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 one-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 “BUNGO STRAIT”

The Bungo Strait, a narrow waterway separating the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku in Japan, played a significant strategic role in the planning of Operation Downfall, particularly in Operation Olympic, the planned initial phase of the invasion which targeted the island of Kyushu. The Strait's geographic and strategic importance derived from its role as a key maritime route that could influence naval operations, logistical movements, and potentially the overall success of the Allied landings. Here’s an exploration of the strategic considerations surrounding the Bungo Strait in the context of Operation Downfall:

1. Control of Naval Routes:

The Bungo Strait was critical for controlling naval access between the Pacific Ocean and the Inland Sea of Japan. Gaining control or dominance over this strait would allow the Allies to restrict the movement of Japanese naval forces, particularly submarines, which could pose a significant threat to Allied shipping and landing operations along the coast of Kyushu.

2. Prevention of Japanese Reinforcements:

One of the primary concerns for the Allies was the ability of the Japanese to reinforce their troops on Kyushu from other parts of Japan, especially the major industrial areas in Honshu. Controlling the Bungo Strait would help cut off these reinforcement and resupply routes, making it more challenging for Japanese forces in Kyushu to sustain a prolonged defense against the Allied invasion.

3. Submarine and Mine Warfare:

The Japanese were expected to use the Bungo Strait for aggressive submarine operations and to lay minefields to deter and damage Allied naval forces. Therefore, Allied planning needed to include extensive anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations and minesweeping activities before the main invasion forces could safely approach Kyushu. This was essential to protect the vast armada of transport and combat ships required for the invasion.

4. Amphibious Landing Support:

While the Bungo Strait itself was not a landing site, control over the area was crucial for securing the eastern and southern approaches to Kyushu. The Allies planned extensive amphibious landings along the Kyushu coast, and securing the sea lanes through the Bungo Strait was vital for the safe movement of these invasion forces. Ensuring these waters were clear of enemy threats would facilitate smoother landings and faster buildup of troops and supplies onshore.

5. Strategic Bombing and Air Superiority:

The Allies needed to achieve and maintain air superiority over the Bungo Strait to protect their naval forces and to support their ground troops effectively. This required targeted bombings of Japanese airfields, radar installations, and anti-aircraft positions that could threaten Allied aircraft operating in the vicinity of the strait. Dominance in the air would also assist in reconnaissance and rapid response to Japanese movements in the area.

6. Psychological and Tactical Diversion:

The presence of Allied naval forces in the Bungo Strait could also serve as a tactical diversion, drawing Japanese attention and resources away from the actual landing sites. This form of psychological warfare was intended to spread thin Japanese defenses, creating vulnerabilities that the Allies could exploit during their primary landings.

In the grand strategy of Operation Downfall, the Bungo Strait was more than just a geographic feature; it was a pivotal element in the Allied plan to isolate Kyushu, protect invasion fleets, and ensure the success of ground operations by hindering Japanese naval and supply capabilities. The planned operations in and around the Bungo Strait highlight the comprehensive nature of Allied military strategy, which encompassed naval, air, and ground components all working in concert to achieve a decisive victory over Japan. Although Operation Downfall was ultimately never executed due to Japan's surrender after the atomic bombings and the Soviet entry into the war against Japan, the strategic planning involving the Bungo Strait remains a notable example of detailed military planning in 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.