12-01-2006, 06:58 PM
Quote:Soviets acquired the downed B-29s in 1944, when the USSR wast still a neutral. Superforts were flying through the CBI theater long before the Navy captured Pacific islands close enough for overwater attacks.
The Portuguese and the Swiss didn't give birds back, either (because they repainted and used the machines themselves).
The USSR, GB and the US were allies for a long time before '44. The USSR could not care less in '44 if Japan were to declare war on them. They cared in '41, but not in '44.
I don't know the circumstances under which the Portugese and the Swiss got a hold of the US planes. Can you elaborate on that? However, when your ally asks you to please hand over the plane that was forced to land on your soil, you might examine it first sure, but not to give it back at all shows an utter contempt for your supposed ally. I find it hard to believe that 2 countries like Portugal and Switzerland(???) would do the same thing without the consent of the US.
-A