Comes with a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity

Size: 19.5 x 27 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 “KAGOSHIMA BAY & ARIAKE BAY”

SIDE TWO is titled “KANOYA” and “KAGOSHIMA”

Kagoshima Bay and Ariake Bay were crucial in the planning of Operation Downfall, specifically within the context of Operation Olympic, the initial phase targeting the invasion of Kyushu. These bays were strategically significant due to their geographic locations, natural features, and potential to support large-scale amphibious landings. Here’s an in-depth look at how Kagoshima Bay and Ariake Bay were integrated into the planning and their intended roles in the broader Operation Downfall.

Kagoshima Bay

1. Geographic and Strategic Importance:

Kagoshima Bay, located at the southwestern tip of Kyushu, was a prime target due to its deep waters, natural anchorage, and proximity to the main transportation routes into the interior of Kyushu. Its capture was seen as essential for controlling access to southern Kyushu and for supporting subsequent operations deeper into Japan.

2. Major Landing Zone:

Kagoshima Bay was designated as one of the primary landing sites for Operation Olympic. The bay's extensive coastline provided multiple landing beaches suitable for amphibious assaults. These beaches were selected based on their gradients, tidal patterns, and proximity to key objectives such as transportation hubs and defensive positions.

3. Naval and Air Operations:

The bay's location made it an ideal staging area for naval and air operations. The Allies planned to use Kagoshima Bay as a base for naval bombardments to soften Japanese defenses ahead of the landings. Additionally, securing the bay would enable the establishment of airfields to support ground operations and to ensure air superiority over southern Kyushu.

4. Infrastructure and Logistics:

Kagoshima Bay's infrastructure, including its ports and road networks, was critical for the logistical support of the invasion force. The Allies intended to use the ports to unload troops, vehicles, and supplies necessary for sustaining the invasion. The road and rail networks would facilitate the rapid movement of forces inland, enabling the Allies to consolidate their beachheads and advance towards strategic targets.

5. Japanese Defenses:

The Japanese had heavily fortified Kagoshima Bay in anticipation of an Allied invasion. Defensive preparations included extensive minefields, coastal artillery, bunkers, and anti-aircraft positions. The Japanese also planned to use kamikaze attacks launched from nearby airfields to disrupt and damage the Allied invasion fleet.

Ariake Bay

1. Geographic and Strategic Importance:

Ariake Bay is located on the eastern coast of Kyushu. Its strategic importance lay in its deep waters and relatively sheltered location, making it another prime target for amphibious landings. Ariake Bay provided an alternative entry point into Kyushu, complementing the landings planned for Kagoshima Bay.

2. Secondary Landing Zone:

Ariake Bay was identified as a secondary landing site for Operation Olympic. The beaches around Ariake Bay were suitable for landing large numbers of troops and equipment. The Allies planned to use this bay to conduct simultaneous landings with those at Kagoshima Bay, thereby dividing and overwhelming Japanese defensive efforts.

3. Supporting Operations:

Securing Ariake Bay was intended to support the overall invasion by providing additional landing sites and spreading out Japanese defenses. The bay would also serve as a base for air operations and provide a location for constructing airfields to support the advancing Allied forces.

4. Logistical Support:

Ariake Bay's ports and harbors were crucial for logistical support. The Allies planned to use these facilities to unload supplies, equipment, and reinforcements. The ability to sustain a continuous flow of supplies was essential for maintaining the momentum of the invasion and supporting prolonged combat operations on Kyushu.

5. Japanese Defenses:

Like Kagoshima Bay, Ariake Bay was heavily defended by the Japanese. Coastal defenses included artillery positions, bunkers, and extensive fortifications. The Japanese also prepared for potential kamikaze attacks from airfields in the vicinity, aiming to inflict maximum damage on the invading forces.

Coordination and Execution

1. Simultaneous Landings:

The planning for Operation Olympic involved coordinated simultaneous landings at multiple points, including Kagoshima Bay and Ariake Bay. This strategy was designed to dilute Japanese defenses, create multiple fronts, and prevent the Japanese from concentrating their forces in any one location.

2. Pre-landing Bombardments:

Both bays were to be subjected to extensive pre-landing naval and aerial bombardments. These bombardments aimed to destroy Japanese defensive positions, reduce the threat of kamikaze attacks, and create a more favorable environment for the amphibious assaults.

3. Establishing Beachheads:

Securing robust beachheads at Kagoshima Bay and Ariake Bay was essential for the success of the overall invasion. These beachheads would serve as initial staging areas for further inland operations, allowing the Allies to build up their forces and prepare for the next phase of the invasion, which targeted the main island of Honshu.

4. Logistical and Operational Hubs:

The capture of these bays would facilitate the establishment of logistical and operational hubs. These hubs would be crucial for maintaining the supply lines, supporting ongoing operations, and enabling the rapid deployment of additional forces and resources.

Kagoshima Bay and Ariake Bay were integral to the planning of Operation Downfall, particularly within the framework of Operation Olympic. Their geographic locations, natural features, and existing infrastructure made them prime targets for the initial phase of the invasion of Kyushu. The detailed planning and strategic considerations for these bays underscore the complexity and scale of the proposed operation. Despite the meticulous preparation, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Japan's subsequent surrender rendered Operation Downfall unnecessary. However, the planning for Kagoshima Bay and Ariake Bay remains a testament to the strategic foresight and logistical capabilities of the Allied forces during World War II.

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.