Bat 21：入侵陰影下的悲劇與勝利

1972 年 4 月 1 日，越戰期間，一架代號為「Bat 21」的 EB-66C 轟炸機在分隔南北越南的非軍事區 (DMZ) 附近被蘇聯 SA-2 飛彈擊落。由於 EB-66 損失罕見、北越敵對部隊的存在以及飛行員 Icheal“Gene”Hambleton 中校的成功營救，“Bat 21”的損失和隨後的救援嘗試引起了廣泛關注。這起事件凸顯了衝突期間在競爭激烈的空域執行任務的美國空軍機組人員所面臨的挑戰。

Bat 21: The Tragic Loss and Heroic Rescue Amidst the Shadow of Invasion

Bat 21：入侵陰影下的悲慘損失與英勇救援

Prelude to Disaster

災難的前奏

On the fateful day of March 20, 1972, as the communist threat loomed over South Vietnam, Major Dave Brookbank's Forward Air Control aircraft detected ominous signs of an impending invasion near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The impending incursion had been anticipated, and American troop withdrawals had left a skeletal force in the region, adhering to the "Vietnamization" policy that entrusted South Vietnam's defense to its own troops.

1972 年 3 月 20 日這一決定性的日子，當共產主義威脅籠罩南越時，戴夫·布魯克班克少校的前線空中管制飛機檢測到非軍事區 (DMZ) 附近即將發生入侵的不祥跡象。即將到來的入侵是預料之中的，美國的撤軍在該地區留下了一支骨幹力量，堅持「越南化」政策，將南越的防禦委託給自己的軍隊。

The Mission and the Threat

使命與威脅

On April 1, as part of Operation Linebacker, radar-guided B-52 strikes commenced, accompanied by heavy aerial losses. Among these casualties was the O-2A FAC aircraft designated 'Mike 81,' which succumbed to intense anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) fire. As the conflict escalated, an EB-66 loss became the defining moment of the day, marking the initiation of a daring rescue mission.

4 月 1 日，作為後衛行動的一部分，雷達導引的 B-52 攻擊開始，伴隨著嚴重的空中損失。其中包括編號為「Mike 81」的 O-2A FAC 飛機，它在猛烈的高射砲 (AAA) 火力下喪生。隨著衝突升級，EB-66 的損失成為當天的決定性時刻，標誌著大膽救援任務的開始。

The EB-66s, designated "Bats," were tasked with providing electronic countermeasures (ECM) support for the B-52 strikes. Two EB-66s, "Bat 22" and "Bat 21," patrolled the airspace near the DMZ. Bat 22 assumed the role of jamming "Fan Song" and "Fire Can" radars, while Bat 21, piloted by Major Wayne Bolte and navigated by Lieutenant Colonel Iceal "Gene" Hambleton, sought to locate SAM and AAA radar positions.

EB-66 被指定為“蝙蝠”，其任務是為 B-52 的攻擊提供電子對抗 (ECM) 支援。兩架 EB-66 飛機「Bat 22」和「Bat 21」在非軍事區附近的空域巡邏。 Bat 22 承擔了乾擾“Fan Song”和“Fire Can”雷達的角色，而 Bat 21 由韋恩·博爾特少校駕駛，由 Iceal“Gene”Hambleton 中校導航，試圖定位 SAM 和 AAA 雷達位置。

Entering the Lion's Den

進入獅子窩

The EB-66s operated amidst formidable threats. North Vietnamese missile battalions, such as the 62nd Missile Battalion led by the experienced Pham Truong Huy, had been recently deployed with deadly SA-2 surface-to-air missiles. Additionally, the enemy fielded a new and insidious threat: the shoulder-launched SA-7 "Strela" (Igla) missiles, impervious to jamming.

EB-66 在強大的威脅下作戰。北越飛彈營，例如經驗豐富的範長輝領導的第 62 飛彈營，最近部署了致命的 SA-2 地對空飛彈。此外，敵人也提出了新的陰險威脅：不受干擾的肩射 SA-7「Strela」（Igla）飛彈。

The Battle Unfolds

戰鬥展開

As three B-52s approached their target, their flight path was detected by NVA radars. The EB-66s intercepted, positioning themselves to disrupt the SAM systems. Near Khe Sanh, "Fan Song" radars engaged, launching SA-2s. The B-52s' electronic warfare officers (EWOs) activated their jammers, diverting the missiles with various ECM emissions.

當三架 B-52 接近目標時，北越航空雷達偵測到了它們的飛行路徑。 EB-66 攔截並定位以破壞 SAM 系統。在溪山附近，「扇歌」雷達投入使用，發射了 SA-2。 B-52 的電子戰官 (EWO) 啟動了乾擾器，透過各種 ECM 發射來改變飛彈的方向。

However, the situation abruptly worsened as multiple additional SAM sites emerged, unleashing a barrage of SA-2s. Despite jamming efforts, the missiles relentlessly pursued the EB-66s. Simultaneously, heavy AAA fire erupted, adding to the perilous environment. Shrike missiles launched by F-105G Wild Weasels targeted the 100 mm guns responsible for the AAA fire.

然而，隨著多個 SAM 站點的出現，情況突然惡化，大量 SA-2 飛彈被發射。儘管進行了乾擾，飛彈仍無情地追擊 EB-66。同時，發生了嚴重的 AAA 火災，加劇了危險的環境。 F-105G 野鼬鼠發射的伯勞飛彈瞄準了負責 AAA 火力的 100 毫米火砲。

Bat 21's Fate

蝙蝠 21 的命運

Amidst the chaos, Bat 21's crew detected a third wave of SA-2 launches, the telltale signals indicating a guidance system not associated with "Fan Song" radars. The aircraft had entered the range of "Spoon Rest" or "Flat Face" acquisition radars, located just beyond the DMZ.

在混亂中，Bat 21 的機組人員偵測到了第三波 SA-2 發射，這些明顯的訊號表明導引系統與「扇歌」雷達無關。飛機已進入“Spoon Rest”或“Flat Face”捕獲雷達的探測範圍，該雷達位於非軍事區域之外。

Misinterpreting the missile trajectories, Bat 21's crew assumed they were originating from the south instead of the north. Moments later, an SA-2 slammed into the aircraft's belly, instantly killing all four crew members except Hambleton, who managed to eject.

Bat 21 的機組人員誤解了飛彈軌跡，認為它們來自南方而不是北方。片刻之後，一架 SA-2 猛烈撞擊飛機的腹部，除了成功彈射的漢布爾頓之外，所有四名機組人員立即喪生。

Witnessing the Tragedy

目睹悲劇

The harrowing scene unfolded before the eyes of O-2 Super Skymaster pilots 1st Lieutenant Bill Jankowski and Captain Lyle Wilson, who had been scouting the NVA advances. They observed the missiles ascending towards Bat 21 and witnessed the devastating explosion.

這一悲慘的場景展現在 O-2 超級天空霸主飛行員比爾·揚科斯基中尉和萊爾·威爾遜上尉的眼前，他們一直在偵察北越軍的進展。他們觀察到導彈飛向 Bat 21 並目睹了毀滅性的爆炸。

The Emergency Beacon and a Lifeline

緊急信標和生命線

In the aftermath, Jankowski detected an emergency beeper and established communication with Hambleton, who was parachuting towards the ground. As HC-130 rescue aircraft scrambled, Bat 22 provided ECM support, while Jankowski remained on scene as the on-the-ground commander for Hambleton's recovery.

隨後，揚科夫斯基偵測到緊急蜂鳴器，並與正在跳傘的漢布爾頓建立了聯繫。當 HC-130 救援飛機升空時，Bat 22 提供了 ECM 支持，而揚科夫斯基則留在現場，擔任漢布爾頓救援的地面指揮官。

Hambleton's Perilous Landing and Nightfall

漢布爾頓的危險登陸與夜幕降臨

Hambleton landed in a rice paddy amidst enemy-occupied territory, teeming with troops and armor. As darkness enveloped the area, Hambleton sought refuge in a nearby tree grove, evading detection while the rescue force assembled in Thailand.

漢布爾頓降落在敵佔區的一片稻田裡，船上擠滿了軍隊和盔甲。當黑暗籠罩該地區時，漢布爾頓在附近的樹林中尋求庇護，躲避被發現，而救援部隊正在泰國集結。

Rescue Attempts Amidst Hostility

敵意中的救援嘗試

Undeterred by the dangers, multiple rescue attempts were launched. A helicopter mission faced intense ground fire and was forced to abort, while a ground rescue team was met with heavy resistance. As the night wore on, the rescue efforts were suspended due to worsening weather conditions.

面對危險，我們並沒有被嚇倒，反而發起了多次救援嘗試。一次直升機任務遭遇猛烈的地面火力而被迫中止，而地面救援隊也遇到了頑強抵抗。隨著夜幕降臨，由於天氣狀況惡化，救援工作暫停。

Dawn of Hope

希望的黎明

With the arrival of dawn, a final attempt was made. A pair of HH-53 helicopters, accompanied by Cobra gunships for protection, infiltrated the hostile zone. Despite intense enemy fire, they successfully extracted Hambleton and transported him to safety.

隨著黎明的到來，進行了最後的嘗試。兩架 HH-53 直升機在眼鏡蛇武裝直升機的陪同下滲透到敵對地區。儘管敵人火力猛烈，他們還是成功救出了漢布爾頓並將他轉移到安全地帶。

A Sole Survivor's Tale

唯一倖存者的故事

Iceal Hambleton emerged as the lone survivor of the tragic Bat 21 incident. His harrowing experience and the valiant rescue efforts that followed became a testament to the sacrifices and heroism prevalent during the Vietnam War.

Iceal Hambleton 是 Bat 21 悲劇事件中唯一的倖存者。他的悲慘經歷和隨後的英勇救援努力證明了越戰期間普遍存在的犧牲和英雄主義。

Aftermath and Legacy

後果和遺產

The loss of Bat 21 and its crew served as a grim reminder of the relentless dangers faced by American airmen in the conflict. It also highlighted the importance of electronic warfare in modern aerial combat and the critical role played by rescue personnel in saving downed aircrew.

Bat 21 及其機組人員的損失殘酷地提醒人們，美國飛行員在這場衝突中面臨無情的危險。它還強調了電子戰在現代空戰中的重要性以及救援人員在拯救被擊落的機組人員方面發揮的關鍵作用。

The heroism and resilience exhibited during the Bat 21 rescue mission remain etched in military annals, a poignant reminder of the unwavering commitment to saving lives in the face of adversity.

Bat 21 救援任務中表現出的英雄主義和堅韌精神至今仍銘刻在軍事史冊中，深刻地提醒我們在逆境中堅定不移地致力於拯救生命。