Uncover the secret! The downfall of the Taiwan Black Cat Squadron that attacked the mainland: Air Force | Reconnaissance Aircraft | Taiwan

Afterwards, the Taiwanese authorities suspended high-altitude reconnaissance of the mainland for over two years. However, beneath the seemingly calm surface, there is actually a hidden surge.

01

As a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft that Americans take pride in, the U-2 has two great tricks. Firstly, it has strong reconnaissance capabilities, equipped with 8 fully automatic cameras and a series of electronic reconnaissance equipment on board. Even more impressive is the second move, which has a practical ceiling of over 24000 meters. At such a high altitude, no fighter jet or anti-aircraft gun in the world could do anything about it at that time.

After the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, the United States was eager to obtain strategic intelligence about China. They hoped to use U-2 to conduct high-altitude reconnaissance operations in the surrounding areas of Chinese Mainland.

Lu Yong

Professor at National Defense University

If the Kuomintang Air Force piloted high-altitude reconnaissance planes to conduct reconnaissance, and if any problems were discovered and shot down by us, it would be equivalent to China's internal affairs, and the United States would retreat behind the scenes. For him, this is equivalent to being insured in diplomacy.

Since the Nationalist authorities retreated to Taiwan in 1949, Chiang Kai shek, who was unwilling to accept defeat, has been actively developing military strength and repeatedly raiding the coastal areas of the mainland to achieve his attempt to "counterattack the mainland.".

The most crucial step in Chiang Kai shek's cooperation with the United States was the selection and training of U-2 pilots.

Lu Yong

Professor at National Defense University

Its material is relatively light, so its strength may not be enough. Even if the high air flows a little stronger, or even flies too fast, it may cause the aircraft to disintegrate or its wings to break. This requires U-2 pilots not only to have exceptional skills, but also to have exceptional calmness and high physical fitness requirements.

In 1960, the first batch of U-2 pilots sent by Chiang Kai shek to the United States for training returned to Taiwan after completing devilish training.

This unique badge is the emblem of this mysterious meteorological reconnaissance squadron.

The main body of the team emblem is a black cat, as the cat can move freely during day and night; Black refers to the black body of the U-2; The two golden cat eyes represent the reconnaissance and photography equipment on board.

02

In the early 1960s, the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States determined based on relevant intelligence that there may be atomic bomb and ballistic missile test sites on the Gobi Desert north of Jiayuguan in western China's Gansu Province. Former US President Kennedy immediately instructed the Central Intelligence Agency to quickly monitor the progress of China's nuclear program.

In the vast desert, Chen Huai conducted a search for about two hours, and everything he could see was almost blank. Just as the aircraft fuel was approaching the limit required for return, Chen Huai finally discovered a missile test base located deep in the desert.

At 3:40 pm that day, Chen Huai drove the U-2 back to Taoyuan Airport in Taiwan smoothly, and Jiang Jingguo personally arrived at the airport to welcome him. The next day, Chiang Kai shek specially met with Chen Huai. In this photo, Chen Huai and Chiang Ching kuo stand on both sides of Chiang Kai shek, while the so-called "Air Force Commander" and "Director of the Air Force Headquarters Intelligence Agency" in Taiwan can only be listed on either side.

After this reconnaissance, Chiang Kai shek was convinced that the high-altitude reconnaissance capability of the U-2 could provide him with detailed information on the development of the mainland's nuclear industry.

Li Gongqin

Professor at Shih Hsin University in Taiwan

For example, in a missile testing factory somewhere, we are very certain that it is a missile testing factory, with a river next to it. We will use a high magnification camera to take photos and come back to analyze the color of the river water. Because it is necessary to cool the nuclear reactor with river water, the cooled water will return to the river with a different color.

03

At that time, the Great Northwest was responsible for the development of the mainland's nuclear industry, and the invasion of the U-2 undoubtedly opened a skylight above the heads of these major powers.

Faced with serious threats from high altitude, the People's Air Force has dispatched fighter jets multiple times to intercept U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. However, every U-2 can fully recover.

Xu Yan

Military history expert

At that time, the operational fighter planes used by the People's Air Force, the MiG-17 and MiG-19, had a maximum flying altitude of 16000 to 17000 meters. But U-2 aircraft can fly up to 23000 meters, and sometimes up to 24000 meters. The gap over thousands of meters is difficult to reach with air to air missiles.

At that time, among all the air defense methods on the mainland, only the newly formed ground to air missile unit had the theoretical ability to strike U-2, but it was difficult to achieve in practical operation.

Chen Huiting

Former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force

The control range of a missile battalion's position is only 20-30 kilometers, and if it deviates, it cannot be defeated. Therefore, it is very difficult to control the position, and if it deviates slightly, it cannot be hit. This is the biggest challenge.

Since the control range of the position is limited, can mobile positions flexibly strike the U-2? At that time, the Sam-2 missile equipment equipped by the People's Air Force's surface to air missile unit was huge and complex, making it extremely difficult to move. To achieve mobile combat was like making an elephant dance.

Under the high attention of the Party Central Committee, the heavy responsibility of shooting down the U-2 fell on Yue Zhenhua, the commander of the 2nd Battalion of the Ground to Air Missile Force. A battle has begun between the ground and high altitude, and shooting down the U-2 is no longer a general military issue, but an important task related to national security.

Can the People's Air Force once again create miracles this time?