photo: U.S. Air Force

POSTAVENO

HISTORY

photo: U.S. Air Force

Major Louis Sebille in front

F-51D pilots returning from a mission. From

of his F-80C. For his bravery

left to right: 1st Lt. George McKee, Capt.

and sacrifice, he was the

Samuel Sanders and Capt. Leroy Roberts,

first pilot in Korea to be

a former member of the Tuskegee Airmen.

awarded the Congressional

Medal of Honor.

A Fighter Once More

Although the Mustang was used primarily as

a mud mover, it could, of course, handle any

piston engine aircraft that the enemy possessed. For example, on August 3, 1950, two 67th

FBS pilots shot down (one each) North Korean

Yaks, and the unit got another a week later.

On November 1, 1950 pilots from the 67th

FBS/18th FBW two North Korean Yaks south of

Sinuij. That day, though, something more significant transpired. A six ship formation of F-51s

escorted Invaders attacking the airfield at Sinuiju (K-30). They encountered six jet powered

aircraft with swept wings. This gave the Mustang the honor of being the first to go into combat against the Soviet MiG-15, probably from

the 28th GIAP/151st GIAD. The pilots flying the

Mustangs managed to come through without

a loss, but this was the day the allies lost complete air superiority over the Korean peninsula.

The next such encounter occurred November 7,

when a quartet of the 36th FBS was bounced by

a like number of MiGs, whose pilots apparently anticipated an easy time of it. However, the

experienced F-51 pilots were able to maneuver

the MiGs into a position where Captain Howard

Tanner damaged one. Hits were administered to

July 2022

another pair of MiGs sporting Chinese markings

and these chose to break off the engagement.

In contrast, the Mustangs returned to base without a scratch! In a bit of an ironic twist, eleven 8th FBG Mustangs were damaged beyond

repair as the result of a night raid on the base

at Pchjongjang by Po-2 biplanes on the night of

November 28.

South African Mustangs tangled with MiG-15s

on March 20, 1952, they failed to repeat their

earlier no-loss result. During an attack on

a rail line between Guangdong and Sunjong,

they were attacked by six MiG-15s. Lt. Dave

Taylor, flying an F-51, disengaged from the

battle after being hit and was not seen again.

Lt. Henslin, however, was credited with one MiG

“I won’t make it back. I will return, and

I’ll get those bastards!”

Major Louis Joseph “Lou” Sebille

South African pilots of No. 112 Squadron also

had “the pleasure” of encountering the MiG-15s.

On July 8, 1951, the “Flying Cheetahs” were ambushed by twenty Chinese aircraft. Thanks to

some wild maneuvering at low level, they were

able to hold on until the Sabre cavalry arrived

to save the day. Among them was an aircraft piloted by Francis Gabreski, who on this occasion

got his first kill of the Korean War and added

to his 28 total tally from World War Two. When

damaged. There were several similar engagements, of course, but there were no cases that

an F-51 could be without a doubt credited with

a MiG-15 kill.

The fighting morale on the part of the Mustang

pilots is evidenced in the death of 67th FBS Commanding Officer Major Louis J. Sebille, who’s

Mustang (44-74394) was hit several times in an

attack on an artillery position on August 5, 1950.

To top it off, one of his bombs failed to release.

INFO Eduard

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