US Lightnings in formation. When the US Pacific High Command intercepted a Japanese signal which indicated the route of Yamamoto's inspection tour in the western Solomons, a long-range fighter ambush was immediately ordered. Sets of extra fuel tanks were rushed to Guadalcanal from Port Moresby - and, on 18th April, Major Mitchell of US 199 Squadron set out from Tassafaronga Field with 18 picked Lightning pilots. The Admiral's flight turned up on schedule and Mitchell's pilots intercepted it after a two-hour flight out from Guadalcanal. Yamamoto was travelling in a Sally transport, and while the other Lightnings took on the six Zero escorts, Lieutenant Lanphier closed in on Yamamoto's plane and chased it out of formation, shooting it down at so low an altitude that none of its passengers or crew escaped the crash. - ?005 TopFoto