April 21, 1943 (Wednesday)

“Button,” Espiritu Santo

After three days of stewing and red tape, Wink Heywood finally wrangled me a “scat” trip to Nouméa. Supposed to leave tomorrow noon.

The dope is out (officially) that on the 19th the command of Cactus got word that a person believed to be the Japanese Admiral Yamamoto was flying from Rabaul to Kahili. About 30 P-38s were sent out and intercepted three new Mitsubishi 01s with a Zero escort. The three Mitsubishis were shot down, plus four Zeros. Later, intercepted messages were believed to confirm the suspicion of some very high personage being aboard.