Crew History
The pilot, Hiroshi Hayashi is still alive and lives on Yaku Sihima Island. He declines interviews from Japanese researchers and authors.

Mission History
Took off from Rabaul, accompanying Admiral Yamamoto aboard G4M1 Betty 2656. for an inspection of the forward airfield at Buin Airfield (Kahili) escorted by A6M Zeros.

Intercepted on April 18, 1943 by P-38's of the 339th FS on a secret mission to intercept Yamamoto. The Lightnings were fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks for the 600 mile round trip from Figher 2 (Kukum) on Guadalcanal.

Damaged, it belly landed into the sea. The only survivors were Yamamoto's chief of staff Vice-Admiral Matome Ugaki, and pilot Hayashi and one other crewmember waded ashore.

Wreckage
Reportedly, wreckage remained near shore and on the reef.

References
13th Fighter Command in World War II - Chapter 8 - Yamamoto Mission pages 137 -162

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Last Updated
October 15, 2009

Betty