The story of the Soviet heroes who prevented a nuclear disaster

1950 marked the beginning of the Korean War. In the battle for supremacy over the peninsula, the South Republic of Korea, supported by the countries of the West, and the DPRK, for which China and the USSR joined, clashed.


At the very beginning of the confrontation, American aviation had an undeniable advantage in the sky. DPRK piston planes could not compete with the jet F-80s, and the Flying Fortresses B-29 bombed the territory of the northerners with impunity.

At the same time, the US command pursued much more sinister goals. Former allies of the anti-Hitler coalition planned to deliver a nuclear strike against the USSR, and participation in the Korean War was a kind of rehearsal.

Perhaps this would have happened if the Soviet volunteers had not entered into an uncompromising battle. The jet MiG-15 and the skill of our pilots completely leveled the superiority of the United States. The latest F-86A Saber hastily put into operation did not help the Americans either.

On April 12, 1951, the Yankees were called Black Thursday. On this day, in less than 10 minutes of air battles, our pilots managed to destroy 14 American aircraft, including 10 “invulnerable” B-29s. However, the troubles of the overseas aggressor did not end there. Soon, it was Black Tuesday, where the US Air Force lost another 12 Fortresses and 4 Sabers.

Among the Soviet volunteers was pilot Sergei Kramarenko, who personally shot down 13 American planes (2 more were not counted) and defeated the American ace Glen Eaglestone in an air duel. For his exploits, he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. This year, Sergey Makarovich will turn 96 years old. He lives in Moscow.

As for the Korean War, it never ended with the unification of the peninsula. However, thanks to the feat of Soviet heroes, the Americans forever parted with the idea of ​​a massive nuclear strike on our country. Today in the USA they try not to recall those events. But we must remember.