[Llarry]

In the Spring of 1951, United Nations forces wanted badly to disable or destroy the Hwacheon dam that helped North Korea generate badly-needed electrical power in the midst of the Korean War. The dam was sturdily built with a thickness at the base of 240 feet.

The initial effort was a bombing raid by U.S. Air Force B-29s dropping heavy bombs. The dam was still functioning.

Next the Navy tried with a bombing raid by AD Skyraiders from the aircraft carrier USS Princeton dropping 2000-pound bombs; again, no joy.

The Princeton had on board a dozen old air-dropped Mark 13 aerial torpedoes that had been useful in sinking the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II and it was decided to try a torpedo attack on the dam.

Eight Princeton-based Skyraiders were loaded with one torpedo each, including five AD-4s from VA-195 and three AD-4N night attack variants from a detachment of VC-35. The eight ADs took off on May 1, 1951, escorted by F4U Corsair fighters and dropped their torpedoes behind the dam. The attack was a success and the dam's generators were put out of action.

This was the last use of heavy aerial torpedoes by U.S. Navy aircraft. (Antisubmarine P-8As and MH-60Rs continue to use lightweight ASW homing torpedoes.)

Attack Squadron 195 adopted the nickname the Dambusters, which they use to this day, although they are now known as Strike Fighter Squadron 195 and fly the F/A-18E Super Hornet.