History 12/02/20 As Russians and Americans shooting at each other at the end of the war,
November 7, 1944, the us air force unexpectedly bombed Soviet military convoy near the Yugoslav city of NIS. The incident had the potential to escalate into full-scale war.
the Background
relations between the USSR and the USA on the eve of the opening of the Second front was neither friendly nor hostile – they present a certain tension. We should remember that the United States was among the last recognized the Soviet Union, while strongly objecting to the entry of its members the Baltic States.
Caution in relations between the two countries did not allow them to sign a full Treaty of Alliance, which, for example, was signed between the Soviet Union and Britain. However, this does not affect the agreement on lend-lease: vehicles, weapons, raw materials and food products the American side was set properly.
Their obligations United States served and after the opening of the Second front, however, the fighting waged so that they are greatly suffering civilian population. Looks very suspicious bombing of the U.S. air force of Belgrade, which came in the days of Orthodox Easter. Local residents then killed several times more than German soldiers.
According to eyewitnesses falling bombs “decorated” mocking the slogan “Happy Easter!”. It was clearly addressed to Yugoslavia, and not the Germans – their Protestant Easter has already passed. This can be seen a hidden call to the Soviets, whose ally was the Yugoslav Communist leader Josip Broz Tito.
the Battle over niš
amid the intense and often chaotic bombing of European cities attack by American aircraft of Soviet column headed by Lieutenant-General Grigory Kotov could be called an unfortunate accident and blamed on the cost of war.
But two facts are alarming. In nepout, American commanders already knew about the Niche no of the German troops, and secondly, “friendly fire” was carried out on the anniversary of the October revolution. Another bombing in the celebration!
Down waving red flags, trying to convince raiders that this is not German troops, but the Americans did not see or did not want to see. The air RAID killed 34 people, including the corps commander Kotov, 39 soldiers were injured, more than 20 vehicles loaded with goods were burnt down.
In response to the bombing of the Soviet air defenses managed to shoot down one American plane. Immediately the two fighters Yak-3 and Yak-9 went up to meet the “allied” squadron, behind them, six more Yak-9.
the Command by setting the “nationality” of the enemy gave the order: “to take all measures to prevent a mid-air collision”, however, after it was hit by one of the “Yakov” Soviet fighters engaged in battle and in the first attack destroyed two us aircraft. Among pilots was as Alexander witch who tried gestures to indicate to the facilitator the “Lightning” (Lockheed P-38 Lightning) on the error – it seemed to succeed.
Soviet aircraft brought an American squadron over the mountain range, but very soon around 40 “Lightning” resumed the attack. The Soviet “Yaks” went again in the direction of American planes, having made some warning shots from guns and one machine gun. Only then
the command of the U.S. air force in hot pursuit, was forced to apologize before the Soviet side, calling the incident “unfortunate incident.” Their aim was a German column, marching from Greece to Trieste. The U.S. air force was wrong about 400 kilometers. However, the second group of planes was not to repeat the mistake first, since they maintained radio contact. But this is only one of the mysteries of this strange story.
Curious answers American pilots who, in their opinion, really long saw the Soviet markings. And only after Colonel edvinson “it’s Russian, get the hell out of here!” the squadron of the U.S. air force has gone from a Niche.
One of the American pilots bragging recalled: “We were without ammunition or no ammunition. A big expense was in the attack column, otherwise the Russian would have had even worse. We shot five to seven Russian “Yak”. They were like “Messer”, but on our side was the best tactic and initiative.”
Results
of Course, the results of air combat from the American and Soviet sides differ. Americans write about the 4 shot down Soviet planes and 2 – U.S. air force, both American pilots according to their information was lost. Our statistics says about 3 lost “Yaks” and the two dead pilots, with 5 downed “Lightning”.
Regarding the incident over the niš from the Soviet command had many questions, but the investigation was terminated – to spoil relations with the allies, nobody wanted. If this happened at the end of the war – it could go either way.
U.S. Ambassador to the USSR Averell Harriman apologized about the accident on behalf of President Franklin Roosevelt and General of the army George C. Marshall. Harriman proposed to send to the headquarters of the 3rd Ukrainian front of the American representatives to coordinate joint actions of the air force. Stalin rejected the proposal, citing an already established line, razgranicheniia the allies.
“American victims” Kozhedub
it would be Possible to forget about the incident over niš, if not two emergency meeting of Russian and American aircraft.
on 17 April 1945 Ivan Kozhedub was attacked by two “Mustang” (North American P-51 Mustang) in the sky over Berlin. All the more strange that it happened after the Soviet pilot tried to defend allies from attack by “Messerschmitt”. “To fire? Me?!”, – indignantly exclaimed then Russian AC. In a matter of minutes both the Mustang was shot down – one exploded in the air, another miracle held up to Soviet territory. The survivors after the fight, “burly Negro” to the question “who was hit?” answer – “Focke vulf” (German fighter). However, it is not clear, wrong or American pilot refused to recognize the victory of the Russian pilot.
After developing the film PCF dogfight failed to consider all the details. The division commander Yevgeni Savitsky, giving the film Kozhedub, strictly ordered anyone not to reveal them, and then he added: “These victories in future wars”. Even then, the Soviet high command perceived the Americans as a potential enemy.
Return replied the Americans. Georgy Zhukov saved us the statements of the commander of the US air force spaatz of that at one of the meetings with Marshal when talking about flying over the Soviet zone pointedly said, “American aircraft flying everywhere, and flew without any restrictions!”.
At the end of the war, Kozhedub had more time to meet the bombers of the U.S. air force. Then the squadron multi-engine giants, ignoring warning shots, entered the zone of Soviet occupation. Russian ACE shot down three planes – the rest fled. However, the official list of these trophies to him to fill not allowed. The regimental commander Paul Chupikov whether in jest, whether seriously said that Americans will have to fight very soon, and the first day of a new war trophies will be credited retroactively.
Russian Seven
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