Col Rex T Barber (Navy Cross, Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart, Air Medal and others) was majoring in Agriculture Engineering from Oregon State University before joining the Army Air Crops. During his assinement to 339th sq, he was flying P 38 Lightnings and scored for two kills (Zeros). Apr 18, '43 a remarkable date in the intercepted air raids of WW2, the Op Vengeance succesfully over ruled the Japs' naval mastermined Yamamoto. 'Magic' however intercepted and NTF131755 was encoded the JN 25 D, which showed clearly Yamamoto's itinerary, in almost details of His movement during the course, ie., He would be flying from Rabaul with six A6M Zeros along with two G4M Bettys etc. Basically Yamamoto was on an inspectional movement in that region to get the details for his troop shipments and to solve the then running drinking water shortage problems. However, Maj J Mitchel stated that Yamamoto was coming to Bouganville and He should be shot down in the air to ensure death. To over come the operation, Maj Mitchel selectetd Lieut Tom Lanphier, Lieut J Moore, Lieut Jim McLanahan and Col Rex T Barber precisely for his core combat group! Here the Action with P 38 Lightnings ..
When was the American version of the story (film) released? I had always read, heard, that knowledge of anything to do with interception of Japanese crypto was so highly classified as to be insane to be even thought about. The film openly speaks of the interception of radio messages as the source of the intelligence which lead to Yamamoto's death. Yikes!!
Well it is not superimposed but an edited gun-camera footage/clip, showing action of P 38 Lightnings, what I understand, provided it would have been better if the Japs portion edited/added with Euro/US sub titles .. Anyway, its authentic as I feel I must recall Leiut Com John P Stevence (Bronze Star, Victory Medal-WW2, Presidential Medal of Freedom) for his service in the code breaking team of Magic (for which he was awarded Bronze Star). Interesting to me is that once Rex met Reiko Mihasi (widow of Yamamoto) and she thanked him as well as the US Government for helping rebuild Japan after the war, not knowing Rex, the actual hero of Op Vengeance, talking to her!
All well and good, but I asked for the release date of the film clip. I presume it was post-war but I would like confirmation of this. Otherwise this film clip is a security violation. From some of the phrasing, though, this clip gives the appearance of being released DURING the war.
A very good reflex of your knowledge, thanks. Since we are getting it as an edited clip/footage, its difficult to trace the releasing date of the aboriginal film. But what I believe that these types of footages have been released much much later of the War!
Yes, My impression was that is was released DURING the war, but I admit I have only watched it once. And if released during the war this would have been a security breach of the first order, which alarms me. Ergo, it must have been released AFTER the war, but that means some of the story seems odd. Just curious.
Barber Jr. was recalling his father's experiences from WW2 .. http://pamplinmedia.com/msp/129-news/153503-barber-recounts-fathers-experience-from-world-war-ii
