Taiwan is seeking the return of the remains of dozens of airmen shot down while carrying out US-sponsored secretive missions over China during the Cold War, officials said yesterday.
“Any possible measures will be evaluated so that the remains of those people who died for the country will be returned and honored here as soon as possible,” Ministry of National Defense spokesman David Lo (羅紹和) said.
“At the moment, the most feasible way is to commission academics and conduct fact-finding trips to China,” he said.
From the 1950s until the 1970s, Taiwan’s air force set up two special units under the assistance of the CIA to spy on China — the 34th and 35th squadrons, both based at Hsinchu Airbase.
The 34th squadron, better known as the “Black Bat” squadron as their missions were always conducted at night, flew over China at ultra-low altitude to duck the radars of the People’s Liberation Army.
Local newspapers said 14 of the squadron’s US-made P-2V and B-17 aircraft were shot down or crashed during more than 10 years ending in 1967, killing 148 crew.
They said the squadron had even taken photographs of China’s nuclear test sites, which stunned the US.
Newspapers said four pilots affiliated with the 35th or “Black Cat” squadron lost their lives while flying U2 planes over China from 1961 to 1974.
The U2 spy plane is a reconnaissance aircraft capable of cruising at an altitude of 21,000m.
Two other Black Cat pilots were brought down, taken prisoner and incarcerated for 20 years.
Military analysts say Taiwan secured a large amount of aid it badly needed from the US by sharing the hard-won Chinese military information.
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