Admiral Yamamoto was killed only 16 months into the war. Despite warnings, he insisted on conducting an inspection visit of forward Japanese positions in the northern Solomon Islands. Details of the trip were known to the Americans and since the route was within range of P-38s from Guadalcanal, an interception operation was planned. This scene shows the moment when the American aircraft spotted Yamamoto’s G4M1 Type 1 “Betty” bomber on the morning of April 18. The bomber is from 705 Kokutai and bears minimal unit markings. Being a new aircraft, its green camouflage is minimally worn. Behind the Betty is a P-38G fighter from the 339th Fighter Squadron piloted by Lieutenant Rex Barber. The Betty is trying to evade Barber by skimming over the surface of the Bougainville jungle. Barber had little difficulty shooting down the Betty owing to its lack of armor and unprotected fuel tanks. The crash killed all onboard, including Yamamoto. The next day, his body was recovered from the jungle and his cremated remains were eventually returned to Japan