WAR LEGIONS-Modern Conflicts-

A FLOATING AIRFIELD

Aircraft Carriers are pivotal in providing much-needed air support to UN Forces in the Korean War. Early in the conflict, carrier-based aircraft from Task Force 77 helped stem the tide of the North Korean advance in 1950 and allowed UN forces to hold the Pusan Perimeter until reinforcements arrived.

THE RED VULTURE

With a British-designed jet engine and aerodynamic swept-wing design based on captured WW2 German aircraft research programs, the Soviet MiG-15 was a very agile jet fighter that wrought havoc on UN bombers such as the B-29. Like the famed Japanese AM6 Zero fighters in the early years of WW2, the MiG-15 could outfly UN straight-winged jets such as the USAF P-80C and British Meteor jets. Only with the arrival of USAF swept-wing F-86A Sabres did the UN manage to hold its ground over the skies of North Korea.

THE JET ARENA

With the restrictions that UN aircraft are forced to operate near the Chinese border, North Korean and Chinese PLA airforces operated from Manchuria with impunity without fear of retaliation from the UN. Thus, North Korean and Chinese MiG's would fly from Manchuria and harass American B-29 bombers and other UN aircraft supporting UN ground operations. Thus US and UN fighter jets are tasked to conduct CAP (Combat air patrols) in the area Northwest of North Korea to intercept these MiGs. This area soon became the matching arena for fighter pilots. In these dogfights, legends were born.

THE NEAR UNSTOPPABLE STEEL BEAST

The Soviet WW2 era T-34/85 medium tank was the tip of the spear of the North Korean invasion of the South in June 1950. 120 of these tanks rolled over the Korean countryside forcing the ill-prepared South Korean Army to a hasty retreat. The US Task Force Smith's Bazooka's and M24 light tanks were unable to stop this horde of steel monsters. Only with the arrival of heavy American tanks and plus the overwhelming American air superiority did it finally stop the T-34/85 on its tracks.

Did you know?

General Matthew Ridgway, the commander of UN Forces in Korea, was so well known for his mastery of the use of artillery to strike fear into the hearts of his enemies. At one time, he used artillery to fire at the Chinese, somewhat "breaking" the rules of war, but it slowed the Chinese down and pushed them back. The reason it broke the rules of war is because he fired many rounds into China.

DID YOU KNOW?
During the Korean War, the U.S. defense of the Pusan Perimeter had stopped North Korea from capturing the entire peninsula and bought time for reinforcements to arrive.

SABRES IN THE SKY

The son of Mustang, the famous WW2 American warbird made by North American Aviation. The F-86A Sabre is the American answer to the Soviet-built MiG-15. This fighter is built by the same company that made the P-51D Mustang. Both fighters battled for supremacy in the skies over Korea, especially at MiG Alley. Truly a legendary warbird.

Did you know?
Joseph Stalin once became a staunch supporter of the creation of Israel in 1948, hoping that the Jewish state would be a Soviet ally in the Middle East.

Our Team