What about the US discreetly but deliberately targeting Soviet advisors, and vice versa? Would that cause a war?
You have to make very clear distinction between individuals from certain country who become involved in some military affair in other country at their own risk and military personnel sent by their superior to fight. For example, Russian citizens did fight in ACW, however it does not prove that Russian Empire sent advisors to Lincoln (they actually did sent a naval group, but that is separate story. Israel (especially during early days of Independence War) had plenty of individuals from other countries, serving as volunteers (ideology-driven), mercs or combination of thereof. You can google on Machal to find out more. However, to the best of my knowledge, Israel never used foreign troops in combat (they came fairly close to it in 1956, but didn't cross the line).Why does it confuse you that the Israelis had US advisors?![]()
This is an urban legend originally cooked up by Soviet propaganda machine. Soviets made the claim early during the war and Americans offered that every American carrier in Medi would be shadowed by Soviet sub sailing unsubmerged next to it and monitoring that there're no planes taking off from said carrier with Stars of David markings. I personally knew Soviet Navy officer who served on one of said subs and he claims that there were no violations.The most often repeated claim is that USAF/USN pilots flew F-4s during YKW
I don't find it impossible to believe. After all, Rahm Emanuel did serve in IDF during Gulf War and IDF does have a "foreign volunteer" program operating non-stop since 1948. Besides, some of said cabbies could possess dual citizenship.as for cabbies, I might believe it if there would be some concrete proof
It would not cause a war but it likely would cause a lot of American losses. There was kind of unwritten rule that superpowers don't hunt opponent's military personnel more than necessary (Soviet SAM crews shooting American pilots in 'Nam and CIA advisors killing Soviets in Afghanistan were "price of doing business"). Switching to targeted assasinations would kill at least as many Americans as Soviets (Americans tended to favour heavier deployments, so most of 3rd world conflicts saw more American advisors than Soviet ones) and Americans are much more sensitive to losses than USSR ever was.What about the US discreetly but deliberately targeting Soviet advisors, and vice versa? Would that cause a war?
The SU might say that the US ruthlessly killed Soviet aid workers that were giving medical and logistical support to the opressed workers of Vietnam.
[Insert obligatory rant about how the correct abbreviation for the Soviet Union is "USSR" rather than "SU", knowing that no one will care.]
as for cabbies, I might believe it if there would be some concrete proof
I have a vague idea that during the Cold War sometimes spies would have wars, where they would kill off their opposite numbers instead of just dealing with their presence. Perhaps that could be another aspect of the Cold War, combattants turning nasty and taking out their frustrations on enemy advisors, and it being kept quiet.
Phantoms - possibly, as this plane remained IAF's workhorse for decades. However, language issue does come to mind... Hunter? As in "Hawker Hunter"? Very unlikely, IAF never employed this type of plane. However, it is possible that some Brit Jewish pilots with Hunter experience volunteered for IAF during YKW. I doubt they flew for IAF though.incidentally serving RAF pilots with Hunter and Phantom hours flew in the Yom Kippur although they probably did have dual nationality.
Fought? Quite possibly. There were Soviet advisors there. Killed? Less likely. AFAIR Soviet losses there were in single digits, and I find it pretty hard to believe that both of your pals did kill Soviets. I would explain it with "Asian horde syndrome", when everyone fighting Soviets is bound by Western perceptions to kill boatloads of them, preferably with single bullet (Russian history buffs calculated that sum of Russian losses claimed during WWII by different Axis powers and co-belligerents exceeds pre-war population of USSR, not just available manpower).two white Rhodesians who killed Russians fighting for Mugabe.