The Cold War between the Soviet Union and the US shaped world politics for more than three decades and has its impact even today. Even though never resulting in a proper war, the Cold War ensured tense relations between two superpowers and their allies. However, there were few incidents like the Cuban Missile crisis and the 1960 U-2 incident where the military of two superpowers came face to face and had the potential to result in a violent conflict. One such event took place on January 28, 56 years ago.
On January 28, 1964, 62-4448, a 7101st Air Base Wing North American T-39A Sabreliner twin engine jet trainer, departed Wiesbaden, West Germany, at 14:10 hours on a regular three-hour training trip. Three men were on board the trainer: Captain John F. Lorraine, Lieutenant Colonel Gerald K. Hannaford, and Captain Donald G. Millard, pupils.
The trainer was travelling for East Germany 47 minutes after takeoff, according to radar at two US air defence sites. Each station began calling the T-39 on Air Force frequencies and a Soviet-monitored international distress band in the hopes of diverting the plane back on course. Calls to the T-39 went unanswered repeatedly. The T-39's radio systems evidently failed, and the crew was unable to respond.
The T-39 entered East Germany after crossing the border. Radar blips suggested the three planes were travelling eastward for 11 minutes. Afterwards it is believed that the plane was shot down, however American officers monitoring the T-39's flight were unable to identify what had happened. At 15:14 hours, the incident is thought to have occurred.
The American personnel attempted to approach the plane throughout the night, but were constantly rebuffed by the armed Soviet personnel on the scene.
By the 29th of January, the US State Department had claimed that the Soviet Union had shot down an unarmed jet, killing three officers in the process. Moscow alleged, via the Soviet news agency Tass, that the plane had crossed into East German territory and failed to respond to signals and subsequently a warning shot. The Soviets said they were forced to perform the action that brought the US jet down.
The Soviets agreed on January 30 to allow US personnel access to the accident site. All three servicemen's bodies were later returned to the United States. On 1 February 1964, the aeroplane wreckage was also found and sent to Berlin.
Berlin, just like Germany, was decided into east and west. While the east was under soviet control, the west was pro US.
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