As the routed North Korean People's Army (NKPA) withdrew into the mountainous reaches of their country and the People's Republic of China (PRC) funneled in its massive infantry formations in preparation for a momentous counter-offensive in the last months of 1950; both lacked adequate air power to challenge US and UN air supremacy over both the battlefields and the logistics channels from China into North Korea. Reluctantly; Josef Stalin agreed to provide the requisite air cover; introducing the superior swept-wing MiG-15 to counter the American's straight-wing F-80 jets and to repel the United States Air Force (USAF) B-29 bomber formations that were interdicting the PRC's flow of troops and supplies into North Korea. This in turn prompted the USAF; against its conventional wisdom of retaining its first-line air-defence fighters to face Soviet air forces across the 'Iron Curtain' in Europe; to deploy its very best - the F-86A Sabre - to counter this threat. Thus began a two-and-a-half-year struggle in the skies over a corner of North Korea known as "MiG Alley."In this period; the unrelenting campaign for aerial superiority witnessed the introduction of successive models of these two revolutionary jets - the MiG-15bis; the F-86E; and eventually the F-86F - into combat. It also saw the transition of operational leadership on the communist side from the Soviet "volunteers" to the newly formed Chinese PLAAF air divisions; and witnessed the re-introduction of the NKPAF; with its "just trained" MiG-15 units; into the air-combat arena. This meticulously researched study not only provides technical descriptions of the two types and their improved variants; complete with a "fighter pilot's assessment" of these aircraft; but also chronicles the entire scope of their aerial duel in "MiG Alley" by employing the recollections of the surviving combatants - including Russian; Chinese; and North Korean pilots - who participated.
#215224 in Books BlueBridge 2016-06-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.20 x .60 x 5.40l; .0 #File Name: 162919008X208 pagesBlueBridge
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. ... that women were working to make the world a better place even back in the 1200sBy Carol DeMentVery heartening to learn that women were working to make the world a better place even back in the 1200s. Ms. Swan's well-researched book gives us an intimate glimpse into the lives and beliefs of the leaders of the Beguine movement. I was struck by how these women managed to carve out a niche of relative freedom for themselves in a male dominated society overseen by a patriarchal church. Very impressive; and an interesting sociological study of change agents at work.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Wisdom for our DayBy Jane E PitzIf you have an interest in the history of the Beguines; this book covers it well. Moreover; the book covers these laywomen as independent; astute in business; ministering to the sick and to the poor and were wonderful examples of women asserting themselves in a male society. They were also investigated by the hierarchy! There were obvious parallels between what they encountered because of meeting the needs of the poor and ill and religious communities being investigated in our time.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The original feminism in EuropeBy Gary H. LabowitzMy wife is really enjoying this book. Talk about real feminism. A fascinating idea; lasting a long time.
