Interlude in Iturup

(2 of 2)

It was clear that by holding the plane the Russians could scuttle talks with the U.S. On the other hand, their release of 214 Americans for combat would invite a propaganda cudgeling from China, ever eager to berate Moscow for betraying its allies in Hanoi. In the end, both sides displayed an encouragingly sophisticated, fresh approach to defusing the danger. Next day, Thompson was handed a curt protest note. Just as curtly, the U.S. apologized and Flight 253A was set free, reaching Japan with a planeload of grubby, bearded troopers bound for Cam Ranh Bay in Viet Nam.

After lengthy Soviet interrogation sessions, Tosolini signed a letter regretting a violation of Soviet sovereignty that he insists never occurred