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== Service ==

== Service ==

The British were the first to order the P-38, although they were only used for training purposes. The P-38F was the first to be used--it was used extensively in North Africa and the Southern Pacific. The P-38G and H also served notably as bomber escorts in Europe, although with the development of the [[P-51 Mustang]] and the [[P-47 Thunderbolt]] they were almost phased out. Throughout the Pacific theatre they were used, as their long range, bomb capacity, and speed made them superb choices for land-based aircraft. In April 1943 18 were used to intercept and shoot down the plane carrying top Japanese commander Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto.<ref> Donald A. Davis, ''Lightning Strike: The Secret Mission to Kill Admiral Yamamoto and Avenge Pearl Harbor'' (2005)</ref>

The British were the first to order the P-38, although they were only used for training purposes. The P-38F was the first model to see combat--it was used extensively in North Africa and the Southern Pacific. The P-38G and H also served notably as bomber escorts in Europe, although with the development of the [[P-51 Mustang]] and the [[P-47 Thunderbolt]] they were almost phased out. They were used throughout the Pacific theatre, as their long range, bomb capacity, and speed made them superb choices for land-based aircraft. In April 1943, 18 [[Guadalcanal]]-based Lightnings were sent on a secret mission to intercept and shoot down the [[Mitsubishi G4M|plane]] carrying top Japanese commander Admiral [[Isoroku Yamamoto]].<ref> Donald A. Davis, ''Lightning Strike: The Secret Mission to Kill Admiral Yamamoto and Avenge Pearl Harbor'' (2005)</ref>

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

* Michael O'Leary. ''Lockheed P-38 Lightning'' (1999) [http://www.amazon.com/Lockheed-Lightning-Osprey-Production-Frontline/dp/185532749X/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231211157&sr=1-8 excerpt and text search]

* Michael O'Leary. ''Lockheed P-38 Lightning'' (1999) [http://www.amazon.com/Lockheed-Lightning-Osprey-Production-Frontline/dp/185532749X/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231211157&sr=1-8 excerpt and text search]

* John Stanaway and Tom Tullis. ''P-38 Lightning Aces of the ETO/MTO'' (1998) [http://www.amazon.com/P-38-Lightning-Aces-Osprey-Aircraft/dp/1855326981/ref=pd_bbs_sr_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231211042&sr=8-6 excerpt and text search]

* John Stanaway and Tom Tullis. ''P-38 Lightning Aces of the ETO/MTO'' (1998) [http://www.amazon.com/P-38-Lightning-Aces-Osprey-Aircraft/dp/1855326981/ref=pd_bbs_sr_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231211042&sr=8-6 excerpt and text search]

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