Hi Ed:
It is interesting the Russians made similar comments about the Chinese AF
during WW2.. Most were not held in high regard especially after Nomonhan
1938.
Some were competant Chinese pilots that made it through poor
Italian Flight Instructor training program. Most just did not last very
long.
It would be interesting to see who came to China after Chennault to help the
Chinese
develop and airforce, other then the Russians.
Some of the top German Aces made it to Argentina and Chili.But no other
information beyond that.
There was a big market for Foreign Flight Instructors and wonder who
the Chinese and Koreans employed, hired, kidnaped, rented to develop their
Airforces?
Does anyone have any information on this?
Dan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Brennan" <jbren1@optonline.net>
To: <KOREAN-WAR-L@listproc.cc.ku.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2003 11:11 AM
Subject: Re: Book review: Red Wings Over the Yalu: China, the Soviet Union
and the Air War in Korea
> I guess it goes without saying to those who've read it, but that's really
> too bad a reviewer would distort the theme of a scholarly, sober and
> objective book like Red Wings. I know Cookie helped out Xiaoming Zhang
with
> info and I've corresponded with him asking questions and we can probably
> agree what comes across in person is the same style as the book, he's a
> gentlemanly scholar.
>
> I really recommend it but it's not about "coverups" after "hundreds of
> planes were shot down in flames" but rather an objective attempt to bring
> into focus, with exhaustive research but ultimately limited available
> information, the real role of the PLAAF in the KW. This was indeed
> previously obscured, first by older lower classification level US accounts
> characterizing the MiG's as Chinese generally, and then also later by
> Russian veteran accounts that tend to belittle the Chinese and North
Korean
> air efforts IMO.
>
> Dr. Zhang is also scrupulously fair I think in dealing with conflicting
> accounts among participants, rather than presenting "shocking revelations"
> based on one side's more recently published. but not necessarily remotely
> realistic, claims. He simply states where Chinsese or Russian claims can't
> be substantiated (and they generally can't be) in declassified US records
> rather than falling into that bad old trap of theorizing who's "lying"
based
> on preconception and without any particular evidence.
>
> Good book, stupid review.
>
> Joe
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ed Evanhoe" <evanhoe@arbuckleonline.com>
> To: <KOREAN-WAR-L@listproc.cc.ku.edu>
> Sent: Monday, June 09, 2003 4:20 PM
> Subject: Re: Book review: Red Wings Over the Yalu: China, the Soviet Union
> and the Air War in Korea
>
>
> > At 12:29 PM 6/9/2003 -0700, you wrote:
> > >http://www.washtimes.com/books/20030607-102038-6034r.htm
> > >
> > >How the great powers flew over Korea
> > >By Joseph C. Goulden
> > >THE WASHINGTON TIMES
> > >Published June 8, 2003
> >
> > Oh boy! I can see Cookie and few others on this list sharpening their
> > knives. <LOL>
> >
> > Ed
> >
> > Ed Evanhoe, PO Box 916, Antlers, OK, 74523-0916
> > Life Member: Special Forces & Special Operations Associations
> > Author: DARKMOON: Eighth Army Special Operations in the Korean War
> >
>