AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 11 September 1945, Page 5

AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE

ADVANCED INFORMATION OBTAINED JAPANESE CODE CRACKED New Y«rk, Sept. 10. American intelligence broke the Japanese code and death resulted in April 1943. for Admiral Yamarroto, C.-in-C. of the Japanese Navy. The code was cracked in March or April. 1943 and South Pacific headquarters knew in ad--1 Vance what time Admiral Yamamoto would leave Truk and arrive in Buka, leave Buka for Kahili or Ballalfalso and what route he was following. Six Lightning pilots volunteered to make a direct attack while other Lightnings acted as decoys to draw off Admiral Yamamoto’s Zeros.

The Americans flew to a rendezvous with the admiral who arrived as anticipated in a convoy of two bombers escorted by 20 Zeros. Decoys flying at 18.000 feet tried to lure off the enemy but the enemy would not be tempted. Two Lightnings peeled off at 24.000 feet and vertically dived through the decoys direct to the bombers, not knowing which held Admiral Yamamoto. One American almost collided with the first bomber, gave it a long burst and pulled u. just as the bomber exploded. The Zeros were frantic but as they took after the first attacker the other American raced in and gave the second bomber a long burst, after which it exploded and then the Americans hit out for home flying ten feet above the water doing all kinds of acrobatics to escape the vengeful Zeros. Neither was shot down but before they escaped they shot down two Zeros. The Lightnings were badly shot up but managed to reach their base.

Japanese correspondents captured in the Philippines last July filled in the gaps, saying Admiral Yamamoto was shot down over Shortland Island by .American planes diving out of the sun. Yamamoto’s charred body was found in a bomber seat leaning forward with h': chin on a samurai swoid.