Yamamoto Crash Site: April 18, 1943

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Crash site of Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto, Commander-In-Chief, Combined Fleet Imperial Japanese Navy. The admiral was scheduled to arrive at nearby Ballalae airfield the morning of April 18, 1943 for an inspection tour of forward bases in the Solomon Islands. The Mitsubishi G4M-1 “Betty” bomber he was riding in was intercepted and shot down by USAAF P-38G Lightning fighters at around 0935 local time. Another “Betty” carrying Yamamoto’s staff was also shot down and crashed in the waters off Bougainville. Chief of Staff Admiral Matome Ugaki was the sole survivor from either aircraft.

Yamamoto’s remains were not recovered until the next day due to the extreme remoteness of the crash site in the Bougainville jungle. According to legend, Yamamoto’s body was found with his hands still calmly grasping his samurai sword. Though he had two bullet wounds, some controversy remains as to whether he died of gunfire, during the crash, or post-impact. The remains were cremated at Buin and returned to Japan aboard the battleship Musashi. The Japanese public were not informed of his death until May 21.

The crash site is in a very remote, though acessible, area of Bougainville. Large sections of Yamamoto's aircraft remain at the crash site. Memorials were erected at the site in the post-war era by Japanese veterans. Currently protected by the PNG government as a historic site.