LOSS OF JET FIGHTER

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28532, 11 March 1958, Page 13

LOSS OF JET FIGHTER

Error Of Pilot Admitted ((Rec. 11 p.m.) NEW YORK, March 10. The United Nations Command formally admitted today that a United States Sabre je + had violated North Korean air space when it was shot down last Thursday and asked for the pilot’s immediate return “for appropriate punishment,” the United Press reported from Panmunjon. Major-General Olaf Keyster, heading the United Nations delegation to a meeting of the Truce Commission, answered the North Korean charge that the American fighter had violated the armistice agreement by flying north of the truce line. He said that United States aircraft had been guilty of three violations on that day. “Our side is aware that certain violations occurred,” General Keyster said. “Although our investigation is not complete my side is prepared to admit the violations.” The United Press said that Communist journalists at the truce village for the meeting, disclosed that the missing pilot, Captain Leon Pfeiffer of Wisconsin, was alive and well after parachuting from his Sabre jet which was disabled by North Korean anti-air-craft fire.

It was the first word on his fate. The chief North Korean delegate, Major General Kang Sang Ho, said Captain Pfeiffer’s jet, in company with another plane, continued to fly deeper into North Korea in spite of warning gunfire. He said the anti-aircraft fire finally hit Captain Pfeiffer’s jet and he bailed out, landing nearly 25 miles north of the truce line. The United Nations Command, General Kang said, must “immediately stop such acts . . . and the personnel involved in this incident should be strictly punished in accordance with the armistice agreement.” General Keyster said the violations were a result of navigational errors. Heavy Snow In Britain (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. Heavy overnight snowfalls blocked some main roads in northeast England early today, and roads were ice-covered and dangerous to traffic in many parts of Britain. Deep snowdrifts covered many main roads in Yorkshire, where several isolated farms were cut off. All coastal roads in the north-east of England were impassable. In south-west England, main roads were six inches deep in snow after heavy overnight falls. The Air Ministry said the ?old snap would last at least two more days, and forecast further snow and low temperatures.