Comes with a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity

Size: 14 x 19 inches

*THESE COMBINED CHIEF OF STAFF 1945 OPERATION DOWNFALL (JAPAN) INTELLIGENCE INVASION MAPS ARE OF THE SAME RARITY AS THE BIGOT OPERATION OVERLORD D-DAY PLANNING MAPS.

This extremely rare and museum-grade World War II artifact is an original “CONFIDENTIAL” marked Operation Downfall FIRST PROOF planning map used by the Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) during the top secret planning of mainland Japan. The Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) was the supreme military staff for the United States and Britain during World War II. It set all the major policy decisions for the two nations, subject to the approvals of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Operation Olympic was a planned Allied (American and British) invasion during World War II, intended as the first major phase of Operation Downfall, which was the overall Allied plan for the invasion of the Japanese home islands. Set to begin in November 1945, Operation Olympic aimed to capture the southern Japanese island of Kyushu as a staging area for the subsequent invasion of the main island, Honshu, under Operation Coronet. The preparation for Olympic involved intricate planning, massive troop mobilizations, and considerable logistical challenges. It was expected to be the largest amphibious operation in the history of warfare, overshadowing even the D-Day landings in Normandy.

This Operation Downfall double-sided Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) intelligence planning map is one of only a handful that still exist as these intelligence maps were closely guarded due to the invasion information they contained.

SIDE ONE is titled “YATSUSHIRO - KAGAMI”

SIDE TWO is titled “KAGOSHIMA REGION”

Yatsushiro and Kagoshima were both significant in the planning of Operation Downfall, specifically in Operation Olympic, which was the first phase targeting the invasion of the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. These locations were critical due to their geographic and strategic importance. Here’s a detailed examination of how Yatsushiro and Kagoshima factored into the planning and operational considerations of Operation Downfall.

Yatsushiro

1. Geographic and Strategic Importance:

Yatsushiro is located on the west coast of Kyushu, near the Yatsushiro Sea, which provided a strategic entry point for the invading forces. The surrounding region's terrain and infrastructure made it a vital target for establishing control over southern Kyushu.

2. Amphibious Landings:

The planning for Operation Olympic included Yatsushiro as a key landing site due to its accessible coastline and the presence of a natural harbor, which would facilitate the landing of troops and equipment. The area's topography allowed for relatively secure anchorage points, making it suitable for large-scale amphibious operations.

3. Establishment of a Beachhead:

Securing Yatsushiro was crucial for establishing a robust beachhead. This beachhead would serve as a primary base of operations for further inland advances and for securing additional strategic locations. The Allies planned to use this beachhead to consolidate their forces and prepare for subsequent operations deeper into Kyushu.

4. Logistical and Supply Hub:

Yatsushiro was planned to become a significant logistical and supply hub. Its harbor would be used to bring in essential supplies, including food, ammunition, and medical equipment. Ensuring a steady supply line was critical for maintaining the momentum of the invasion and supporting the troops on the ground.

5. Airfield Construction:

The establishment of airfields in and around Yatsushiro was part of the broader strategy to secure air superiority. These airfields would be essential for providing close air support to ground troops, conducting reconnaissance missions, and facilitating air resupply operations. Control of local airspace would be crucial in defending against Japanese counterattacks.

Kagoshima

1. Geographic and Strategic Importance:

Kagoshima is situated at the southwestern tip of Kyushu, overlooking Kagoshima Bay. Its location made it an important target for controlling access to the interior of Kyushu and for launching further operations towards other parts of Japan.

2. Major Landing Zone:

Kagoshima was identified as a primary landing zone for Operation Olympic. Its large bay offered an excellent anchorage for the invasion fleet, allowing for the deployment of a substantial number of troops and vehicles. The terrain around Kagoshima provided opportunities to quickly secure a large area and establish defensive positions.

3. Naval and Air Operations:

The proximity of Kagoshima to Okinawa, which had been secured by Allied forces earlier in 1945, made it a strategic point for launching naval and air operations. The Allies intended to use Kagoshima Bay as a staging area for naval bombardments and air operations to support the ground invasion and neutralize Japanese defenses.

4. Infrastructure and Transportation:

Capturing Kagoshima was also vital due to its developed infrastructure, including roads and railways. These transportation networks would be crucial for moving troops, equipment, and supplies inland and for maintaining logistical support for the advancing Allied forces.

5. Japanese Defenses:

The Japanese anticipated that Kagoshima would be a significant target for the Allied invasion. As a result, they fortified the area heavily, with extensive defensive positions, including bunkers, artillery emplacements, and minefields. The Japanese also prepared for kamikaze attacks, using Kagoshima's airfields as bases for suicide missions aimed at disrupting the invasion fleet.

Overall Role in Operation Downfall

Coordination with Other Landing Sites:

Yatsushiro and Kagoshima were part of a broader network of landing sites planned for Operation Olympic. Coordinated assaults on multiple locations were intended to overwhelm Japanese defenses, prevent effective counterattacks, and secure key strategic positions simultaneously. This multi-pronged approach was designed to maximize the element of surprise and to establish a strong foothold on Kyushu.

Strategic Objectives:

The capture of Yatsushiro and Kagoshima would provide the Allies with critical positions from which to launch further operations into Kyushu and beyond. These locations were pivotal for securing southern Kyushu, which would serve as a staging area for the subsequent invasion of Honshu (Operation Coronet).

Operational Challenges:

The planning for these operations involved extensive reconnaissance and intelligence gathering to understand the Japanese defensive preparations and to identify the best approaches for the landings. The Allies anticipated fierce resistance and planned for substantial aerial and naval bombardments to soften Japanese defenses before the landings.

Conclusion

Yatsushiro and Kagoshima played significant roles in the planning of Operation Downfall, specifically within Operation Olympic. Their geographic locations, natural harbors, and strategic importance made them key targets for the initial invasion of Kyushu. Securing these areas was essential for establishing beachheads, logistical hubs, and airfields, which would facilitate further operations into Japan. The detailed planning for these operations, despite their eventual cancellation due to Japan's surrender following the atomic bombings and the Soviet declaration of war, underscores the complexity and scale of the proposed invasion and the meticulous preparation undertaken by the Allies.

The Role of the Combined Chiefs of Staff in Planning Operation Downfall during World War II:

During World War II, the Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) played a crucial role in the planning of Operation Downfall, which was the codename for the proposed Allied plan for the invasion of Japan. The CCS was an amalgamation of the British Chiefs of Staff Committee and the American Joint Chiefs of Staff. This unique Anglo-American body was established to oversee the strategic direction of the Allied war effort and to facilitate cooperation between the British and American military services.

Formation and Function of the Combined Chiefs of Staff

The Combined Chiefs of Staff was formed following the Arcadia Conference in Washington, D.C., in late 1941 and early 1942. This body allowed the highest-ranking military leaders from both nations to coordinate their strategies efficiently and to plan major operations in a unified manner. The CCS was critical in deliberating and shaping strategic decisions across the various theaters of the war, ensuring that resources were allocated in line with overall Allied priorities.

Planning for Operation Downfall

As the war in the Pacific progressed towards Japan, it became clear that an invasion might be necessary to compel Japanese surrender. Operation Downfall consisted of two major parts: Operation Olympic and Operation Coronet.

1. Operation Olympic: Scheduled for November 1945, this was planned as the initial invasion of the southern island of Kyushu. It aimed to secure airfields and a staging area to support the larger subsequent invasion.

2. Operation Coronet: Slated for the spring of 1946, this operation involved the invasion of the main Japanese island of Honshu, and the capture of Tokyo.

The Role of the CCS in Planning

Strategic Planning: The CCS's role in planning Operation Downfall was multifaceted, involving strategic, operational, and logistical dimensions. They assessed intelligence reports, evaluated the strength and disposition of Japanese forces, and deliberated on the estimated casualties and the requirements for air, naval, and land forces.

Coordination of Resources: One of the critical challenges was the allocation of resources between theaters of war. Even as plans for Operation Downfall were being refined, the CCS had to balance resources between the Pacific and European theaters. This included decisions on the production and deployment of new weapons, like the allocation and potential use of atomic bombs.

International Collaboration: The CCS facilitated discussions and planning between British and American forces regarding the Pacific, despite the primary American responsibility for this theater. British forces were expected to contribute significantly, especially in naval and air support roles.

Contingency Planning: The CCS also had to consider alternatives to an invasion, including blockade and bombing strategies aimed at inducing a Japanese surrender without a costly land invasion.

Impact of the Atomic Bomb on Planning

The development of the atomic bomb and its eventual use in August 1945 dramatically altered the strategic landscape. The CCS had been informed of the Manhattan Project and its progress, and by mid-1945, the possibility of using the atomic bomb became a critical factor in their deliberations. The successful test of the atomic bomb in July 1945 (Trinity test) and its subsequent use on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August led to Japan's surrender and rendered Operation Downfall unnecessary.

The Combined Chiefs of Staff played a pivotal role in the planning of Operation Downfall by ensuring a coordinated Allied approach to what would have been the largest amphibious invasion in history. Their efforts in planning, resource allocation, and strategic decision-making underscored the importance of joint command structures in modern military operations. The use of atomic weapons ultimately obviated the need for the invasion, but the detailed plans developed under the auspices of the CCS demonstrate the complexity and scale of the proposed operation. This planning effort was crucial in preparing for a potential invasion if the war had not ended following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Full History of Operation Olympic:

Operation Olympic was a planned Allied invasion during World War II, intended as the first major phase of Operation Downfall, which was the overall Allied plan for the invasion of the Japanese home islands. Set to begin in November 1945, Operation Olympic aimed to capture the southern Japanese island of Kyushu as a staging area for the subsequent invasion of the main island, Honshu, under Operation Coronet. The preparation for Olympic involved intricate planning, massive troop mobilizations, and considerable logistical challenges. It was expected to be the largest amphibious operation in the history of warfare, overshadowing even the D-Day landings in Normandy.

Strategic Context

By mid-1945, Japan's situation was dire. The country had suffered extensive bombing raids, naval blockades, and the crippling defeat of its navy. However, the Japanese military and government were prepared to defend the homeland fiercely, adopting a strategy of causing maximum casualties to force a negotiated peace. This context set the stage for Operation Olympic, part of a larger strategy to bring about a swift end to the war without the projected heavy Allied casualties.

Planning and Preparations

1. Objectives of Operation Olympic

The primary objective of Operation Olympic was to establish a significant presence on Kyushu. This would facilitate the launching of further operations and enable tighter control of the seas around Japan, particularly the Korea Strait, thereby cutting off Japanese forces in Manchuria from retreat or reinforcement back to the homeland.

2. Forces and Equipment Involved

Operation Olympic called for a vast array of personnel and equipment. The plan involved more than 14 divisions from the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. The Sixth Army, under General Walter Krueger, was designated as the primary formation for the initial landings, supported by a vast naval fleet including British Royal Navy units, and a powerful array of aircraft from the U.S. Navy and Army Air Forces.

3. Tactical Planning

The invasion plan was detailed and complex, involving landings at multiple points on Kyushu’s western and southern shores. These landings were to be supported by pre-invasion aerial and naval bombardment intended to neutralize Japanese air and sea capabilities as much as possible. The Allies also planned to use airborne assaults to capture key positions inland.

Logistical Challenges

The logistics of mounting such a vast operation were daunting. Supplies, equipment, and hundreds of thousands of troops needed to be transported halfway around the world. The Allies had to build and enhance bases, ports, and airfields on captured Pacific islands and the Philippines. Additionally, ensuring supply lines remained open and capable of supporting the ongoing battle was a monumental task, involving thousands of ships, aircraft, and ground transport vehicles.

Japanese Defenses

Anticipating an Allied invasion, the Japanese prepared extensive defensive measures under the codename Operation Ketsu-Go. The strategy was to fortify beaches, improve infrastructure for troop movements, conserve scarce resources, and prepare the civilian population for home defense. On Kyushu, the Japanese deployed a substantial number of troops, including several well-equipped divisions and numerous kamikaze aircraft. The goal was not merely to repel an invasion but to inflict such severe losses that the Allies would reconsider their strategy.

Potential Casualties and Ethical Considerations

U.S. planners estimated very high casualties for Operation Olympic, with some estimates running into hundreds of thousands. The prospect of such high losses weighed heavily on military planners and political leaders. This grim outlook led to considerations of alternative means to end the war, including tightening the naval blockade and increasing aerial bombing, which were already having significant effects on Japan's ability to continue the war.

Operation Olympic was an unprecedented military endeavor that never came to fruition but highlighted the scale and complexity of Allied military planning during World War II. The operation’s preparation involved enormous effort and resources, which underscored the Allies' determination to end the war decisively. Although the atomic bombings and Japan’s subsequent surrender preempted the need for Olympic, the planning for the operation offers valuable insights into the logistical and tactical challenges of large-scale amphibious assaults, as well as the grave ethical and strategic considerations faced by wartime leaders.