B-29 Superfortress vs Mig-15: Air Battle results

    B-29 Superfortress vs Mig-15: Air Battle results

    The Korean War saw the B-29 Stratofortress play a significant role as the primary bomber aircraft for the Far East Air Force (FEAF). However, initial attacks on targets in Korea were met with little resistance. It wasn’t until China’s entry into the conflict that the U.S. bombers faced a new threat: the MiG-15 interceptor.

    Designed to take down the B-29 Superfortress, the MiG-15 sparked a series of intense battles in the notorious MiG Alley near the Yalu River.

    As 1950 came to a close, Soviet-built MiG-15s began challenging B-29s and B-26s during daylight missions over North Korea. This led to a shift to nighttime bombing runs from bases in Japan, and Okinawa as the B-29s struggled to defend against the MiG-15s.

    However, clashes continued until the last year of the conflict…

    Battle Results

    The following table is taken from The Last War of the Superfortresses: MiG-15 vs B-29 over Korea by Leonid Krylov & Yuriy Tepsurkaev (This book is a very recommended read from the Soviet pilot’s perspective of the B-29 vs MiG-15 over Korea).

    In this table, the authors list each battle’s results contrasting Russian reports with publicized U.S. reports of the same engagement:

    • Date of the Air Battle
      When referring to night battles, the date used is that of the previous day. For instance, a battle from July 10 to July 11 would be referred to as “10 July.”
    • Number of Victories
      This section contains data on the number of officially recorded victories in sorties against B-29s, specifically excluding information on damaged enemy aircraft. It may not provide the complete count of daily victories, but includes the following:
      • 64th IAK.: Victories over B-29s or close escort aircraft.
      • Far Eastern Air Force (FEAF): Victories attained by B-29 gunners or pilots in close escort fighter groups
    • Actual Enemy Losses (according to date from the Opposing Side)
      The information presented in this section may not align with the complete number of losses incurred by both sides daily, and comprises only the following:
      • 64th IAK: Losses of B-29s and their escort fighters recorded in the Western publications available during the research
      • Far Eastern Air Force (FEAF): Actual losses of MiG-15s caused by enemy fire from B-29s or escort fighters, as per the materials from the Central Archive of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

    Date of the Air Battle Number of VictoriesTypePilot (Gunner)RankUnitActual Enemy Losses (according to date from the Opposing Side)
    9 November 195064th IAK: 11 B-29A.Z. Bordun
    L.M. Dymchenko
    Major
    Snr Lieutenant
    72nd GvIAPOne RB-29 from the 91st Medium Reconnaissance Squadron was seriously damaged during an emergency landing at Kimpo: five crewmembers were killed. According to other data. this aircraft made an emergency landing at Johnson air base in Japan.
    FEAF: 11 MiG-15Harry J. LaveneSergeant91st ARSNo losses.
    10 November 195064th IAK: 21 B-29
    1 B-29
    Yu.I. Akimov
    G.I. Kharkovskiy
    Lieutenant
    Major
    139th GvIA
    139th GvIAP
    One B-29 was shot down (serial No. 45-21814) from the 37 1st Bombardment Squadron of the 307th Bombardment Group.
    FEAF: noneNo losses.
    12 November 195064th IAK: noneOne B-29 from the 98th Bombardment Group was seriously damaged and made an emergency landing in South Korea.
    FEAF: noneNo losses.
    14 November 195064th IAK: 51 B-29
    3 B-29
    1 F-80
    Podgorniy
    G.I. Kharkovskiy
    Sokolov
    Captain
    Major
    Captain
    67th IAP
    139th GvIAP
    67th IAP
    One B-29 from the 19th Bombardment Group and I from the 307th Bombardment Group were heavily damaged. It is possible that the 19th Bombardment Group aircraft carried the serial No. 44-62152 and was written off the following day.
    FEAF: none1 MiG-15Richard W. FisherStaff-Sergeant371st BSCaptain Podgorniy's MiG-15 from the 67th IAP was damaged after being fired upon by a B-29.
    1 December 195064th IAK: 21 B-29
    1 B-29
    G.M. Grebenki
    P.I. Orlov
    Snr Lieutenant
    Snr Lieutenant
    29th GvIAP
    29th GvIAP
    No losses.
    FEAF: noneA B-29 fired on Lieutenant Grebenkin's MiG-15 from the 29th GvIAP: holes were found in the cockpit canopy. the port side of the stabiliser and the port wing plane.
    6 December 195064th IAK: 31 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    I. Bogaryrev
    A.S. Minin
    S.I. Naumenko
    Captain
    Lieutenant
    Captain
    29th GvIAP
    29th GvIAP
    29th GvIAP
    No losses.
    FEAF: noneLieutenant N.N. Serikov failed to return from the sortie; it is assumed he was shot down by a B-29.
    10 January 195164th IAK: 11 B-29P.M. MikhaylovMajor177th IAPNo losses.
    FEAF: noneNo losses.
    14 February 195164th IAK: 11 B-29V.I. KolyadinLieutenant-Colonel28th GvIAPThis battle is not mentioned in the resources researched.
    FEAF: noneNo losses.
    25 Febuary 195164th IAK: 41 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    V.G. Monakhov
    P.B. Ovsyannikov
    A.I. Parfenov
    N.G. Pronin
    Snr Lieutenant
    Major
    Captain
    Captain
    28th GvIAP
    28th GvIAP
    28th GvIAP
    28th GvIAP
    No losses.
    FEAF: noneCaptain Pronin's MiG-15 from the 28th GvIAP was damaged - the starboard wing was holed and the aileron rods were damaged.
    1 March 195164th IAK: 21 B-29
    1 B-29
    V.I. Kolyadin
    P.B. Ovsyannikov
    Lieutenant-Colonel
    Major
    28 GvIAP
    28 GvIAP
    Ten B-29s from the 98th Bombardment Group were seriously damaged; three of these (serial Nos. 44-27341, 44-61830 and 44-69977) made emergency landings and were written off. According to other sources, only three B-29s were damaged.
    FEAF: 11 MiG-15William H. FinneganStaff-Sergeant343rd BSNo losses.
    30 March 195164th IAK: noneOne B-29 from the 19th Bombardment Group was seriously damaged.
    FEAF: 21 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    Norman S. Greene
    Charles W. Summers
    Staff-Sergeant
    Technical Sergeant
    28th BS
    28th BS
    No losses.
    7 April 195164th IAK: 31 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 F-84
    S.P. Subbotin
    I.A. Suchkov
    B.A. Obraztsov
    Captain
    Captain
    Snr Lieutenant
    176th GvIAP
    176th GvIAP
    176th GvIAP
    One B-29 (serial No. 44-86268) from the 37 1st Bombardment Squadron of the 307th Bombardment Group was shot down. The fighter escort did not incur any losses.
    FEAF: noneOne MiG-15 from the 196th IAP was shot down; the pilot, Lieutenant Andrushko, ejected.
    12 April 195164th IAK: 141 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 F-80
    1 F-80
    1 F-84
    1 F-80
    G.I. Ges
    A.M. Kochegarov
    P.S. Milaushkin
    V.A. Nazarkin
    B.A. Obraztsov
    A.A. Plicktin
    S.P. Subbotin
    I.A. Suchkov
    F.A. Shebanov
    K.Ya. Sheberstov
    S.M. Kramarenko
    I.V. Lazutin
    S.P. Subbotin
    V.N. Fukin
    Captain
    Captain
    Snr Lieutenant
    Captain
    Snr Lieutenant
    Snr Lieutenant
    Captain
    Captain
    Snr Lieutenant
    Captain
    Captain
    Snr Lieutenant
    Captain
    Snr Lieutenant
    176th GvIAP
    196th IAP
    176th GvIAP
    196th IAP
    176th GvIAP
    176th GvIAP
    176th GvIAP
    176th GvIAP
    196th IAP
    176th GvIAP
    176th GvIAP
    176th GvIAP
    176th GvIAP
    196th IAP
    One B-29 each from the 19th Bombardment Group and the 307th Bombardment Group were shot down. Five B-29s from the 19th Bombardment Group and one B-29 from the 307th Bombardment Group were seriously damaged. The last one made an emergency landing at Suwon and was written off. According to the authors' assessment, Bomber Command losses amounted to no more than six B-29s of which four were lost over the target or over the sea, and a further two were written off following emergency landings.
    FEAF: 112 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    Billy G. Beach
    Royal A. Veatch
    Ercel S. Dye
    Lyle R. Patterson
    David R. Stime
    Robert A. Winslow
    James Jabara
    Howard M. Lane
    John C. Meyer
    Bruce H. Hinton
    Sergeant
    Sergeant
    Staff-Sergeant
    Sergeant
    Sergeant
    Sergeant
    Captain
    Captain
    Colonel
    Lieutenant-Colonel
    28th BS
    30th BS
    371st BS
    30th BS
    371st BS
    30th BS
    334th BS
    336th FS
    4th FW
    336rd FS
    Five MiG-15s from the 196th IAP were damaged:
    - Snr Lieutenant B.S. Abakumov's aircraft - eight holes; the pilot landed back at base
    - Snr Lieutenant Vermina's aircraft - one hole: the pilot landed back at base
    - Snr Lieutenant A.V. Dostoyevski's aircraft - four holes; the pilot landed back at base
    - Snr Lieutenant Zykov's aircraft two holes; the pilot landed back at base
    - Snr Lieutenant Yakovlev - made an emergency landing in a damaged aircraft 15 km away from the airfield
    31 May 195164th IAK: noneNo losses.
    FEAF: 31 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    Michael R. Martocchia
    Otis Gordon
    Jr Bobbie L. Smith
    Staff-Sergeant
    Junior Lieutenant
    Junior Lieutenant
    28th BS
    335th BS
    335th BS
    Sabres from the B-29 close support group shot down Major Perevozchikov (from the Air Force Scientific-Research Institute Group). Two MiG-15s from the 196th IAP were damaged: - Snr Lieutenant Alekhnovich's aircraft (from the Air Force Scientific-Research Institute's Group) seven holes Snr Lieutenant Boboin's aircraft (from the Air Force Scientific- Research Institute's Group) the tail section of the fuselage was crumpled slightly by the jettisonable external fuel tanks
    1 June 195164th IAK: 2B-29Ye.M. StelmakhSnr Lieutenant18th GvIADOne B-29 from the 98th Bombardment Group was shot down: a further two were seriously damaged.
    FEAF: 41 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    James C. Davis
    Earl A. Kanop
    Simpson Evans Jr
    Richard O. Ransbottom
    Staff-Sergeant
    Sergeant
    Lieutenant
    US Navy Captain
    343rd BS
    343rd BS
    336th FS
    336th FS
    Snr Lieutenant Stelmak's MiG-15 from the 8th GvIAP was shot down. The pilot ejected, but was killed in a skirmish with the Chinese People's Volunteer Army. A MiG-15 from the 8th Guards Fighter Air Division was damaged; the pilot, Snr Lieutenant Ageyev, landed back at base.
    26 June 195164th IAK: noneThere was a suggestion that one B-29 had been destroyed by Snr Lieutenant Fokin (from the 17th IAP). This suggestion though was not confirmed at a later stage.One B-29 damaged but returned to base.
    FEAF: 11 MiG-15Harry L. Underwood
    Arthur E. Oligher
    Cptain
    Junior Lieutenant
    182nd TFS
    182nd TFS
    Snr Lieutenant Agranovich's MiG-15 from the 17th IAP was shot down: the pilot was killed.
    9 July 195164th IAK: noneNo losses.
    FEAF: 22 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    Gus C. Opfer
    Milton E. Nelson
    Sergeant
    Captain
    30th BS
    335th BS
    One MiG-15 from the People's Liberation Army Air Force was shot down: the pilot was killed.
    22 October 195164th IAK: 61 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 F-84
    1 F-84
    1 F-84
    A.P. Smorchkov
    Stepanov
    V.S. Shabanov
    Konev
    A.P. Smorchkov
    L.K. Shchukin
    Lieutenant-Colonel
    Snr Lieutenant
    Snr Lieutenant
    Snr Lieutenant
    Lieutenant-Colonel
    Snr Lieutenant
    18th GvIAP
    18th GvIAP
    18th GvIAP
    18th GvIAP
    18th GvIAP
    18th GvIAP
    One B-29 (serial No. 44-61656) from the 19th Bombardment Group was shot down. The escorting fighters did not incur any losses.
    FEAF: noneTwo MiG-15s from the 18th GvIAP were damaged - supposedly by an F-84.
    23 October 195164th IAK: 131 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    2 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 F-84
    1 F-84
    1 F-84
    S.A. Bakhayev
    Bykov
    Bychkov
    G.K. Dyachenko
    Kornienko
    A.N. Nikolayev
    D.P. Oskin
    A.P. Smorchkov
    A.M. Shevarev
    I.A. Rybalko
    V.F. Shulev
    L.K. Shchukin
    Captain
    Snr Lieutenant
    Captain
    Snr Lieutenant
    Captain
    Snr Lieutenant
    Major
    Lieutenant-Colonel
    Snr Lieutenant
    Snr Lieutenant
    Snr Lieutenant
    Snr Lieutenant
    523rd IAP
    17th IAP
    17th IAP
    523rd IAP
    18th GvIAP
    17th IAP
    523rd IAP
    18th GvIAP
    523rd IAP
    523rd IAP
    17th IAP
    18th GvIAP
    Between eight and 10 B-29s from the 307th Bombardment Group were lost:
    - Three shor down over the target serial Nos. 44-70151 (370th Bombardment Squadron), 42-94045 (37 1st Bombardment Squadron) and 44-61940 (372nd Bombardment Group)
    - Between five and seven B-29s were damaged or destroyed during emergency landings in South Korea, or were written off on their return to base
    - One F-84E (serial No. 50-1220) from the 111th Tactical Fighter Squadron was shot down: the pilot, Junior Lieutenant John W. Shewmaker, vanished without trace
    FEAF: 51 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    Fred R. Spivey
    Jerry M. Webb
    Ralph E. Banks
    Richard D. Creighton
    Farrie D. Fortner
    Sergeant
    Sergeant
    Captain
    Major
    Junior Lieutenant
    371st BS
    371st BS
    336th FS
    336th FS
    154th TFS
    The aircraft was shot down by Sabres on its return to base over the People's Republic of China and Snr Lieutenant Khrutin (from the 523rd IAP) was killed. Three MiG-15s were damaged: - Snr Lieutenant A.N. Nikolayev's aircraft (from the 17th IAP) - one hole in the tail fin after being fired upon by a B-29 - Lieutenant A.P. Smirnov's aircraft (from the 18th GvIAP) four holes in the nose section of the fuselage close to the cockpit - Snr Lieutenant Ustyuzhaninov's aircraft (from the 18th GvIAP) - supposedly hit by an F-86 whilst breaking away from an attack on a B-29
    24 October 195164th IAK: 11 B-29A.P. SmorchkovLieutenant-Colonel18th GVIAPOne B-29 (serial No. 44-61932) from the 98th Bombardment Group was seriously damaged; it made an emergency landing on water in Wanson Bay.
    FEAF: 11 MiG-15Harold M. SettersTechnical Sergeant344th BSLieutenant-Colonel Smorchkov's MiG-15 was damaged.
    27 October 195164th IAK: 41 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 F-84
    1 F-84
    A.N. Karasev
    D.A. Samoylov
    D.A. Samoylov
    A.P. Trefilov
    Lieutenant-Colonel
    Snr Lieutenant
    Snr Lieutenant
    Major
    523rd IAP
    523rd IAP
    523rd IAP
    523rd IAP
    Four B-29s from the 19th Bombardment Group were damaged (one seriously).
    FEAF: 51 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    1 MiG-15
    Merle A. Goff
    Michael R. Martocchia
    Harry E. Ruch
    Leeman M. Tankersley
    Leonard B. Eversole
    Sergeant
    Staff Sergeant
    Private 1st Class
    Sergeant
    Corporal
    28th BS
    28th BS
    28th BS
    93th BS
    30th BS
    Three MiG-15s from the 523rd IAP confirmed: Snr Lieutenant M.A. Zykov's aircraft - one hole in the fuselage
    10 June 195264th IAK: 32 B-29
    1 B-29
    A.M. Karelin
    M.I. Studilin
    Captain
    Lieutenant-Colonel
    351st IAP
    147th GvIAP
    Two B-29s from the 19th Bombardment Group were shot down - serial Nos. 44-62183 (from the 28th Bombardment Squadron) and 44-61967 (from the 30th Bombardment Squadron) One further B-29 (serial No. 44-87775) from the 28th Bombardment Squadron was seriously damaged and made an emergency landing near Gimpo.
    FEAF: noneCaptain Korelin's MiG-15 was damaged by wreckage from a B-29.
    14 June 195264th IAK: 11 B-29F.S. Volodarskiy.Captain147th GvIAPThis battle is not mentioned in the Western publications researched.
    FEAF: noneNo losses.
    3 July 195264th IAK: 11 RB-29A.M. KarelinMajor351st IAPOne RB-29 (serial No. 44-61727) from the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron was shot down; 11 crewmembers were taken prisoner (they were handed back at the end of the war) and two were missing.
    FEAF: noneNo losses.
    23 August 195264th IAK: noneNo losses.
    FEAF: none1 MiG-15 flown by Captain Poltavets (from the 147th GvIAP) was destroyed whilst returning home following a battle 12 km from its base. The aircraft was damaged by fire from 12.7 mm machine guns; this was supposedly from a B-29.
    9 September 195264th IAK: noneNo losses.
    FEAF: 11 piston- powered aircraftRobert L. Davis
    Robert W. Smith
    Private
    Private
    343rd BS
    343rd BS
    No losses,
    12 September 195264th IAK: 11 B-29Yu.N. DobrovichanSnr Lieutenant147th GvIAP64th IAK documents indicate that that this B-29 crashed 17 km east of the city of Tegvan. Specifically. maps of SHORAN radar sites were found in the wreckage of the bomber. According to American statistics, one B-29 (serial No. 44- 86343) from the 37 1st Bombardment Squadron of the 307th Bombardment Group failed to return from a sortie; this is attributed to anti-aircraft artillery fire.
    FEAF: noneNo losses.
    18 November 195264th IAK: 11 B-29Yu.N. DobrovichanSnr Lieutenant147th GvIAPI B-29 (s/n 44-86392) from the 345th Bombardment Squadron of the 98th Bombardment Group was shot down.
    FEAF: noneNo losses.
    9 December 195264th IAK: 11 B-29Yu.N. DobrovichanSnr Lieutenant147th GvIAPOne B-29 (serial No. 45-21822) from the 98th Bombardment Group was lost: the reason for this loss is not specified.
    FEAF: noneNo losses.
    30 December 195264th IAK: 41 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    A.G. Andreyev
    Z. Iskhangaliev
    A.M. Karelin
    M.D. Muravyev
    Snr Lieutenant
    Snr Lieutenant
    Major
    Snr Lieutenant
    535th IAP
    351st IAP
    351st IAP
    535th IAP
    One B-29 (serial No. 44-62011) from the 28th Bombardment Squadron of the 19th Bombardment Group was shot down. A further two were written off on the basis of the damage they incurred.
    FEAF: noneMajor Karelin's MiG-15 was damaged by wreckage from the B-29.
    10 January 195364th IAK: 31 B-29
    1 B-29
    1 B-29
    I.P. Golyshevskiy
    Kultyshev
    Ya.Z. Khabiev
    Captain
    Major
    Snr Lieutenant
    351st IAP
    351st IAP
    535th IAP
    One B-29 (serial No. 44-61802) from the 307th Bombardment Group was damaged by fire from a MiG-15; it was destroyed on its return to Okinawa.
    FEAF: noneNo losses.
    12 January 195364th IAK: 21 B-29
    1 RB-29
    A.I. Gubenko
    Ya.Z. Khabiev
    Snr Lieutenant
    Snr Lieutenant
    351st IAP
    535th IAP
    One RB-29 (serial No. 44-62217) from the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron was shot down.
    FEAF: noneNo losses.
    28 January 195364th IAK: 11 B-29A.M. KarelinMajor351st IAPOne B-29 (serial No. 42-62357) from the 28th Bombardment Squadron of the 19th Bombardment Group was shot down.
    FEAF: noneNo losses.
    30 January 195364th IAK: 11 B-29A.M. KarelinMajor351st IAPOne B-29 (serial No. 44-27262 or 44-61920) from the 307th Bombardment Group was seriously damaged and made an emergency landing in South Korea.
    FEAF: noneMajor Karelin's MiG-15 was seriously damaged by defensive fire from a gunner on board a B-29. The pilot landed back at base after an engine failure.

    Abbreviations

    ARS – Air Reconnaissance Squadron
    BS – Bombardment Squadron
    FEAF – Far Eastern Air Force
    FS – Fighter Squadron
    FW – Fighter Wing
    GvIAD – Guards Fighter Aviation Division
    GvIAP – Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment
    IAK – Fighter Aviation Corps
    IAP – Fighter Aviation Regiment
    TFS – Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Further reading

    Bibliography and source

    • The Last War of the Superfortresses: MiG-15 vs B-29 over Korea by Leonid Krylov & Yuriy Tepsurkaev
    Javier is the editor @ Nuclear Companion and loves to investigate and write about the cold war.

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