Comes with C.O.A.

This extraordinarily rare, museum-grade World War II map, dated September 1945 and marked "SECRET," is titled Okinawa Shima and represents a unique piece of war-time history. This advanced copy, produced by the 3020th Engineer Topographical Company (Corps), served as a critical staging map for the U.S. Navy and Army during the preparation for Operation Downfall—the planned invasion of mainland Japan. Its advanced nature and "SECRET" classification underline its significance, as it provided detailed, war-time intelligence essential for strategic planning.

The map is an invaluable artifact, being the only war-time produced map known to detail the U.S. military's secret installations, airfields, supply depots, battalion headquarters, and operational bases on Okinawa following the conclusion of the Battle of Okinawa (April 1 to June 22, 1945). This pivotal battle was one of the bloodiest campaigns of the Pacific Theater, ultimately securing Okinawa as a crucial stronghold for U.S. military operations. The island's strategic importance was unparalleled—it offered a fleet anchorage, troop staging areas, and airfields close to Japan, making it an essential launch point for any invasion of the Japanese mainland.

The map further reveals the intricate naval, joint operational, and army areas established on Okinawa in preparation for the historic Operation Downfall, which consisted of two massive sub-operations: Operation Olympic and Operation Coronet. Scheduled for November 1945, Operation Olympic aimed to capture the southern third of Kyūshū, the southernmost main island of Japan. Okinawa's recently secured airfields and harbors were to serve as the principal staging areas for this immense amphibious assault. Following Operation Olympic, the subsequent Operation Coronet was planned for early 1946, targeting the Kantō Plain near Tokyo on Honshu, Japan's main island. Together, these operations represented an unprecedented military endeavor, combining air, sea, and ground forces on a scale never before attempted.

Operation Downfall, had it been executed, would have marked the largest amphibious military operation in human history. The map reflects this immense scale of preparation, including secret U.S. military positions and logistics, highlighting the extensive planning and coordination that went into what would have been an extraordinarily complex campaign.

Additionally, the map holds significance in its connection to Operation Zebra, the effort to clear mines from surrounding waters to ensure safe anchorage and operational readiness around Okinawa. Following the U.S. victory in Okinawa, the island fell under the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands, a military government established to solidify control and prepare for future operations. The map's detailed representation of these installations and plans provides a window into this crucial transition period in the Pacific Theater, as the Allies positioned themselves for what was anticipated to be the final push toward victory in the war.

This artifact not only embodies the historical weight of the Battle of Okinawa and its aftermath but also serves as a tangible link to the monumental planning of Operation Downfall. It is a testament to the U.S. military's meticulous preparations and the strategic significance of Okinawa as the final stepping stone to mainland Japan.