EXTREMELY RARE! WWII SECRET 1943 Naval Operations Solomon Islands Headquarters of the Commander in Chief Military Intelligence Report
EXTREMELY RARE! WWII SECRET 1943 Naval Operations Solomon Islands Headquarters of the Commander in Chief Military Intelligence Report
Comes with a hand-signed C.O.A.
This extraordinarily rare, museum-grade World War II artifact is an original "SECRET" marked "Battle Experience - Informational Bulletin," meticulously produced by the United States Fleet under the Headquarters of the Commander in Chief. During WWII, the operations and strategic planning of the U.S. Navy were directed by two prominent commanders: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC), and Admiral Ernest J. King, Commander in Chief of the United States Fleet (CINCUS). Their combined leadership played a pivotal role in the Allied victory.
This highly classified and intricately detailed bulletin, issued by the Headquarters of the Commander in Chief, contains secret military maps, intelligence reports, tactical movements, and a unique compilation of "battle experiences." These experiences were drawn from war diaries and battle reports submitted by various commanders and ships engaged in key operations. The bulletin was printed in extremely limited quantities, strictly for the eyes of high-ranking military officials, including Officers and Generals.
The rarity of this document is underscored by the directive on its first page, which states: "Information must not fall into enemy hands - when no longer required they shall be destroyed by burning. No report of destruction need be submitted." As a result, only a handful of these original "SECRET" "Battle Experience - Informational Bulletins" are believed to still exist.
This particular "SECRET INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. 10" is a remarkable example, titled "Battle Experience - Naval Operations Solomon Islands Area 30 June - 12 July 1943 " It offers an unparalleled glimpse into the strategic operations and experiences of the United States Navy during some of the most crucial campaigns of the Pacific Theater.
Naval Operations Solomon Islands Area 30 June - 12 July 1943:
The WWII Naval Operations in the Solomon Islands Area from 30 June to 12 July 1943 were part of the broader Allied campaign to secure the Solomon Islands from Japanese control. During this period, the Allies, primarily U.S. forces, conducted a series of naval and amphibious operations aimed at capturing the strategically significant island of New Georgia, particularly its airfield at Munda.
The campaign began on 30 June 1943 with Operation Cartwheel, which involved coordinated landings on multiple islands in the New Georgia group. The U.S. Navy provided crucial support by bombarding Japanese positions, protecting transport ships, and engaging in several naval battles, including the Battle of Kula Gulf on 6 July and the Battle of Kolombangara on 12 July. Despite facing fierce Japanese resistance, including air and naval counterattacks, the Allies succeeded in securing key footholds, laying the groundwork for further advances in the Solomon Islands campaign. These operations were vital in the eventual neutralization of the Japanese stronghold at Rabaul, contributing significantly to the Allied victory in the Pacific.