Naval Aviation in the Korean War - Hardcover

Thompson, Warren

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1848844883 ISBN 13: 9781848844889

Publisher: Casemate Publishers, 2011

Synopsis

The first part of this book covers the role of US aircraft carriers and aircraft in stopping the North Korean initial push to the south and also their role in the famous Inchon Landing and Pusan Perimeter Break out. The last part of the first chapter deals with naval operations during the Marine's Chosin Reservoir march to the sea in December 1950.

The book goes on to describe the stabilization of the front lines after the Chinese had entered the war during 1951. At this time, the emphasis for naval air operations was centered on interdiction behind the lines. The focus was on trying to stop road and rail traffic from resupplying the communist troops and allowing them to build up to a major offensive. It also includes the entry of the F2H Banshee into carrier operations which gave the USA four major types of aircraft with which to wage the war.

During 1952 most carrier air groups spend their time off the coast of North Korea while hitting targets up along the Yalu River, putting them well within the range of the MiG-15s. Navy F9F Panthers were used as top cover while the Corsairs and Skyraiders went after major targets such as the dam complexes up river and marshaling yards north of Pyongyang. During 1953, naval air operations were stepped up in an effort to get the communists back to the truce talks. The number of MiG-15s had grown to a figure many times that of the UN for overhead protection. The deep missions were more dangerous than ever and the Chinese brought in state of the art antiaircraft automatic weapons. The number of sorties flown by the US Naval aircraft increased over the previous year's record numbers. The war ended on July 27, 1953.

About this title

About the Author:

Warren Thompson is an author and aviation specialist.

Review:

This history of carrier operations off the coast of North Korea draws on recollections from pilots who flew the missions and their support personnel. Appendices list US Navy carrier deployments in the Korean War, US Navy aircraft lost in the Korean War, and aircraft shot down by Navy pilots in the war. The book includes color and b&w historical photos. Author Thompson is a military aviation historian. Book News

About this edition

• Publisher: Casemate Publishers
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1848844883
• ISBN 13: 9781848844889
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304