying, were supporting and supplying the Chinese with airpower, including the Russian-made MiG-15 Fagot. Twelve Russian MiG-15s from the 351st (and perhaps the 535th) Fighter Air Regiments (IAP) intercepted a lone Superfortress of the 581st ARCW south of the Yalu River, about 15 miles from the Chinese border. The MiGs were scrambled and vectored to the bomber's location by Russian radar-controlled searchlight units stationed near Antung, China. The searchlights illuminated the unarmed Superfortress and several MiGs engaged the bomber. Russian MiG pilot of the 351st IAP was credited with the intercept and downing of the B-29. Although US sources believe the B-29 was flying in North Korean airspace at the time of its mayday call, a belief that is strongly disputed by the Chinese and Russian authorities, crew members who bailed and landed believe they were in North Korean territory. Upon capture, the crew was rounded up, blindfolded and put aboard trucks, subsequently transported into China and later charged as CIA spies (the Chinese subsequently learned of the CIA connection with the ARCW units). During the highly publicized Chinese trial in Peking in October 1954, the surviving crew members, along with captured CIA agents, who were imprisoned two years earlier after they had been shot down while attempting to pick up their Chinese double agent, were given prison sentences ranging from 5 years to life. Not until 4 August 1955, two years after the Korean War Armistice, were the surviving crew members released from Chinese prison. These crew members held the distinction of being the longest held POW USAF captives of the war.
Crew:
Col John K. Arnold Jr.,
Maj William E. Baumer,
A2c Harry M. Benjamin Jr.,
T/Sgt Howard W. Brown,
1st Lt Wallace L. Brown,
Cpt John W. Buck,
A1c Alvin D. Hart Jr., †
A1c Steve E. Kiba,
Cpt Elmer F. Llewellyn,
A1c Daniel C. Schmidt,
A2c John W. Thompson III,
Cpt Eugene J. Vaadi,
1st Lt Paul E. Van Voorhis, †
1st Lt Henry D. Weese. †
Source: http://www.joebaugher.com
Probable cause:
Shot down by Soviet MiG-15 fighter.

Crash of a Boeing B-29-50-MO Superfortress near Supung: 11 killed

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-86343
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kadena - Kadena
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The crew left Kadena AFB on a bombing mission over the Sup'ung Dam (Sui-ho Hydroelectric Plant) located at the border between China and North Korea. While approaching the target, the heavy bomber was shot down by the pilot of a Soviet AF MiG-15 and crashed near the city of Supung. A crew member was rescued and became POW while 11 other occupants were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt Fred E. Bloesch, †
M/Sgt Nelson M. Brown, †
A1c Jimmie R. Hobday, †
1st Lt Henry B. Kelly, †
A1c James W. Kelly, †
A1c James R. Le Baron, †
Cpt James A. Lowe Jr., †
A1c Fred Parker Jr.,
1st Lt Spiro J. Peters, †
1st Lt William K. Phillis, †
1st Lt Ted G. Royer, †
A1c James O. Trosclair. †
Probable cause:
Shot down by the pilot of a Soviet AF MiG-15 fighter.

Crash of a Douglas A-26B-45-DL Invader in Sinuiju: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1952 at 1745 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-34200
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
27479
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While a night intruder mission over the Sinuiju region, the crew made a last radio contact at 1745LT when the airplane disappeared in unknown circumstances. No trace was found.
Crew:
Col James L. McBride Jr.,
S/Sgt Richard C. Ross,
2nd Lt Joseph C. Wallack.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-20-BN Superfortress in Chongju

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
42-93974
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
7381
YOM:
1942
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a leaflet dropping mission over North Korea when the heavy bomber was shot down by enemy antiaircraft fire. All 12 crew members decided to bail out and the aircraft crashed near Chongju. Eleven crew members were rescued by friendly forces while the captain became POW.
Crew:
Cpt Donald G. Bigham,
1st Lt Richard M. Bryan,
1st Lt Donald R. Clancey,
1st Lt Raymond B. Garcia,
Pfc Vernon O. Heitsenrader,
Cpl Joseph R. La Fleur,
S/Sgt David Lipsky,
Pfc Benjamin F. Livingston,
S/Sgt Winston P. McKinney,
Sgt William J. G. Northey,
Pfc Joseph P. Pershica,
1st Lt Daniel B. Vance.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy antiaircraft.

Crash of a Boeing B-29-55-BW Superfortress near Sinuiju: 9 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-69682
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
MSN:
10514
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
While attacking a bridge spanning the Yalu River between Andong and Sinuiju, North Korea, the aircraft was shot down by 15-20 MiG-15. With two engines on fire, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a mountainous region located south of Sinuiju. Two crew members were able to bail out and were rescued while 9 other occupants were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt George Aaron,
Sgt Louis H. Bergmann, †
Sgt Robert W. Bevans,
2nd Lt Elmer T. Bullock, †
Sgt Ralph Elsman Jr., †
S/Sgt John K. Gant, †
Lt Col Douglas H. Hatfield, †
M/Sgt Roberet W. Jones, †
Sgt George E. Millward, †
Cpt Richard H. Simpson, †
1st Lt James S. Wilson Jr. †
Probable cause:
Shot down by a fighter.

Crash of a Boeing B-29-50-MO Superfortress off Ryongampo: 12 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-86370
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
While attacking a bridge spanning the Yalu River between Andong and Sinuiju, North Korea, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Soviet MiG-15. The engine number one caught fire and the aircraft crashed into the sea off Ryongampo. Few debris were found off shore but no trace of the 12 crew members.
Crew:
Sgt Hugh M. Burch,
M/Sgt Albert B. Carlson,
1st Lt James J. Connolly,
Maj Anaclethe P. Decesare,
Cpt Raymundo Delgado,
S/Sgt Allen C. Dinger,
1st Lt Bobbie A. Goodwin,
S/Sgt Shields T. Henson,
S/Sgt George W. Higgins,
S/Sgt Fred S. KIrby Jr.,
Cpt Fred O. Rudat,
Cpt Melvin P. Winters.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Soviet fighter.

Crash of a Douglas A-26C-50-DT Invader in Pakchŏn: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-35874
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
29153
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While flying at low height, the aircraft was hit by enemy antiaircraft fire, hit power cables and crashed. All three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy antiaircraft fire.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-95-BW Superfortress near Uiju: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1950 at 1045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
45-21814
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kadena - Kadena
MSN:
13708
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The aircraft was part of a formation of seven B-29 and had an escort of F4U Corsairs. While overflying the valley of the Yalu River at the border between China and North Korea, the heavy bomber was shot down by the pilot (Maj G. I. Kharkovskii) of a Soviet Air Force MiG-15 (139th GIAP) and crashed in a prairie located near Uiju, about 15 miles northeast of the Chinese city of Dandong. Four crew members were killed while eight others were rescued.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the pilot of a Soviet MiG-15.

Crash of a Douglas A-26B-50-DL Invader near Chongju: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-34234
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
27513
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While flying in the region of Chongju, the twin engine aircraft was hit by antiaircraft fire and one engine was inoperative. Shortly later, the aircraft crashed on a mountain slope near Chongju, killing all three crew members.
Probable cause:
Shot down by antiaircraft fire.