The U-2 Spy Plane Shoot Down

A panel discussion was held on the downing of Francis Gary Powers' U-2 spy plane over the Soviet Union on 1 May 1960. Drawing upon newly declassified documents on the Board of Inquiry which examined Powers' conduct during the shoot down and his subsequent captivity, the panelists examined the repercussions of the U-2 shoot down in international politics and intelligence history. After the presentations, some accompanied by slides, the panelists responded to questions from members of the audience. Mr. Pocock moderated.

“The U-2 Shoot Down” was the second panel of the forum at the Wilson Center, “Mayday 1960: Reassessing the U-2 Shoot Down,” to examine the role of the U-2 in the missile-gap debate and the political, diplomatic, and intelligence history surrounding downing of Francis Gary Powers' U-2 over the Soviet Union on 1 May 1960. Convened in connection with the 50th anniversary, this panel was held at 3:45 p.m. on April 28, 2010. close