Zhang Jihui
Encyclopedia
Zhang Jihui was the Deputy Commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force
(PLAAF) and a highly decorated fighter pilot during the Korean War
. Zhang joined the PLAAF in 1945 and was one of the first combat pilots trained for the PLAAF. He was later posted at the Chinese 4th Aviation Division, which was also the first Chinese air unit that entered combat during the Korea War. On February 10, 1952, Zhang became famous in China due to the death of American ace
Major George Andrew Davis, Jr.
, and he was credited for shooting down the American ace until Russian sources disputed his claim 40 years later. Zhang claimed a total of four victories during his service in Korea, and he was awarded the title Combat Hero
, 1st Class during his service. After the Korean War, Zhang had held various commands and became the Deputy Commander of PLAAF in 1973. Outside of his military career, Zhang was also the Deputy Mayor of Yantai
.
in January 1927. He was born into a poor peasant family of seven that lived off 2 sqkm of land. His father, Zhang Benzhou, was a farmer and a member of the Chinese Communist Party. Zhang entered elementary school at the age of 10, and he became a school teacher after finishing elementary school at Ningjin County
in 1943.
Zhang soon abandoned his job in order to pursue higher education. While studying at university in 1945, he joined the Chinese Communist Eighth Route Army
during the Second Sino-Japanese War
. After the Japanese surrendered, his unit was moved into Manchuria
, where the Chinese Communist People's Liberation Army
(PLA) had set up its first pilot school. Zhang was sent to study at the school and graduated in 1948. He was among the first group of pilots trained for the fledgling People's Liberation Army Air Force
(PLAAF). In 1950, Zhang became a group leader at the 4th Aviation Division.
, and it was composed of 55 MiG-15
s. Zhang first entered two aerial engagements with no victory, but he soon claimed his first victory on October 16, 1951. While intercepting an UN flight on October 16, Zhang claimed to shoot down one aircraft while forcing a F-86 Sabre
to crash. For this action he was awarded the Meritorious Service
, 1st Class. On February 4, 1952, Zhang claimed his third victory against a F-86 and received the Meritorious Service, 2nd Class.
Major George Andrew Davis, Jr.
was shot down by a MiG-15 during his 16th mission in the MiG Alley
near Kunu-ri. Davis was the highest ranking Korean War ace at the time, and he was posthumously celebrated as a hero and received the Medal of Honor
. About 36 MiG-15s from the 4th Aviation Division were involved in the engagement in which Davis was killed, and Zhang was among the group. According to Zhang's own report after the battle, while the MiGs were en route to intercept Davis' group, he and his wingman became separated from the main element. As Zhang was trying to rejoin his formation, he spotted a group of eight F-86s in the area between Taechon and Chongye at 0740. Zhang and his wingman then swung down onto the tails of two Sabres and opened fire. Zhang claimed that he shot down both Sabres, but enemy reinforcements soon destroyed his MiG while killing his wingman.
The publicity of Davis' death soon caught the Chinese attention. To determine whether Davis was killed by Zhang in the absence of gun camera footage, the 4th Aviation Division had sent two search teams on February 16 and 18, and they recovered a wreckage of F-86E, along with Davis' body and his belongings. The search team had also discovered that the crash site was within 500 m (546.8 yd) to where Zhang had bailed out, and that Zhang's 12th Regiment was the only unit that operated near the area. In light of those findings and the testimonies from the ground troops that had witnessed the battle, Zhang was credited by the PLAAF for shooting down Davis' F-86. Davis' dog tag is currently on display at the Dandong
Korean War Museum.
Although Zhang was credited by the PLAAF for shooting down Davis' F-86, Russian sources disputed his claim 40 years later by raising the possibility that 1st Lieutenant Mikhail Akimovich Averin was the MiG pilot that had shot down Davis' plane. According to the recollections from the pilots of the Soviet 64th Aviation Corps, both Zhang and his wingman were probably shot down by Davis, who was in turn surprised and shot down by Mikhail A. Averin scrambling to save the Chinese MiGs. Lieutenant General Georgeii Lobov, commander of the 64th Aviation Corps, also noted in his memoir that Davis was killed by a Soviet pilot. Currently, both China and Russia have taken credit over Davis' death with no conclusive evidence to confirm either sides of the story.
Regardless of the controversy surrounding Davis' death, Zhang became a household name in China, and the victory was one of the few proud moments in the PLAAF's rather underwhelming performance in Korea. The PLAAF later awarded Zhang with the title Combat Hero
, 1st Class for this action.
According to official records, Zhang had participated in 10 aerial engagements with a total of four victories during his service in Korea, and for his service Zhang received the Meritorious Service, Special Class. The North Korean government also awarded Zhang with the Freedom and Independence Medal, 2nd Class.
In July 1978, Zhang was stripped of his ranks and imprisoned, but after his release in 1980, he became the Deputy Mayor of Yantai
. In July 1990, the PLA Central Military Commission restored Zhang's position and allowed him to retire with a state pension.
People's Liberation Army Air Force
The People's Liberation Army Air Force is the aviation branch of the People's Liberation Army, the military of the People's Republic of China...
(PLAAF) and a highly decorated fighter pilot during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. Zhang joined the PLAAF in 1945 and was one of the first combat pilots trained for the PLAAF. He was later posted at the Chinese 4th Aviation Division, which was also the first Chinese air unit that entered combat during the Korea War. On February 10, 1952, Zhang became famous in China due to the death of American ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
Major George Andrew Davis, Jr.
George Andrew Davis, Jr.
George Andrew Davis, Jr. was a highly decorated flying ace of the United States Army in World War II, and later of the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Davis rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in "MiG Alley" during...
, and he was credited for shooting down the American ace until Russian sources disputed his claim 40 years later. Zhang claimed a total of four victories during his service in Korea, and he was awarded the title Combat Hero
Hero's Medal
The Hero's Medal is currently the highest military decoration awarded by the Government of the People's Republic of China.-History:The Hero's Medal, along with the Meritorious Service Medal, was first created in April 1951 by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army political director Du Ping in an...
, 1st Class during his service. After the Korean War, Zhang had held various commands and became the Deputy Commander of PLAAF in 1973. Outside of his military career, Zhang was also the Deputy Mayor of Yantai
Yantai
Yantai is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. Located on the southern coast of the Bohai Sea and the eastern coast of the Laizhou Bay, Yantai borders the cities of Qingdao and Weihai to the southwest and east respectively.The largest fishing...
.
Early life and military career
Zhang Jihui was born at Rongcheng, ShandongShandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
in January 1927. He was born into a poor peasant family of seven that lived off 2 sqkm of land. His father, Zhang Benzhou, was a farmer and a member of the Chinese Communist Party. Zhang entered elementary school at the age of 10, and he became a school teacher after finishing elementary school at Ningjin County
Ningjin County, Shandong
Ningjin County is a county of northwestern Shandong province, People's Republic of China, bordering Hebei province to the north. It is administered by Dezhou City.The population was 444,038 in 1999.- External links :*...
in 1943.
Zhang soon abandoned his job in order to pursue higher education. While studying at university in 1945, he joined the Chinese Communist Eighth Route Army
Eighth Route Army
The Eighth Route Army was the larger of the two major Chinese communist forces that formed a unit of the National Revolutionary Army of the Republic of China which fought the Japanese from 1937 to 1945. In contrast to most of the National Revolutionary Army, it was controlled by the Communist...
during the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
. After the Japanese surrendered, his unit was moved into Manchuria
Manchuria
Manchuria is a historical name given to a large geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria usually falls entirely within the People's Republic of China, or is sometimes divided between China and Russia. The region is commonly referred to as Northeast...
, where the Chinese Communist People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
(PLA) had set up its first pilot school. Zhang was sent to study at the school and graduated in 1948. He was among the first group of pilots trained for the fledgling People's Liberation Army Air Force
People's Liberation Army Air Force
The People's Liberation Army Air Force is the aviation branch of the People's Liberation Army, the military of the People's Republic of China...
(PLAAF). In 1950, Zhang became a group leader at the 4th Aviation Division.
Combat in Korea
When the PLAAF officially entered the air war over Korea in September 1951, Zhang's 4th Aviation Division was the first PLAAF unit sent into combat, and it was under the command of the Soviet 64th Aviation Corps. The 4th Aviation Division was stationed at Langtou Airfield in Liaoning ProvinceLiaoning
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the northeast of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "辽" , a name taken from the Liao River that flows through the province. "Níng" means "peace"...
, and it was composed of 55 MiG-15
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was a jet fighter developed for the USSR by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. The MiG-15 was one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, and it achieved fame in the skies over Korea, where early in the war, it outclassed all straight-winged enemy fighters in...
s. Zhang first entered two aerial engagements with no victory, but he soon claimed his first victory on October 16, 1951. While intercepting an UN flight on October 16, Zhang claimed to shoot down one aircraft while forcing a F-86 Sabre
F-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
to crash. For this action he was awarded the Meritorious Service
Meritorious Service Medal (China)
The Chinese Meritorious Service Medal is currently the second highest military decoration awarded by the Government of the People's Republic of China.-History:...
, 1st Class. On February 4, 1952, Zhang claimed his third victory against a F-86 and received the Meritorious Service, 2nd Class.
Death of Major Davis
On February 10, 1952, US F-86 Sabre aceFlying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
Major George Andrew Davis, Jr.
George Andrew Davis, Jr.
George Andrew Davis, Jr. was a highly decorated flying ace of the United States Army in World War II, and later of the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Davis rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in "MiG Alley" during...
was shot down by a MiG-15 during his 16th mission in the MiG Alley
MiG Alley
"MIG Alley" is the name given by U.S. Air Force pilots to the northwestern portion of North Korea, where the Yalu River empties into the Yellow Sea. During the Korean War, it was the site of numerous dogfights between U.S. fighter jets and those of the Communist forces, particularly the Soviet...
near Kunu-ri. Davis was the highest ranking Korean War ace at the time, and he was posthumously celebrated as a hero and received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
. About 36 MiG-15s from the 4th Aviation Division were involved in the engagement in which Davis was killed, and Zhang was among the group. According to Zhang's own report after the battle, while the MiGs were en route to intercept Davis' group, he and his wingman became separated from the main element. As Zhang was trying to rejoin his formation, he spotted a group of eight F-86s in the area between Taechon and Chongye at 0740. Zhang and his wingman then swung down onto the tails of two Sabres and opened fire. Zhang claimed that he shot down both Sabres, but enemy reinforcements soon destroyed his MiG while killing his wingman.
The publicity of Davis' death soon caught the Chinese attention. To determine whether Davis was killed by Zhang in the absence of gun camera footage, the 4th Aviation Division had sent two search teams on February 16 and 18, and they recovered a wreckage of F-86E, along with Davis' body and his belongings. The search team had also discovered that the crash site was within 500 m (546.8 yd) to where Zhang had bailed out, and that Zhang's 12th Regiment was the only unit that operated near the area. In light of those findings and the testimonies from the ground troops that had witnessed the battle, Zhang was credited by the PLAAF for shooting down Davis' F-86. Davis' dog tag is currently on display at the Dandong
Dandong
Dandong , previously known as Andong and Antung, is a city in Liaoning Province, Northeast China. It lies on the border between China and North Korea, which is marked by the Yalu River, and is the largest border city in China. Also, to the southwest of the city, the river flows into Korea Bay...
Korean War Museum.
Although Zhang was credited by the PLAAF for shooting down Davis' F-86, Russian sources disputed his claim 40 years later by raising the possibility that 1st Lieutenant Mikhail Akimovich Averin was the MiG pilot that had shot down Davis' plane. According to the recollections from the pilots of the Soviet 64th Aviation Corps, both Zhang and his wingman were probably shot down by Davis, who was in turn surprised and shot down by Mikhail A. Averin scrambling to save the Chinese MiGs. Lieutenant General Georgeii Lobov, commander of the 64th Aviation Corps, also noted in his memoir that Davis was killed by a Soviet pilot. Currently, both China and Russia have taken credit over Davis' death with no conclusive evidence to confirm either sides of the story.
Regardless of the controversy surrounding Davis' death, Zhang became a household name in China, and the victory was one of the few proud moments in the PLAAF's rather underwhelming performance in Korea. The PLAAF later awarded Zhang with the title Combat Hero
Hero's Medal
The Hero's Medal is currently the highest military decoration awarded by the Government of the People's Republic of China.-History:The Hero's Medal, along with the Meritorious Service Medal, was first created in April 1951 by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army political director Du Ping in an...
, 1st Class for this action.
According to official records, Zhang had participated in 10 aerial engagements with a total of four victories during his service in Korea, and for his service Zhang received the Meritorious Service, Special Class. The North Korean government also awarded Zhang with the Freedom and Independence Medal, 2nd Class.
Later life
Immediately after the war, Zhang was sent to study at the Red Banner Air Force Academy in the Soviet Union, and returned to China in 1957 after graduation. He steadily climbed the ranks by assuming the command of the 27th Aviation Division in 1964, and later took command of the 1st Aviation Corps in 1970. In 1973, he was named the Deputy Commander of the PLAAF.In July 1978, Zhang was stripped of his ranks and imprisoned, but after his release in 1980, he became the Deputy Mayor of Yantai
Yantai
Yantai is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. Located on the southern coast of the Bohai Sea and the eastern coast of the Laizhou Bay, Yantai borders the cities of Qingdao and Weihai to the southwest and east respectively.The largest fishing...
. In July 1990, the PLA Central Military Commission restored Zhang's position and allowed him to retire with a state pension.