Today in U.S. military history: the first Korean War dogfight, and the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain

Unto the Breach ^ | June 27, 2017 | Chris Carter

[fugazi]

1864: After two months of flanking maneuvers, driving Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's Confederate Army of Tennessee some 70 miles rearward, Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman launches a frontal assault at Kennesaw Mountain (near Marietta, Ga.). Casualties are heavy on both sides: 3,000 Union soldiers and 1,000 Confederates. Although Sherman's assault was unsuccessful, Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield's successful attack on Johnston's left flank forces the Confederates to withdraw again towards Atlanta.

1942: Gen. Henry H. "Hap" Arnold presents 23 "Doolittle Raiders" with the Distinguished Flying Cross at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.'s Bolling Field. A week later, another three crewmembers are awarded their medals at Walter Reed Army Hospital.

That same day, the FBI announces it has captured all eight of the German military intelligence operatives that had landed in New York and Florida to sabotage American strategic targets. Six are tried by military tribunal and executed by electric chair while the two agents that cooperated with investigators are eventually released by President Harry S. Truman in 1948.

1950: Two days after the communist invasion of South Korea by the Soviet-backed North, the United Nations Security Council approves a resolution to "repel the armed attack and to restore international peace and security in the area." Although 21 nations will provide support, the United States will send the vast majority of troops to the conflict. On this day, President Truman authorizes Naval and air operations south of the 38th Parallel and dispatches the 7th Fleet to Taiwan to prevent hostilities from spreading elsewhere in Asia.

Meanwhile, F-82 "Twin Mustang" fighters score three kills against North Korean fighters attempting to intercept a flight of C-54 "Skymaster" aircraft evacuating personnel from Gimpo Air Field - the first air battle of the

[fugazi]

The long range escort fighter North American F-82 "Twin Mustang" - the last piston-engine aircraft built for the Air Force consists of two P-51 "Mustang" fuselages joined together by a center wing. Intended to accompany B-29s on bombing raids, World War II ends before the F-82 enters service, but Twin Mustangs are the first aircraft to see action in the Korean War. In 1947,Col. Robert E. Thacker set a record that still stands today by flying his F-82 5,000 miles nonstop (and without refueling) from Hawaii to New York in 14 hours and 32 minutes.

[yarddog]

There is a twin mustang on display between Lackland and Kelly AFBs.

It looks very unwieldy but apparently performed OK.

[Snickering Hound]

http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbird-restorations/xp-82-twin-mustang-may-2017-restoration-update.html

An XP-82 with Merlins is under restoration and should hit the airshow circuit.

[Signalman]

My favorite Korean War-era fighter jet. The North American F-86 Sabre.

[fugazi]

Beautiful and fascinating plane. I remember seeing one at the parade grounds on Lackland Air Force Base. I’ll have to look through my old pictures; that plane probably has some historical significance.

[fugazi]

The Air Force should stitch a couple A-10s together. If I was an ISIS fighter, the only thing I could imagine more terrifying than a Warthog bearing down on me would be TWO Warthogs.

[yarddog]

I photographed this F-80 at an air show at Eglin. It actually looked pretty good but was already obsolete by the time of the Korean War.

[higgmeister]

If I stand under The Big Chicken’s beak, and look to the right, Kennesaw Mountain stands five miles away, west-northwest on the compass. My Great Grandfather fought in the battle with the 29th Alabama.

[joshua c]

Why do they call them “dogfights”?

Dogs can’t fly.

[JimRed]

Why do they call them “dogfights”?

Dogs can’t fly.

Snoopy?

[NutsOnYew]

What a nice guy Hap Arnold was. He lived in my hood for several years. We called him the Mayor cuz he talked to everyone and always knew what was up with the neighbors. On the way home from work most days, I would drive past Hap's house and he'd be sitting in his garage with the garage door open just keeping an eye on things. Always a smile and a wave. Great privilege and pleasure to have known him.

[higgmeister]

That is amazing! You lived near and greeted the only five Star Army Air Corps/Air Force General. What a fortunate privilege (sigh).

[Bratch]

[Little Bill]

We were the 6TH Iowa.

[NutsOnYew]

Yes, privilege and honor.

One day, he gifted my wife some periwinkles from his garden after she admired them. Plucked them out of the ground himself and presented them for inspection with a smile. They were transplanted into a front garden at our house. After he passed on, we always thought about him when we pruned them.

It's easy to read about his military history and know him as a warrior. I thought you might just enjoy this little anecdote about what he was like at peace.

[minnesota_bound]

Excerpt: to sabotage American and executed by electric chair
We need to bring this back. We do have traitors in our midst.

[fugazi]

Awesome story. Thanks for sharing!

[higgmeister]

Yes, so much so.