picture 204523

By the time the KPAF re-established its training programme at Yanji, the service’s 15 surviving Po-2 biplanes had become redundant and were grouped together in a ‘liaison battalion’. Unable to strike UNC forces in any other way, this squadron started training in night bombing attacks and – despite heavy losses (initially more than 50%) – began sporadic nocturnal harassment (called ‘night heckler’) raids that largely frustrated USAF night intercept attempts. The unit’s Po-2s were painted black overall, with ‘tail numbers’ applied in white or red. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)