pacificrypt

http://www.microworks.net/pacific/intelligence/pearl_harbor.htm

http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/reviews/showrev.cgi?path=28053961002468

http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/ultra/nwc-01.html

http://codebrkr.infopages.net/fhistory.htm  

http://world.std.com/~Ted7/syama.htm

http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/cpsc/cryptography

 

The Final Flight of Admiral Yamamoto

In a most extraordinary air interception of the entire Pacific campaign, Captain Thomas G. Lanphier of the Thirteenth Air Force shot down a bomber carrying Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto on an inspection trip of Japanese bases.

Allied intelligence had discovered that Yamamoto, the director of the attack on Pearl Harbor and a leading Japanese military leader, would be over Ballale in the Solomon Islands at 0945 on 18 April, 1943. Ironically, eighteen P-38s from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, where chosen to go after the Admiral's plane. It was a dangerous mission, calling for a 435-mile, low-level, over water flight to an area that was bound to be swarming with enemy protective fighters.

Captain Lanphier led a flight of four P-38s, the remaining twelve were to provide cover for them. The pilots had been brief carefully for this mission that rested on the fact that Admiral Yamamoto was a notoriously punctual man. The admiral's plane was right on time. And, so were the attacking P-38s.

Lanphier fought his way though the swarm of Zeros protecting the Admiral's bomber. He was able to fire one long, steady burst which sent the bomber burning into the jungle. It crashed and exploded leaving no doubt as to the final flight and fate of Admiral Yamamoto.

 

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