Solomons Air War Vol 4 - Operation I-Go & the death of Yamamoto March - June 1943

This fifth volume in the "Solomons Air War" series chronicles the air war in the Solomon Islands region from March 1 to June 28, 1943. It can be read either as a standalone work or as part of the broader series. This pivotal period marked an intense new phase in the Solomon Islands campaign following the fighting around Guadalcanal, triggered by Japan’s audacious "Operation I-Go"—a massive aerial assault aimed at annihilating Allied defenses. While the operation forced a temporary withdrawal of U.S. naval forces, it ultimately sealed the fate of its highly regarded architect, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who was killed during a brilliant, large-scale interception maneuver carried out by American fighter aircraft. Meanwhile, the Allies bolstered their air power on Guadalcanal and the Russell Islands, preparing for an advance into the northern Solomon Islands. Beyond "Operation I-Go," the period from March to June 1943 saw repeated large-scale aerial engagements, culminating in the campaign’s largest clash to date—sparked by the little-known "Operation Se." During this time, the "Cactus Air Force" fielded various land-based U.S. Navy and Marine Corps squadrons, while heavy bombers established a permanent presence at Carney Field. Other notable developments included the prominent role played by U.S. Marine Corps F4U Corsairs in fighter missions, the first use of TBF Avengers for offensive aerial minelaying, and the combat debut of B-25 Mitchells in the Solomon Islands in June. Drawing on original Allied and Japanese documents, this account provides an authentic, fact-rich, and compelling narrative of the increasingly complex theater of operations that was the Solomon Islands.