A KMT lawmaker urged the military yesterday to assist in taking back the remains of the 14 crew members of an ROC surveillance plane that was downed by China in 1963.
Legislator Apollo Chen (
PHOTO: CHU YOU-PING, TAIPEI TIMES
Also present were Lu Teh-chi (
Chen said the ill-fated plane, flown by pilot Chou I-li (
"Eight mainland Chinese MiG fighters scrambled to chase and intercept our spy plane, which was later brought down over Linchuan in the central mainland province of Jiangxi," Chen said, adding that Chou and 13 other crew members all died in the incident.
Their remains have since been buried in a graveyard on the outskirts of Linchuan, Chen said, adding that Chou's widow, Hsiao Chia-chen (
"About 40 years have passed since the Black Bat Squadron crew sacrificed their lives for our country. Now their remains will finally be taken home.
"The government, the military and even ordinary citizens should show more concern about the event and organize activities to welcome home the remains and souls of our national heroes," Chen said.
For her part, Hsiao said that when her husband's plane was downed in China 38 years ago, their four children were all very young.
"And now they have all grown up. My greatest hope over the years has been to take back my husband's remains. By so doing, I hope my husband's soul can finally find solace," an emotional Hsiao said.
Speaking on the same occasion, the former head of the Black Bat Squadron, Lu Teh-chi, said the squadron conducted more than 800 spying flights over China between 1953 and 1967.
"Among them, 15 ROC planes were shot down, resulting in the deaths and injuries of 148 crew members," Lu said. She added that taking back the remains of killed crew for reburial can offer great comfort and solace to their families.
In response, a military official present at the news conference said the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and other relevant government agencies would do their utmost to assist the families in retrieving the remains of the crew.
"Although the MND cannot send any servicemen to accompany the bereaved families on their mainland trip, it will direct the Air Force General Headquarters to help arrange for the reburial of the crew once they are taken home," the MND official said.
Under current law, no military officers in active service can travel to China.
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