On November 25, 1950, the Korean battlefield was filled with gunsmoke. The headquarters of the Volunteer Army is located in Dayudong, and a sudden air raid broke the silence of the early morning. Amid the roar, several U.S. bombers whizzed by, dropping deadly napalm. This air raid not only destroyed the command post of the Volunteer Army, but also took the life of a young general - he was Mao Zedong's eldest son, Mao Anying.
Sudden change: The outbreak of the Korean War and China's entry into the war
In June 1950, war broke out on the Korean Peninsula. The United Nations forces led by the United States soon gained the upper hand and forced the Korean People's Army to the Yalu River. Seeing that the situation was critical, Mao Zedong decided to send troops into the DPRK. On October 19, the Chinese People's Volunteers secretly crossed the Yalu River and plunged into the great battle that changed the pattern of Asia.
When the volunteers first entered North Korea, they faced great challenges. The equipment is backward, the logistics are difficult, and it is necessary to deal with the air superiority of the US military. Peng Dehuai and other generals racked their brains and finally found the magic weapon of "guerrilla + sports warfare". In early November, the Volunteer Army launched its first campaign to repel the "United Nations Army" in one fell swoop.
Enigmatic air strikes: How did the U.S. military lock down the Volunteer Army Command?
The U.S. military was caught off guard and hurriedly investigated the situation of the Chinese army. They found that the radio signal in the vicinity of the command post of the Volunteer Army was unusually active. After analysis, the US military determined that this was likely to be the command center of the Chinese.
So, the U.S. military decided to make a surprise attack. They sent several B-29 bombers, ready to take this "mysterious target" by surprise. The bomber was loaded with powerful napalm that could deliver a devastating blow if it hit its target.
This operation of the US military can be described as a secret among the secrets. They carefully planned, just waiting to give the Chinese a "big surprise". However, they never imagined that this air raid would have such a significant effect.
Deadly Air Strike: A bombing that changed history
In the early morning of November 25, a roar suddenly sounded over the Great Elm Cave. Several U.S. B-29 bombers burst through the air and dropped dozens of napalm. In an instant, the command post of the Volunteer Army was in a sea of fire.
Mao Anying and other comrades, who were on duty at the command post, were caught off guard. They had just stayed up all night and were getting ready for breakfast. Who knows, death has quietly descended.
When the bombing began, Yang Fengan shouted, "No, run!" It's a pity that it's too late. The fire spread quickly and smoke billowed out. Some rushed out desperately, while others were engulfed in flames.
In this sudden air raid, Mao Anying, Gao Ruixin and others unfortunately died. Peng Dehuai rushed to hear the news and saw a mess. For the first time, this iron-clad veteran general showed a grief-stricken expression.
The Truth Revealed: The Mystery of South Africa Pilots
Years later, a sensational claim began to circulate on the Internet: the "murderer" of Mao Anying was South Africa Air Force pilot Lipavski. This statement also enumerated the details carefully: South Africa's "Flying Leopard Squadron" received an order from the US military to send four planes to carry out bombing missions. The time and place coincide with Mao Anying's sacrifice.
As soon as this statement came out, it immediately caused an uproar. Many people believed it and forwarded the comments one after another. However, is this really the case?
Let's take a look at the details of this "South Africa pilot". First of all, the rumored book "The Korean War: The Unrevealed Truth" has no relevant content at all. This makes one wonder if someone is deliberately creating a gimmick?
Let's take a look at the actual situation of the South Africa Air Force. Indeed, South Africa sent a squadron to the Korean War. However, only a few days after they arrived in North Korea on November 25, they had a total of four F-51D "Mustang" fighters. These aircraft are mainly used for close support missions and can only carry a maximum of two incendiary bombs per aircraft.
In fact, according to the operational records of the US military, it was the B-29 bombers that bombed the Volunteer Army Command. This kind of big guy is the main force in carrying out strategic bombing missions. It can carry a large number of bombs, and the destructive power it causes is in line with the actual situation.
So, where did this phrase "South Africa pilot" come from? It turned out to be a caption from a 2016 network atlas. Later, some self-media saw it, so they added fuel and vinegar to make up a story. The story was passed around and around, and the more it was spread, the more outrageous it became. Some say it's based on United States Air Force archives, others say it's based on a certain book. In fact, it is all made out of nothing.
This rumor of "South Africa pilots" actually exposed some problems. In order to attract attention, some self-media do not hesitate to fabricate false news. They may think that no one will check it anyway, and it will be as bizarre and attractive as possible.
However, history is not child's play. Every life sacrificed deserves our respect. Whether it is Mao Anying or other people who lost their lives in the war, they are all real people. We should treat history with rigor, not just make it up for the sake of a few clicks.
Therefore, the next time we see such an "amazing" historical discovery, we have to keep our eyes open. Check more information, use your brains more, and don't be led by the nose. After all, truths are often more exciting than rumors, and more worthy of exploration. #头条首发大赛#