EXTREMELY RARE! WWII SECRET 1943 Gilbert Islands Headquarters of the Commander in Chief Military Intelligence Report
EXTREMELY RARE! WWII SECRET 1943 Gilbert 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. 15" is a remarkable example, titled "Battle Experience - Supporting Operations Before and During the Occupation of the Gilbert Islands November 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.
Supporting Operations Before and During the Occupation of the Gilbert Islands November 1943:
The occupation of the Gilbert Islands in November 1943 was a critical turning point in the Pacific Theater of World War II, marked by the intense Battle of Tarawa. This campaign was the result of meticulous planning and execution of supporting operations, including intelligence gathering, naval and air bombardment, and logistical preparations, all aimed at weakening Japanese defenses and ensuring the success of the amphibious assault. Despite facing significant challenges, such as navigating coral reefs and enduring fierce Japanese resistance, U.S. forces secured a foothold in the Central Pacific, providing a strategic base for future operations. The victory at Tarawa, though costly, demonstrated the effectiveness of the "island hopping" strategy and underscored the importance of coordinated air, naval, and ground operations, shaping the conduct of subsequent campaigns in the Pacific War.