World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
6 Oct 2011 01:42:03 PM

Wreckage of Mitsubishi G4M1, Model 11 "Betty"
of the 705th Kokutai, T1-323 c/n 2656 that carried Adm. Yamamoto was shotdown by P-38 Lightnings from the 339th Fighter Squadron,
347th Fighter Group, 13th Air Force on
April 18, 1943. Both Betty bombers T1-323 and
T1-326 that carried Yamamoto and his staff were on an inspection tour of Japanese bases.

GET YAMAMOTO!

The six Zero fighter escorts, tried to fight off the sixteen P-38s, both Betty bombers and one P-38 were lost in the attack.

THE SITE TODAY:

The wreckage of Yamamoto's "Betty" bomber, is
one of the most historically significant of WWII. The crash site, is located in jungle near Moila Point a few kilometers from a road.
Today the wreckage is guarded from theft and souvenir hunters,permission must be obtained to visit he wreck.
Did you know the "Betty" bomber carrying Yamamoto, was a brand new aircraft, and was built in March 1943, at the Mitusbishi plant No 3 at Nagoya.

2.  Bill says:
6 Oct 2011 09:58:52 PM

What happened to the other "Betty" T1-326
After being shotup by P-38s aircraft ditched in the sea off Moila Point. When the P-38s
attacked, both Betty bombers took evasive action Yamamoto's bomber was shotdown and crashed in the jungle, the second betty flew low over the water taking hits trailing smoke and ditched in the water.

Survivors were Vice Admiral Ugaki Yamamoto's Chief of Staff, the pilot and one other crewmember all made it ashore and were later rescued.
The wreckage reportedly remains near the shore off reefs. No zero escorts were lost during the attack on Yamamoto.

3.  Bill says:
26 Nov 2011 11:44:19 AM

BOUGANVILLE AMBUSH: WHAT ABOUT THE ZERO ESCORTS

The six escorts were from 204 Kokutai that
was based at Lakunai (Rabaul East).
The Zeros were A6M3 Model 32 Hamp and A6M3 Model 22.
During the battle, both G4M Betty bombers were shotdown, none of the zero fighters were lost fighting the P-38s of the 347th FG.
Of the six pilots flying that day, five were
later killed in action and one survived the war.

CONTROVERSY TO THIS DAY:

Who shotdown Yamamoto. Both USAAF pilots 1st Lt.Barber and Capt.Lanphier claimed the kill another pilot Lt.Holmes claimed the Betty bomber shotdown and crashed into the water.
In 2003 Barber was given credit for shooting
down Yamamoto.