POW/MIA Research Project:
Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Berlin
Volume 1: Moscow

CONTINUED - Pt. III

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Conclusion: The U.S. and Soviet versions describe the same incident, though there is no explanation for the discrepancy in the name of the Soviet pilot given credit for shooting down Heller's F-86. The U.S. version of this shoot down is consistent with the pattern of deceptive reports meant to conceal the fact of USAF operations in Chinese airspace. Heller’ s casualty status is POW/repatriated. [See map at G. 1.1.]


A.1.9 Captain Harold Edward Fischer
 Operational Summary No. 0097 from the Soviet 64th Air Corps in Andung submitted by General Lobov to Moscow for the 24 hour period ending April 7, 1953 noted,

Captain Fischer was flight leader of “Python” flight on a Yalu River fighter sweep on April 7, 1953. The USAF casualty file notes, “The coordinates and location [of the crash] are unknown since the wingman was uncertain of his location at the time he last saw Captain Fischer.” Further, the USAF casualty file refers to the location of the dogfight as “the area.” The location of the combat and the coordinates for the crash of Captain Fischer's F-86 (No. 52-2871A), which occurred at 1735 hours, were not reported accurately in the USAF casualty report of this incident.

Captain Fischer, a highly publicized political prisoner of the Chinese, was released in May 1955 after two years of solitary confinement. The casualty status of Captain Fischer, whose subsequent captivity in the People's Republic of China lasted until 1955, is POW/repatriated.

Conclusion: Soviet records track with the USAF account for this case and are more complete with respect to the location of the crash of Fischer's aircraft. The reason for the absence of a geographic description of this incident in USAF records is that USAF pilots were not authorized to cross the Yalu River on a routine basis. According to USAF F-86 veterans of the Korean War, such as Senator John Glenn, the USAF suppressed or destroyed evidence which showed American aircraft in Chinese airspace. 54 In reality, “the area” where Captain Fischer attacked the Soviet MIGs and where his own F-86 crashed was Chinese territory’. Captain Fischer was not, however, shot down. He was forced to eject after his F-86 engine ingested debris from a MIG-15 that broke up in front of Fischer's aircraft. Captain Fischer successfully ejected and was captured by Chinese militiamen who drove him past the crash site. Fischer's casualty status is POW/repatriated.

54. Co. Fischer remarked in 1994, “The rule was, don't cross the Chinese border. During debriefing after a mission, pilots would just give North Korean coordinates for kills and our own crashes that happened in China. It was a question of CYA. For convenience, a place south of Andung over the river was chosen for the sight where we shot down MIGs which were really shot down in China. I think that little town had more MIGs fall on it than any other place on earth.” Discussion with Paul M. Cole, June 27, 1994.

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A.1.1O. “MacDonnal”
 According to Operational Summary No .102 of the Soviet 64th Fighter Aviation Corps for April 12, 1953, between 0755-0800, six MIG-15s (led by Captain Doroshenko), flying at 13000 meters in the Siodzio region, engaged four F-86s. One pilot fired. According to the pilot's report and interpretation of the gun camera footage, Captain Doroshenko shot down one F-86. According to radio intercepts, an ace from the 51st Air Group, “Mak Donnel,” was shot down. The pilot ejected.

1Lt. Joseph McConnell Jr., who shot down his eighth MIG on April 12, 1953, was shot down on the same day. After successfully ejecting from his aircraft, McConnell was plucked from the Yellow Sea by a 3rd Air Rescue Group H-19 helicopter. By April 24, 1953, the newly promoted Captain McConnell had ten kills.

Conclusion: Soviet records concerning “MacDonnal” refer to the downing of McConnell. McConnell was rescued by UN forces. McConnell, who returned alive from Korea, was subsequently killed in a test flight.


A.1.11. “Paul Niss”
 On May 30, 1953, Major General Borisenko reported to the Chief of Staff of the Air Forces of the Soviet Army on “the operations of the U.S. Air Force in Korea for the period May-December l952.” 55 Borisenko's cable derives from the interrogation of USAF POWs in Korea. Included in Borisenko's cable is the sentence, “Especially experienced instructors at the flight schools treat the students poorly - according to pilot Paul Niss.”

Of particular interest, however, are the names of the Soviet officers who, according to Borisenko, “took part in compiling the report.” The Soviet officers named in Borisenko's cable are the following:

According to Soviet records obtained by DPMO, 2Lt. Niss, a F-51 pilot, was shot down on May 31, 1952. 56 The Soviet records note that 2Lt. Niss's personal documents were taken from him.

Conclusion: DFI was able to match the name “Paul Niss” with an American POW/MIA named 2Lt. Paul R. Kniss (AO 1909070), who was shot down on May 31, 1952. Lt. Kniss's casualty status is POW/RMC.

55. Cable from Major General Borisenko to the Chief of Staff of the Air Forces of the Soviet Army, Operations Directorate (Secret), No. 03817, May 30, 1953.
56. See TFR-786-41.
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B. 64th IAK and Other Soviet Archive Data Associated With POW/MIAS
 Soviet 64th Air Corps records contain information on aircraft shoot down incidents which do not mention American POW/MIAs by name. Using USAF casualty files, a correlation made be made with American POW/MIAs for the following cases included in Soviet records:

Other Soviet-era archive documents mention by name the following USAF POW/MIAs, all of whom where shot down in the same B-29 incident on July 4, 1952:

In addition, Soviet-era archive material demonstrates that the Commanding Officer of the 34th Infantry Regiment was captured alive and was not a KIA (BNR) case as shown in US records. The commander was:


B.1. Pilot of F-86 Shot Down September 2,1951
 Operational Summary No. 0277 of the Headquarters, 64th Fighter Corps for September 2, 1951, reports that six F-86 aircraft were shot down on that day. Two MIG-15s were lost. The summary states, “The 17th Fighter Regiment (word missing) in the

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region of Syukusen at 1035 hours 10 F-86s at an altitude of 10,000 meters. As a result of the attack conducted against the enemy fighters by the regiment, Major Pulov shot one down from the rear below the angle of approach 0/4 at a range of 450 meters. One F-86 according to crew observations (possible “bailed out”) in the air.

According to USAF casualty data, on September 2, 1951 shortly before 1255 hours, Lt. Laurence C. Layton's F-86A (No. 49-1258A) was damaged in a dogfight with enemy MiGs in the vicinity of YD 0375 (Anju/Sinanju area). After radioing that he was heading toward the coast, Lt. Layton's successful bailout at 1255 hours was observed by another F-86 pilot. 57 The position was reported to be near the mouth of the Chong Chong River, approximately six miles from the coast. Though DPMO's summary indicates that Lt. Layton is believed to have been rescued by “persons aboard a large power boat operated by the enemy,” an eyewitness to Lt. Layton's contact with the water, Major Winton W. Marshall, stated on October 15, 1951, “I did not see Lt. Layton bail out nor his parachute.” Major Marshall added that as Lt. Layton was advised to bail out, “My MiG-15 was hit at this time and spun and crashed into the ground.”

Conclusion: With the exception of the discrepancy in the time of day, the Soviet and American records appear to describe the shoot down of Lt. Layton. Since the Soviet summary indicates that “search efforts” for the down aircraft were “being conducted” for an F-86 pilot who Soviet sources reported had bailed out, the Russian side of the Joint Commission should be asked to provide the results of these search efforts in order to contribute to the resolution of Lt. Layton's case. Lt. Layton's casualty status is MIA. [See F.18.]


B.2. Interrogation of two F-86 pilots, October 24, 1951
 Operational Summary No. 0382 from the Soviet 64th IAK in Andung to Moscow for December 16, 1951, states, “Interrogations of two American prisoners of war, F-86 pilots shot down in dogfights on 24 October 1951, has revealed that the enemy has two pilots for each F-86 aircraft. This apparently is done to increase the number of personnel receiving battle experience and to decrease the workload of each flyer.”

According to USAF casualty records, 1Lt. Bradley B. Irish (AO 1911424), F-86 pilot, was shot down in the vicinity of Sinanju, North Korea on October 24, 1951.

57. 1Lt Layton's parachute landing at YD 0169 at 1255 hours was observed by Captain Ralph D. Gibson.

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According to USAF casualty records, Lt. Fred T. Wicks (AO 1910294) departed Kimpo air base on October 24, 1951. In the vicinity of Sinanju, the flight was attacked by four enemy fighters. Wicks's aircraft was hit by ground fire. “A garbled radio message was received from Lt. Wicks which indicated his intention to abandon the aircraft. Continuous observation of the F-86 was not maintained during its descent from an altitude of 15,000 feet, however, the plane was sighted just as it crashed to the ground and exploded.” Although the aircraft was observed to explode on impact, the Commanding General, Far East Air Forces, determined that 1Lt. Wicks was an “unconfirmed prisoner of war.”

Conclusion: Both Wicks and Irish were repatriated in September 1953. The Russian side of the USRJC should be asked for the interrogation records of Lt. Irish and Lt. Wicks which are referred to in Soviet reporting.


B.3. The interrogation of a Meteor pilot, December 1, 1951
 Operational Summary No. 0381 from the Soviet 64th IAK in Andung to Moscow for December 15, 1951, states, “The flier of a downed enemy ‘Meteor’ aircraft was taken prisoner on 1 December. This flier indicated that the group of 12 ‘Meteors’ had been tasked to conduct an aerial reconnaissance of the Tajsen airfield. The mission was not carried out because the ‘Meteors’ were intercepted by MiG-15 aircraft and the ‘Meteor’ flight leader was shot down.” 58

According to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) records, on December 1, 1951, F/Sgt. Ernest E. Armit (A22221), pilot of the Meteor aircraft number A77-949, was lost during a combat flight in the area south of Pyongyang and north of Kimpo airfield between Chienampo and Singye. F/Sgt. Armit was reported to be MIA. On the same mission, RAAF Meteor pilots Sgt. Bruce L. Thomson (A32427) flying No. A77-29 and Sgt. Vance Drummond (A33624) flying No. A77-251 were also shot down. Thomson and Vance, who were repatriated in Big Switch, were “unable to thrown any light on the fate of F/Sgt. Armit during their de-briefings following release.” 59

Conclusion: 1) It is not clear whether Soviet records refer to Armit’s incident. 2) F/Sgt. Armit’s current casualty status is “missing presumed dead.” 3) Soviet records should be examined to determine which Australian Meteor pilot was interrogated.


B.4. Interrogation of F-86 pilot captured, January 7, 1952
 Operational summary No. 42/K from January 7, 1952 states, “At 0849, the 196th lAP engaged up to 40 F-86 aircraft at an altitude of 10,000 m in the Bukhen area. The engagement lasted 15-16 minutes, ranged in altitude from 7,000-10,000 m and moved toward Anju. Ten Flyers fired on the enemy aircraft. Four F- 86s were shot down.

58. Four sentences were struck out in Operational Summary No. 0381, “The prisoner did not know the number of planes that were shot down. According to information from the Korean Command, the wreckage of three ‘Meteor’ was found. The pilots of those aircraft perished. The aircraft of the prisoner had also crashed.”
59. Letter from Donald W. Pinkstone to Paul M. Cole, August 4, 1994. Pinkstone quotes official Australian military sources in this letter.

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Colonel Pepelyaev, Lt. Colonel Mitusov, Captain Zaplavnij and Sr. Lt. Rud'ko each shot down an enemy aircraft

A 48-page Soviet interrogation protocol (plus one photograph) of Charles Eugene Stahl, an F-86E pilot shot down on January 7, 1952, was obtained. The Soviet interrogation record includes a drawing of an F-86 with serial number 51-651 and a photograph of 1Lt. Stahl. The interrogation record shows Stahl's take-off time to have been 09:00 (08:00 US time).

According to USAF casualty records, on January 7, 1952, 1Lt. Charles E. Stahl (AO 1911688), F-86 pilot, was lost over Namsi-dong during air-to~air combat. On April 27, 1952, 1Lt. Stahl’s name was included in an enemy broadcast from North Korea and again in an article published in Pravda on November 18, 1952.

Conclusion: The Soviet report corresponds to the shoot down and interrogation of Charles Eugene Stahl. 1Lt. Stahl’s casualty status, originally MIA, was changed to RMC when Stahl was repatriated in September 1953.


B.5. Eight bodies from one B-29 crash found, June 11, 1952
 Operational Summary No.00163 from the Headquarters of the Soviet 64th IAK in Andung reports, “During the night of 11 June, a search team found the debris of one B-29 and 8 corpses to the west of Kakusan region. Furthermore, Korean and Chinese comrades reported seeing 1 B-29 fail into the sea and explode in an area 20 km southeast of Simni-do Island.”

According to USAF casualty records, a B-29 (No. 44-61967A) was last seen on June 10, 1952 at 1341 hours near the bombs away position (39241’ N.-125004’ E.). Last positive radio transmission made on VHF at control point 38215’ N.-124251’ E. There were no distress signals or further transmissions of any sort. No further sightings of the aircraft were made when overdue at 0315 hours (local time) June 11, 1952, a search of the area was instituted with negative results. Among the crew of this B-29, 1Lt. Wilbur Eugene Lewis (AO 772859) was reported MIA on June 11, 1952 and has been carried in this casualty status ever since. Lewis, who in civilian life was an aircraft supervisor in a plane subassembly plant, is the only member of the missing B-29 crew listed in Air Force Manual 200-25 Missing in Action: Korea.

According to USAF casualty records, a B-29 (No.44-62183) was reported to be caught in enemy seatchlights, struck by rockets and destroyed in a mid-air explosion on the night of June 10, 1952. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the stricken aircraft fall to earth in three sections. According to USAF records, only one of the 13 member crew, Anton Brom Jr. (AO 701420), survived to be repatriated. 60

Conclusion: The Soviet records do not indicate whether the B-29 found as reported in summary No.00163 was shot down on June 11 or earlier. If the report concerns a B-29

60. The other crew members were: Capt. Louis R. Gorrell, 1Lt. Harold R. Holmes, 1Lt. Robert B. Baumer, 1Lt. David Mandel, 1Lt. Robert E. Hudson, 1Lt. John H. Adams, S/S gt. Wflliam A. Canning, A/1c Edgar F. Barrington, A/1c Elbert J. Reid Jr., A/1c Robert L. Ross, A/2c Thomas J. Petfit, A/2c Paul K. Kell strom. All are listed as MIA by CILHI.

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found as a result of a search team sent out before June 11, then it may coincide with one of the two cases found in American sources. The Russian side of the Joint Commission should be asked to provide the June 11, 1952 report of the Soviet search team concerning the B-29 and the disposition of the bodies found. If the Soviet report describes the crash of No. 44-61967A, then an additional 12 cases should be reviewed for possible change in casualty status from MIA to KIA(BNR).


B.6. Pilot of F-86 shot down, August 1, 1952
 In Operational Summary No.00214 from the 64th IAK at Andung for August 1, 1952, the Soviet command reported to Moscow, “One of the downed F-86’s fell 7 kilometers southeast of Sakchu. The side number is USAF 12767 61, the fuselage was marked with nine stars (each marking equates to one victory). The aircraft was destroyed, the pilot perished and his identity cannot be estabiished”

According to a DPMO summary of USAF casualty data, Major Felix Asla Jr., who was engaged in aerial combat on August 1, 1952 near Sinuiju, became separated from his wingman. 62 He twice radioed for information as to whether visual contact could be established with his aircraft. 63 The messages did not indicate that he was experiencing any difficulty at the time, although it appears that he failed to receive replies from the other pilot, who repeatedly advised that he did not have visual contact and was leaving the area. Subsequently, a report was received from a member of another flight in the area who witnessed and enemy fighter attack on Major Asla’s F-86 and that his plane had lost the left wing. The aircraft was last seen spinning downward from an altitude of 23,000 feet at a point 15 miles southeast of Sakchu, North Korea at 0927 hours. A subsequent aerial search failed to reveal any trace of the missing aircraft or pilot.

Asla was not an ace. The only USAF ace with nine confirmed kills as of August 1, 1952 was 2Lt. James F. Low who had nine by June 15, 1952. Low was in the 335th HS/4th HW. Asla was in the 336th FIS/4th FIW. According to USAF casualty data, Asla was shot down in an F-86 with the serial number 51-2767.

Conclusion: The day, geographic data and aircraft serial number in the U.S. and Soviet accounts match the incident which resulted in the loss of Major Felix Asla. Since Major Asla’s status is KIA(BNR), and since it is apparent from Soviet records that Asla’s body was recovered by Soviet forces, the Russian side of the Joint Commission should be asked for information concerning the disposition of Major Asla’s remains.


B.7. Eight Americans captured from B-29, July 4, 1952
 According to Operational Summary No.00186, from the Headquarters of the 64th IAK at Andung, on July 4, 1952, elements of the 351st lAP encountered a USAF B-29 while on a combat sortie. At 2246 hours, Major Karelin observed one B-29 in the searchlight beams near Khakusen at an altitude of 7200 meters and attacked it. Orienting

61. The number also may read “USNF 122672O.”
62. USAF casualty data states Asla’s aircraft serial number as “51-2767.”
63. Asla, whose code name was Red One, asked twice, “Red Two, do you have me?” In each case the reply was “Negative.”

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on the flaming aircraft, the pilot conducted three more attacks and shot down the B-29. The bomber started to break up midair and fell two kilometers west of Khakusen. Four engines and the burnt fuselage were found at the crash site. According to Operational Summary No.00186, “eight crew members of the B-29 were taken prisoner by our Chinese comrades. The shoot down of the aircraft by Major Karelin was seen from the KP IAK.”

According to USAF casualty data, RB-29 (No.44-61727) departed Yakota Air Base, Japan, at 1858 hours on July 3, 1952 for a night reconnaissance mission. Statements of repatriated crew members reveal that the RB-29 reached the Sinanju area at approximately 2330 hours and encountered sporadic ground fire directed from the bridge complex area. Shortly thereafter it was attacked by MiG-15 aircraft and severely damaged. At approximately 2343 hours, while at an altitude of 19,000 feet, the crew abandoned the aircraft which crashed some 20 miles southwest of Sinanju. Repatriate statements further reveal that Lt. Francis A. Strieby, the copilot, was the last crew member to observe Ssgt. Clifford H. Mast. Lt. Strieby states that he attempted to push Mast, the nose gunner, out the nose hatch. Mast resisted and took a swing at the copilot who left him standing beside the aircraft commander’s seat. The copilot then started across the hatch toward the radio operator’s position and encountered fire coming through the forward bulkhead door. This was the last he remembered prior to regaining consciousness in his parachute at an altitude of 1,000 feet.

Although some crew members believe Mast was captured and either killed or taken to Manchuria, they could give no evidence to support their belief. Of the 13 man crew, one was killed before bail-out, 11 were captured and repatriated and Mast remains MIA. 64 S/Sgt. Richard L. Aibright (18365010), another MIA case from this incident, is described in a Soviet cable to Moscow, along with Mast, as killed in the crash of the RB-29.

DPMO obtained from Russian sources the 6-page interrogation of Kenneth S. Brazil, crew member of the RB-29 shot down on July 4, 1952. This is apparently one of the eight captured Americans referred to in the Soviet operational summary.

Conclusion: The Soviet and American accounts concern the same aircraft incident. [See F.7 and F.8.]


B.8. 1 F-86 shot down July 4, 1952
According to Operational Summary No.00186 from the headquarters of the 64th Air Corps in Andung for July 4, 1952, two USAF F-86s were shot down by Soviet MiG-15s. One F-86 was reported shot down at 1127 hours, at an altitude of 1500-2000 meters, 20 kilometers south of Sakusyu by Senior Lt. Krutsckykh. The other F-86 was reported shot down at 1145 hours, near Chisyu-Bikhen by Senior Lt. Mishin.

USAF casualty records indicate that 1Lt. Austin Beetle (AO 840696), pilot of an F-86 (No.50-683), was lost in air-to-air combat on July 4, 1952, at approximately 1257 hours. 1Lt. Beetle drown almost immediately after ejecting over Chodo Island. He could not be

64. Telegram No. 503826/III, November 26, 1952 (Top Secret).

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recovered with grappling hooks used by UN rescue forces even though they were no more than 300 yards away when 1Lt. Beetle hit the water.

Conclusion: The Soviet account for the 1145 shoot down appears to be consistent with the loss of 1Lt. Beetle. 1Lt. Beefle’s status in CILHI data is MIA. [See F. 19.]


B.9. Pilot of F-86 No.15/24001, July 20, 1952
 According to Operational Summary No.00202 of the 64th IAK Headquarters in Andung, on July 20, 1952 between 1612-1620 hours, Maj. Zebelin’s group (256th lAP), flying at an altitude of 7,000 - 13,000 meters over the Uiju/Bikhen region, engaged a total of 24 F-86s in separate groups of four. Maj. Zabelin shot down one F-86E, No. 15/24001, which crashed 12 kilometers southeast of Sinanju. The pilot of the F-86E was killed and the aircraft completely destroyed.

Conclusion: CILHI could not identify an F-86 with the registration number 15/24001. 1Lt. John C. Ellis Jr., for example, who was shot down on July 20, 1952, flew F-86 No. 492828. The Russian side of the USRJC should be asked to clarify this case.


B.10. Pilot of F-86 shot down, August 22,1952
 Operational Summary No.00235 of the Soviet 64th Air Corps reports that for the 24 hour period ending August 22, 1952,

According to the USAF casualty report, F-86E (No.51-2866) pilot Major Deltis H. Fincher (AO 431410) departed Suwon Air Base, Korea for the Chong Chong River on August 22, 1952 to conduct a fighter sweep mission. Major Fincher was flying lead position in a flight of four F-86 aircraft. The flight entered the destination at 38,000 feet. Number 4 man called two MiGs at 10 o’clock position that were approaching 90 degrees from the left of the flight. Number 1 and 2 men did not observe the MiGs immediately, and number 3 man told them to delay while he checked the MiGs’ intentions. As the MiGs reached the 7 o’clock position, still on a 90 degree heading, MiG leader turned sharply in toward Major Fincher and his wingrnan. Major Saunders, number 3 man, called to Major Fincher to break to the left, which he did. MiG leader fired on Major Fincher, but Major Saunders did not observe strikes on Major Fincher’s aircraft. Major Saunders called to Major

65. Soviet Korean War veterans Col. Georgi Plotnikov and Col. General Valentin Sozinov remarked in a March 1992 interview, “The name of Major Delt came up in my conversation with General Lobov. I don’t know what his position is. Be he also ejected and was captured, and then escorted somewhere. I think he was on the People’s Republic of China territory.” The reference to “Major Delts” has been associated with Deltis Fincher by DPMO analysts. Paul M. Cole, interview with Plotnikov and Sozinov, March 30, 1992, Moscow.

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Fincher and told him that he would tiy to take MiG number 2 and keep him out of action. Major Saunders moved into position and fired upon the MiG, but the MiG continued to pursue flight leader.

At this time flight leader called, “Is he still on me?” Major Saunders replied that his element was still pursuing MiG number 2. That was the last radio transmission received from Major Fincher. During the break number 2 man blacked out and did not observe any of the above mentioned action. When he regained consciousness he did not observe Major Fincher’ s aircraft in the area. Wingman called him several times, but Major Fincher did not acknowledge these calls. Major Fincher was last sighted at map grid coordinate 6333-Il at 1049 hours. Major Fincher’s casualty status continues to be MIA.

Conclusion: The positive association between the U.S. and Soviet data on the day, time, geographic location, and circumstances of this incident lead to the conclusion that the Soviet records describe the shoot down of Major Fincher. Fincher’s current casualty status is MIA. [See F.2.]


B.11. Five bodies from one B-29 crash found, September 13, 1952
 Operational Summary No.00257 for the 64th IAK in Andung for September 13, 1952, reported, “From 2235 till 0106, the 87th anti-aircraft artillery division fired on 35 B-29’s at altitudes ranging from 6800 meters to 7500 meters. Two B-29’s were shot down and two B-29’s were damaged. Part of one downed B-29 and 5 bodies were found. The search continues.” 66

According to USAF records, on September 13, 1952 a B-29 (No.44-86343) was “flying over to target when it was hit by enemy flak. It was seen to blow up in the air. No parachutes were observed leaving the plane. A rescue search for seven days with negative results. No chance for survival.” CILHI records indicate that one of the 12 member crew, A/1c Fred Parker Jr., was repatriated in August 1953. Ten members of the crew are carried as BNR in the Battle Monuments list. 67 One of the crew members, 1Lt. Ted G. Royer, appears neither on the Battle Monuments BNR list nor on the USAF Korean War RMC list.

Conclusion: The Soviet records apparently describe the loss of USAF B-29 No.44- 86343. The Russian side of the USRJC should be asked to account for disposition of the five bodies which are described in the Soviet document. [See F.10.1 - F.10.10.]


B.12. F-86 Pilot Shot Down, April 12, 1953
 According to Operational Summary No.102 from the Headquarters of the Soviet 64th IAK for April 12, 1953, five USAF F-86s were shot down by Soviet forces. The reports and times of day are the following:

66. Underscored in original.
67. The ten are the following: 1Lt. William K. Phillis (MIA), 1Lt. Henry B. Kelley (MIA), 1Lt. Fred D. Bloesch (MIA), Capt. James A. Lowe (MIA), 1Lt. Spiro J. Peters (MIA), M/Sgt. Nelson M. Brown (MIA), A/1c James O. Trosclair (MIA), A/1c Jimmie R. Hobday (MIA), A/1c James W. Kelly (MIA), and A/1c James R. Lebaron (MIA).

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According to Air Force records, Lt. Robert Frank Niemann (22287A), pilot of F86B/6 (No.522891), was “bounced” by MiG aircraft while flying as number four, wingman to the element leader, at approximately 40,000 feet, 20 miles south of the Suiho Reservoir, on April 12, 1953. Lt. Niemann, who took off at 1115 hours, was reported to be MIA at 1225 hours the same day. Lt. Niemann was seen in a right turn with a MiG closing on his aircraft approximately 30 miles southwest of the Suiho Reservoir. Lt. Niemann’s aircraft was last seen seven miles south of Sakchu.

Lt. Niemann was captured by enemy forces and subjected to interrogation. Niemann’s name appears on the list compiled by the Russian side of the Joint Commission entitled, A List of United States Air Force Personnel Shot Down in Aerial Combat and by Anti-Aircraft Artillery During Military Operations in Korea, Who Transited Through an Interrogation Point. Niemann made an impression on Soviet intelligence officers because he refused to answer questions. 68 Soviet forces recorded a list of personal effects taken from Niemann.

Conclusion: The time of the attack (12:15 in USAF time) on the F-86 by Berepidze and the fact the attack was made on the USAF wingman, and the time Niemann was reported to be MIA (12:25) indicate that Soviet records describe the shoot down of 1Lt. Niemann. In contrast to the last sighting of Niemann’s aircraft by USAF witnesses, Soviet records indicate that Lt. Niemann crashed in China near the Andung airfield. 69 Niemann’s casualty status is MIA. [See F.13 and map at G.l.J

68. Soviet Korean War veteran Victor Bushuyev recalled, “The interrogations were easy. The only case was that of Niemann who refused to answer any questions. He was wounded and that was the formal reason why he refused. He was in from hospital. He said it was a violation of international law.” Paul M.Cole, POW/MIA Issues: Volume I, The Korean War (Santa Monica, CA: RAND MR-351/1-USDP, 1993), p.142.
69. Niemann’s element leader, 1Lt. Donald W. Stewart Jr., who said the flight turned “left” before crossing the Yalu River, reported, “I estirnated my position when I last saw Lt. Niemann as being 30 miles southwest of the Suiho Reservoir.” Statement made April 14, 1953.

VOLUME 1: MOSCOW

The Moscow Report Continued

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