Special Exhibition Unveiling the Combat History of the Black Bat Squadron Debuts in Hsinchu

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, reported and compiled by Chen Guanxin

 

From its establishment in 1952 to its disbandment in 1972, over the span of just twenty years, 148 members of the Black Bat Squadron sacrificed their lives for the country, leaving behind many lesser-known historical stories. In response, the Black Bat Squadron Relic Exhibition Hall of the Hsinchu City Cultural Affairs Bureau has planned a special exhibition titled “Rise and Fall of the Eagles” from now until November 30, 2013. The exhibition is divided into sections including “Risking Everything,” “Heroic Sacrifices,” and “Actions of Valor,” showcasing the brave and tragic deeds of the aircrew who carried out the code-named “Eagle—121” and “119” missions starting in 1961. This allows future generations to remember the heroic spirit of those who defended the nation, while also reviving lesser-known pieces of history.

This exhibition is divided into three zones. The first zone, “Risking Everything,” describes how, starting in 1960, the Chinese Communists, in an effort to block the Black Bat Squadron from conducting reconnaissance over the mainland, adopted the strategy of modifying the “Tu-4 aircraft.” After modification, these aircraft were designated as Tu-4P. Because the Tu-4P could track and intercept our P2V-7U aircraft for extended periods and attack without reservation, shadowing us closely, our side referred to them as “Shadow Aircraft.” In response, the Black Bat Squadron devised countermeasures, leading to the mission code-named “Eagle—121.” On November 4, 1961, taking off from the Hsinchu base, the mission penetrated five provinces on the mainland, flying for 13 hours along a long route through heavily defended enemy territory—an extremely challenging electronic reconnaissance mission. After completing the mission that night, they landed at the US military’s Kunsan Base in South Korea the next morning.

 

The second zone, “Heroic Sacrifices,” recounts the story of the second mission. On January 6, taking off again from Kunsan Base, they carried out another long-range electronic reconnaissance mission to Shenyang in Liaoning Province and Harbin in Heilongjiang Province, code-named “Eagle—119.” Unfortunately, when the P2V-7U aircraft reached the mouth of the Bilu River northeast of Dalian City and was preparing to conduct a low-altitude approach, it accidentally flew into a massive firepower network formed by anti-aircraft artillery and searchlights that the Communists had set up in ambush over the years. Within just 30 seconds, 13 outstanding comrades made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

 

The “Rise and Fall of the Eagles” special exhibition originated from a washbasin provided by Ms. Yang Zhaosun, the widow of the late mission member Major Yin Jinding, who participated in the “Eagle Mission.” This washbasin was crafted by mainland farmers using the wreckage of the aircraft from the “Eagle—119” mission. This exhibition thus introduces the Eagle—121 and Eagle—119 missions and their crew members. Additionally, young Hsinchu artist Huang Nanrong created the “Secrets of the Black Bat Squadron Aircraft—Aircraft Guidebook Picture Book” for schoolchildren, introducing the aircraft flown during the Black Bat Squadron’s missions. Through a combination of images and text with phonetic annotations, children can gain a better understanding of the stories of the Black Bat Squadron.

 

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