Comes with a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity

*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 “NOBEOKA REGION”

SIDE TWO is titled “MIYAZAKI”

Nobeoka and Miyazaki, both located on the island of Kyushu in Japan, were pivotal in the extensive Allied planning for Operation Downfall, particularly for the initial phase known as Operation Olympic, which was aimed at invading and securing Kyushu. The strategic importance of these locations stemmed from their geographical positions, potential as logistic hubs, and as tactical elements within the broader strategy to effectively manage and mitigate the robust Japanese defenses expected across the island.

Nobeoka

1. Strategic Position:

Nobeoka, situated in the northern part of Miyazaki Prefecture along the east coast of Kyushu, had a strategic position due to its proximity to potential landing zones and its role as a northern anchor. This positioning was crucial for potentially splitting Japanese forces on Kyushu, drawing attention and resources northward and away from the primary southern landing zones.

2. Diversionary Tactics:

Nobeoka could serve both as a feint and a secondary operation area. By threatening or actually making landings at Nobeoka, the Allies could stretch the Japanese defensive efforts across a broader front, making it more challenging for the Japanese to concentrate their forces effectively against the primary landings expected in the southern regions like Kagoshima and the Ariake Bay.

3. Infrastructure and Logistic Support:

Given its infrastructure, including road and rail links, Nobeoka could support logistic operations for any sustained campaign across Kyushu. Securing such logistic pathways would be crucial for maintaining a supply chain once the primary beachheads were established further south.

Miyazaki

1. Landing Site Consideration:

Miyazaki, located on the southern coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, was considered a significant potential landing site due to its expansive beaches suitable for amphibious operations. The Allies planned extensive beach surveys and considered the topography suitable for landing troops and equipment, which was crucial for the initial assault phases.

2. Pre-invasion Bombardment Targets:

Like many other parts of Kyushu, Miyazaki was targeted for extensive pre-invasion bombardment intended to weaken Japanese military installations, disrupt communication lines, and reduce the overall effectiveness of the local defensive structures. This would soften the defenses ahead of the actual landings.

3. Strategic Airfield Location:

Capturing airfields near Miyazaki would provide the Allies with forward air bases necessary for supporting operations not only across Kyushu but also in preparation for the subsequent phase of Operation Downfall, Operation Coronet, which aimed at Honshu. These airfields would be essential for achieving and maintaining air superiority.

4. Psychological Impact and Tactical Flexibility:

Securing a significant portion of the Kyushu coastline, including areas like Miyazaki, would have a psychological impact on Japanese forces and command. It would also provide the Allies with tactical flexibility in either pivoting northward to link up with forces potentially landing at Nobeoka or driving westward towards key strategic objectives including the industrial heartland of northern Kyushu.

In the planning of Operation Downfall, Nobeoka and Miyazaki were seen as critical components of a larger strategic puzzle. Their roles were multifaceted: from serving as potential diversionary targets and actual landing sites to providing logistic support and enabling broader tactical maneuvers across Kyushu. This careful consideration of geographical and tactical elements in the planning stages underscores the complexity and depth of Allied military strategy, which aimed to overwhelm and outmaneuver Japanese defenses effectively. The planned operations for these areas, although never executed due to Japan's surrender after the atomic bombings, illustrate the detailed and layered approach the Allies intended to use to secure a victory in the Pacific.

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.