Navy Operation Plans and Orders, 1941-1945: Finding Aid
Published in September 2012
Summary Information
- Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
- Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6917
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php - Call number: MS 418
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: Navy Operation Plans and Orders
- Dates: 1941-1945
- Size: 0.83 linear feet
- Container Summary: 2 manuscript boxes containing 12 items
- Creator: Japan. Kaigunsho
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: Originally the product and property of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the Plans and Orders were distributed by General Headquarters, South West Pacific Area to American forces between April and August 1945 in twelve parts. The plans and orders, which also include charts, glossaries, tabular data, and subject indexes, touch upon Japanese preparations for war with the United States, Operation Sho, destroyer and cruiser doctrines, North Pacific operations, the Ominato Guard District, Philippine operations, and various other Japanese Navy operational doctrines and strategies.
History of the Navy Operation Plans and Orders
On October 28, 1944, the Japanese cruiser Nachi arrived in Manila Bay, along with several other vessels, to provide support to Japanese reinforcements landing at Leyte. Beginning the next day, Nachi came under attack by American forces from Task Group 38.2, until she was finally sunk off Corregidor on November 5 by aircraft from U.S.S. Lexington (Aircraft carrier: CV-16). After American forces recaptured Manila in March 1945, divers from U.S.S. Chanticleer (Submarine rescue ship: ASR-7) dove on the wreck and recovered classified Japanese Navy planning documents. Upon being returned to the General Headquarters of the Southwest Pacific Area, General Douglas MacArthur ordered that the documents be translated and distributed by the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section.
Description of Contents
The Navy Operation Plans and Orders, comprising 0.83 linear feet of documentation, span from 1941 to 1944, were translated in 1945, and consist entirely of captured Japanese naval plans and orders from World War II.
The Navy Operation Plans and Orders are arranged by part number into a single record series with no subdivisions. Originally the product and property of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the Plans and Orders were distributed by General Headquarters, South West Pacific Area between April and August 1945 in twelve parts. The plans and orders, which also include charts, glossaries, tabular data, and subject indexes, touch upon Japanese preparations for war with the United States, Operation Sho, destroyer and cruiser doctrines, North Pacific operations, the Ominato Guard District, Philippine operations, and various other Japanese Navy operational doctrines and strategies.
Arrangement
The Navy Operation Plans and Orders are arranged by part number into a single record series with no subdivisions.
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
The Navy Operation Plans and Orders are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Provenance and Acquisition
Unknown.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
Additional materials pertaining to Japanese war plans and order of battle during World War II can be found in the NSA/CSS Cryptologic Documents series in Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from this collection.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
Navy Operation Plans and Orders, MS 418
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Selected Bibliography
The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:
Lacroix, Eric. Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 2007.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in September 2012. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in September 2012.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Allied Forces. South West Pacific Area. Allied Translator and Interpreter Section
- Japan. Kaigun -- Order-books
- United States. Navy. South Pacific Force
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Naval operations, Japanese
- World War, 1939-1945 -- South Pacific Ocean
Genre Terms
- Manuscripts
- Orders (military records)
Contents List
Part VIII: Combined Fleet Operation Orders, Orders and Serials, 1945 June
Pertains to operations in case of war with the United States, Great Britain, and the Netherlands, initial preparations for war, basic force organization, operations in the Philippines, Operation AL, Operation MI, and communications.