Battle of Sunchon (air)

Battle of Sunchon (air) Part of the Korean War Australian Meteor's during the Korean War Date 1 December 1951 Location North Korean airspace Result Sino-Soviet aerial victory Belligerents  Australia China  Soviet Union Strength 12 Gloster Meteor aircraft 40-50 Soviet and Chinese J-4 (MiG-15) aircraft Casualties and losses 3 aircraft destroyed 2 aircraft destroyed

Korean War North Korean Offensive Pokpoong Chuncheon 1st Seoul Gorangpo Kaesong-Munsan Korea Strait Ongjin Uijeongbu Suwon Airfield Air Campaign Andong Chumonchin Chan Osan Pyongtaek Chonan Chochiwon Taejon Sangju Yongdong Hwanggan Hadong Notch Pusan Perimeter Masan P'ohang-Dong Taegu 1st Naktong Bulge Bowling Alley Battle Mountain Kyongju Haman Nam River Ka-San Tabu-Dong Yongsan 2nd Naktong Bulge UN Command Counteroffensive Haeju Inchon 2nd Seoul Hill 282 12 October 1950 Sariwon Yongju Kujin Chongju Chinese Intervention Onjong Unsan Pakchon Ch'ongch'on River Wawon Chosin Reservoir Task Force Faith 3rd Seoul Uijeongbu Chaegunghyon 1st and 2nd Wonju Thunderbolt Twin Tunnels Hoengsong Chipyong-Ni 3rd Wonju Chuam-Ni Wonsan Killer Ripper Maehwa-San Courageous Tomahawk Rugged Dauntless Spring Offensive Imjin River Yultong Kapyong Soyang River Stalemate Bloody Ridge Minden Punchbowl Heartbreak Ridge Han River Commando 1st Maryang San Haktang-ni Polecharge 2nd Maryang San Sunchon Hill Eerie Sui-Ho Dam Old Baldy Blaze White Horse Triangle Hill 1st Hook 2nd Hook Chatkol Outpost Vegas Pork Chop Hill 3rd Hook Outpost Harry Kumsong Samichon River Korean Armistice Agreement Post Armistice D.M.Z. Conflict Blue House Raid EC-121 Incident Axe murder incident Gangneung Border Incidents Yosu 1st Yeonpyeong 2nd Yeonpyeong Daecheong Cheonan sinking 3rd Yeonpyeong North Korea crisis

The Battle of Sunchon was an air battle fought near the city of Sunchon during the Korean War. On 1 December 1951, 12 Gloster Meteor jets of the RAAF's 77 Squadron were on a sweep at 19,000 feet over Sunchon when they were attacked by 40-50 Soviet and Chinese MiG-15s. During the ensuing ten-minute action the battle ranged across North Korean airspace at altitudes between 20,000 to 33,000 feet (6,100 to 10,000 m). The Australian pilots managed to score the first victories—destroying one MiG and probably another—but later lost three Meteors to the far superior MiG aircraft. Two Australian pilots, Sergeant (later Wing Commander) Vance Drummond and Flying Officer Bruce Thompson, managed to eject and landed in North Korea where they became prisoners of war, while the third pilot—Flying Officer Ernest Donald Armit—was reported missing in action, presumed killed.^[1] This encounter, along with previous actions between the Meteors and MiGs, highlighted the inferiority of the Meteor in aerial combat against the newer Soviet aircraft and No. 77 Squadron was subsequently reassigned to ground attack.^[1]

Notes

References

External links

• Soviet Pilots in Korea
• ADF Serials website

Coordinates: 39°25′0″N 125°56′0″E / 39.41667°N 125.93333°E / 39.41667; 125.93333