Bat 21：入侵阴影下的悲剧与胜利

1972 年 4 月 1 日，越南战争期间，一架代号为“Bat 21”的 EB-66C 轰炸机在分隔南北越南的非军事区 (DMZ) 附近被苏联 SA-2 导弹击落。由于 EB-66 损失罕见、北越敌对部队的存在以及飞行员 Icheal“Gene”Hambleton 中校的成功营救，“Bat 21”的损失和随后的救援尝试引起了广泛关注。该事件凸显了冲突期间在竞争激烈的空域执行任务的美国空军机组人员所面临的挑战。

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

Bat 21：入侵阴影下的悲惨损失和英勇救援

Prelude to Disaster

灾难的前奏

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 日这一决定性的日子，当共产主义威胁笼罩南越时，戴夫·布鲁克班克少校的前线空中管制飞机检测到非军事区 (DMZ) 附近即将发生入侵的不祥迹象。即将到来的入侵是预料之中的，美国的撤军在该地区留下了一支骨干力量，坚持“越南化”政策，将南越的防御委托给自己的军队。

The Mission and the Threat

使命与威胁

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，作为后卫行动的一部分，雷达制导的 B-52 攻击开始，伴随着严重的空中损失。其中包括编号为“Mike 81”的 O-2A FAC 飞机，它在猛烈的高射炮 (AAA) 火力下丧生。随着冲突升级，EB-66 的损失成为当天的决定性时刻，标志着大胆救援任务的开始。

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 被指定为“蝙蝠”，其任务是为 B-52 的攻击提供电子对抗 (ECM) 支持。两架 EB-66 飞机“Bat 22”和“Bat 21”在非军事区附近的空域巡逻。 Bat 22 承担了干扰“Fan Song”和“Fire Can”雷达的角色，而 Bat 21 由韦恩·博尔特少校驾驶，由 Iceal“Gene”Hambleton 中校导航，试图定位 SAM 和 AAA 雷达位置。

Entering the Lion's Den

进入狮子窝

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 在强大的威胁下作战。北越导弹营，例如经验丰富的范长辉领导的第 62 导弹营，最近部署了致命的 SA-2 地对空导弹。此外，敌人还提出了一种新的阴险威胁：不受干扰的肩射 SA-7“Strela”（Igla）导弹。

The Battle Unfolds

战斗展开

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.

当三架 B-52 接近目标时，北越航空雷达检测到了它们的飞行路径。 EB-66 拦截并定位以破坏 SAM 系统。在溪山附近，“扇歌”雷达投入使用，发射了 SA-2。 B-52 的电子战军官 (EWO) 启动了干扰器，通过各种 ECM 发射来改变导弹的方向。

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，随着多个 SAM 站点的出现，情况突然恶化，大量 SA-2 导弹被发射。尽管进行了干扰，导弹仍无情地追击 EB-66。与此同时，发生了严重的 AAA 火灾，加剧了危险的环境。 F-105G 野鼬鼠发射的伯劳导弹瞄准了负责 AAA 火力的 100 毫米火炮。

Bat 21's Fate

蝙蝠 21 的命运

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.

在混乱中，Bat 21 的机组人员检测到了第三波 SA-2 发射，这些明显的信号表明制导系统与“扇歌”雷达无关。飞机已进入“Spoon Rest”或“Flat Face”捕获雷达的探测范围，该雷达位于非军事区之外。

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 的机组人员误解了导弹轨迹，认为它们来自南方而不是北方。片刻之后，一架 SA-2 猛烈撞击飞机的腹部，除了成功弹射的汉布尔顿之外，所有四名机组人员立即丧生。

Witnessing the Tragedy

目睹悲剧

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.

这一悲惨的场景展现在 O-2 超级天空霸主飞行员比尔·扬科斯基中尉和莱尔·威尔逊上尉的眼前，他们一直在侦察北越军的进展。他们观察到导弹飞向 Bat 21 并目睹了毁灭性的爆炸。

The Emergency Beacon and a Lifeline

紧急信标和生命线

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.

随后，扬科夫斯基检测到紧急蜂鸣器，并与正在跳伞的汉布尔顿建立了联系。当 HC-130 救援飞机升空时，Bat 22 提供了 ECM 支持，而扬科夫斯基则留在现场，担任汉布尔顿救援的地面指挥官。

Hambleton's Perilous Landing and Nightfall

汉布尔顿的危险登陆和夜幕降临

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.

汉布尔顿降落在敌占区的一片稻田里，船上挤满了军队和盔甲。当黑暗笼罩该地区时，汉布尔顿在附近的树林中寻求庇护，躲避被发现，而救援部队正在泰国集结。

Rescue Attempts Amidst Hostility

敌意中的救援尝试

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.

面对危险，我们并没有被吓倒，而是发起了多次救援尝试。一次直升机任务遭遇猛烈的地面火力而被迫中止，而地面救援队也遇到了顽强抵抗。随着夜幕降临，由于天气状况恶化，救援工作暂停。

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.

随着黎明的到来，进行了最后的尝试。两架 HH-53 直升机在眼镜蛇武装直升机的陪同下渗透到敌对地区。尽管敌人火力猛烈，他们还是成功救出了汉布尔顿并将他转移到安全地带。

A Sole Survivor's Tale

唯一幸存者的故事

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 悲剧事件中唯一的幸存者。他的悲惨经历和随后的英勇救援努力证明了越南战争期间普遍存在的牺牲和英雄主义。

Aftermath and Legacy

后果和遗产

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 及其机组人员的损失残酷地提醒人们，美国飞行员在这场冲突中面临着无情的危险。它还强调了电子战在现代空战中的重要性以及救援人员在拯救被击落的机组人员方面发挥的关键作用。

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 救援任务中表现出的英雄主义和坚韧精神至今仍铭刻在军事史册中，深刻地提醒我们在逆境中坚定不移地致力于拯救生命。