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 by Dermot Moore & Peter Bagshawe Ashanti Publications 1991 Softcover 214 pages photos, illustrations, maps ISBN: 978-1874800156 Cover Price: $16.00 Language: English  Order now at amazon.com Return to |
South Africaʼs Flying Cheetahs in Korea This book covers the South African Air Force (SAAF) in the Korean War. During the conflict, South Korea asked to send a squadron of fighter pilots to support the United Nations (UN) effort. The United States agreed, provided they purchased planes from the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Starting in November 1950, No. 2 Squadron (South African) deployed to South Korea attached to the U.S. Air Force (USAF) 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing (18th FBW). The squadron was initially equipped with the F-51 Mustangs. In February 1953 they began flying F-86 Sabre jets. In total, the South Africans flew 12,067 sorties and remained until December 1953. In total, they lost 74 of 94 F-51 Mustangs and 4 of 22 F-86 Sabres. They suffered the loss of 33 pilots (14 Killed In Action (KIA), 11 Missing In Action (MIA) plus 8 killed in accidents). For their actions, the squadron earned the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and United States Presidential Unit Citation. The end of the book includes short stories written by veterans. A Legendary Deed by Vernon Kruger tells the story of his last mission when he was damaged by anti-aircraft fire flying F-51D Mustang 309 that was damaged by anti-aircraft fire. After bailing out and landing injured behind enemy lines, his flight leader crash landed nearby to aid him and the pair were both rescued by helicopter. Review by Justin Taylan Return to Book Reviews | Add a review or submit for review Last Updated |
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