811.2361/7–848
The Department of State to the Embassy of the Soviet Union
The Department of State refers to note No. 126 dated July 8, 1948 from the Embassy of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics protesting an alleged violation of the Soviet frontier by three United States military aircraft over the island of Akiyuri Shima on February 14, 1948, as well as eight alleged violations of the north Korean boundary at the thirty-eighth parallel.
An investigation reveals that these allegations are groundless, with the following exception:
On March 28, 1948, at 12:11 p. m., a United States B–29 aircraft was intercepted in the vicinity of Haeju (Kaichu) by a Soviet fighter plane, which indicated that the United States aircraft was north of the thirty-eighth parallel. Upon realizing his error, the American pilot immediately corrected his course and flew south into the United States zone of Korea. The violation, which was unintentional, was caused by faulty navigation. Contrary to the allegation contained in the Embassy’s note, no ammunition was expended by the United States aircraft.
The United States Government regrets this unintentional violation by a United States aircraft of the north Korean boundary at the thirty-eighth parallel. As the Embassy has been previously informed, American aircraft are under standing instructions to avoid any violation of the Soviet frontier. Similar instructions obtain with respect to the north Korean boundary.
On the basis of a thorough investigation, the United States Government must again reject the allegation reiterated in the Embassy’s note that a United States aircraft violated the Soviet frontier on December 23, 1947 in the vicinity of Cape Chukotski.
[Page 928]At the same time the United States Government takes occasion to refer to the letters of May 17 and September 28, 1948 from the Commanding General of the United States Army Forces in Korea to the Commanding General of the Soviet Forces in north Korea, protesting a series of violations by Soviet aircraft of the south Korean boundary at the thirty-eighth parallel. The attention of the Soviet Government is also directed to the following violations by Soviet aircraft of the south Korean boundary, which were not listed in the letters under reference.
- 1.
- On April 22, at 4:05 p. m., four Soviet fighter aircraft violated the boundary at the thirty-eighth parallel in the immediate vicinity of Sokehangsung (Sekichosui) and then disappeared to the north.
- 2.
- On May 5, two Soviet MIG–3 fighter aircraft violated the boundary at the thirty-eighth parallel over Sokehangsung (Sekichosui) and Yonan and then disappeared to the north.
- 3.
- On May 19, at 11:20 a. m., one Yak–9 fighter aircraft piloted by Captain Ivan F. Osmakov, landed in south Korea near Yoju after violating the boundary at the thirty-eighth parallel and flying as far south as Taejon. Captain Osmakov then set fire to his plane.
The Soviet Government is requested to conduct a careful investigation of the foregoing violations, together with those described in the letters of the Commanding General of the United States Army Forces in Korea, and to take whatever steps may be necessary to avoid a recurrence.