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Chapter 4: Commencement of the overland-route offensive on Port Moresby
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Chapter 4: Commencement of the overland-route offensive on Port Moresby
- Commencement of research for the Ri Operation
Units under the command of the 17th Army
Conception of the advance by land
Issues related to the selection of units
Orders from the 17th Army
Army and navy local agreement
Deployment of the Yokoyama Advance Party
Transition from an advance by sea to the advance by land
- Commencement of the advance by land
Offensive orders from the 17th Army
Orders from the South Seas Force
Preparedness of the navy
Landing of the advance party
The 17th Army’s judgment concerning an advance by land
Army and navy central agreement
Transport of troops to Buna
Army and navy local agreement
Operational leadership by the 17th Army
Formation of the 8th Fleet and disposition of the units
- Plan to change the formation of the fleet in the Pacific area
Change of formation after the naval battle at Midway
Activation of command of the 8th Fleet
Disposition of various formations
Airfield at Guadalcanal
Tulagi and Gavutu
Surface units and the 2nd Air Corps
Assessment of the situation
Operations of the 25th Air Flotilla
- The air war of attrition intensifies
Airbase preparations
Reconnaissance of the situation of the Allies
The Rabi airfield
Plan to transfer the 26th Air Flotilla to the South Pacific Area
Plans of Imperial Headquarters in early August
- From the Pacific Ocean to Chungking and the Indian Ocean
Imperial Headquarters’ operational policy in the South Pacific Area
Notes
Ri Operation Study
Commencement of research for the Ri Operation
The headquarters of the 17th Army flew out of Tokyo on 7 June 1942 and lodged at Fukuoka with the intention of flying on to Manila the following day via Taipei. That evening, however, a telegram was received from Imperial Headquarters that stated: "Delay your departure and wait to be contacted by staff officer Imoto."
At around 9 pm the following night at the Matsushima Ryokan, staff officer Imoto from Imperial Headquarters secretly informed the 17th Army staff officers of the setback in the Midway operation and the postponement of the FS Operation. Though he did not mention the real truth of the defeat, the news was a great shock to the general staff. There were none among them who had considered that the operation would be cancelled.[1]
Staff officer Imoto presented the "Outline of implementing the F Operation according to the prevailing conditions", which had been adopted by the Army Department of Imperial Headquarters. After that, he relayed the intentions of Imperial Headquarters, as follows:
According to the latest intelligence from the navy, it is felt that the strategic course of an overland attack of Port Moresby is possible. The 17th Army should use the time while the [FS] Operation is postponed to gather intelligence concerning the feasibility of this strategy.[2]
Great Army Instruction No. 1,179[3]
- The following directions are based in Great Army Order No. 633.
1. The command of the 17th Army will temporarily postpone its execution of the F and Mo Operations. Its main strength should be concentrated at Mindanao and Davao, with part strength in the Bismarck Island area, to begin preparations for subsequent operations.
2. The headquarters of the Southern Area Army will facilitate the execution of 17th Army headquarters operational preparations.
3. Security of the 17th Army garrison at Mindanao is the responsibility of the 17th Army headquarters. Details will be determined through coordination between headquarters of the 17th Army and the 14th Army.
Great Army Instruction No. 1,180
The following directions are based in Great Army Order No. 633.
1. In addition to preparations for operations according to Great Army Instruction No. 1,152, 17th Army headquarters will immediately begin research, in cooperation with navy units in the area, for the feasibility of an overland attack of Port Moresby from the north coast of British New Guinea.
2. Cooperation with the navy shall be attained to occupy an area along the banks of the Mambare River in order to carry out research for the previous item.
3. The results of this research must be immediately forwarded to the chief of staff.
12 June 1942
- Research for the Mo Overland Operation
Overview
- An opportunity for preparation has resulted from the postponement of execution of the F and Mo Operations. Detailed research and preparations for an overland attack on Port Moresby will be undertaken owing to difficulties encountered in the sea-route attack.
- 1. This study will be undertaken with the cooperation of the army and the navy. Responsibility for this lies with the 17th Army and the 4th Fleet.
2. It is expected that the necessary units under the command of the 17th Army will be despatched to the region. It is planned that these units will be transported from Davao to Rabaul by Ryôyô Maru (approximately 6,000 tonnes, 22 kilometres per hour) at the appropriate time.
3. A force will occupy an area on the banks of the Mambare River, in collaboration with the navy, in order to carry out this research. The aforementioned vessel will be used to accomplish this task.
4. Overland routes other than previously specified will also be researched.
5. Navy aircraft in the region will undertake reconnaissance (including aerial photography) and will positively cooperate with the research preparations.
6. The headquarters of the 17th Army will notify Imperial Headquarters, who will determine if the results of the research warrant amendments to the existing outline of the Mo Operation plan.
7. It is anticipated that the results of the research will call for repairs (and construction) of roads. An independent engineer regiment (armoured) and Taiwanese labourers will be despatched to the area for this purpose.
8. It is expected that in the case of an overland attack on Port Moresby, with the exception of the Aoba Detachment, appropriate units for this operation will be changed.
9. In the case of an overland attack on Port Moresby, consideration shall be made to amend the organisation and equipment of these units, and to strengthen necessary units (engineers (armoured), packhorse supply, medical system, water supply and disease prevention units, land duty units, etc.).
10. This feasibility study will be conducted as much as possible in secret.
11. This study will be called the "Ri Operation Study".
The strength of the 17th Army at the time of the arrival of its headquarters in Davao on 15 June was as follows:
The South Seas Force was stationed in Rabaul after the difficulties encountered in the sea-route attack of Port Moresby. It was incorporated into the 17th Army command structure on 20 May.
The 35th Infantry Brigade (brigade headquarters and 124th Infantry Regiment, less the 114th Infantry Regiment – after that known as the Kawaguchi Detachment) participated in the invasion of British Borneo. After completion of those operations, it was transferred to the Philippines and took up subjugation duties from the beginning of April. The brigade was transferred from Cagayan (200 kilometres north of Davao) to Davao after receiving the great order of 18 May. After arriving on 6 June, the brigade was incorporated into the 17th Army command structure. The commander of the brigade was Major General Kawaguchi Kiyotake, and the chief of staff was Major Ôsone Yoshihiko.
After participating in the invasion of Java, the various units of the Aoba Detachment were deployed in subjugation duties in the western area of Java. The detachment was mobilised according to the great order of 18 May and departed from Batavia on 26 May. It landed in the Davao area (Tebunko and Lasang) on 5 June and was incorporated into the command of the 17th Army.
Operational preparation orders issued previously on 28 May required the detachment to assemble at Parao in readiness for the offensive against Port Moresby. The delay in the offensive resulted in the detachment remaining at Davao. The commander was Major General Nasu Yumio, and the chief of staff was Captain Taguchi Kazuo.
The 41st Infantry Regiment of the 5th Division participated in the Malaya campaign. It was subsequently attached to the 9th Infantry Brigade and redeployed to the Philippines, where it was assigned to subjugation duties in the southern Philippines from April. The operation was postponed while the unit was preparing to advance to Davao from Cagayan according to the great order of 15 May. Consequently, the 41st Infantry Regiment was incorporated into the 17th Army command structure on 15 June.
Imperial Headquarters had determined that the South Seas Force and the main force of the 17th Army (less the advance communications units in Rabaul) would be incorporated into the 17th Army command when they arrived in Davao. However, units that had not arrived in Davao by 12 June were also incorporated from 15 June at their present locations. The commander of the 41st Infantry Regiment was Colonel Yazawa Kiyomi. The two battalions under his command were called the Higashi Detachment according to the operational preparation orders issued on 28 May. The other two battalions were attached to the command of the 35th Infantry Regiment.
The 15th Independent Engineer Regiment had arrived previously in Davao and was incorporated into the 17th Army command.
Command of the 17th Army had units stationed on Mindanao, with some at Davao and Rabaul. On 17 June, 17th Army headquarters ordered units to deploy to the following locations to prepare for operations.
17th Army headquarters was to be located at Davao. It arrived by the high-speed Ayatosan Maru on 22 June.
| Unit | Location |
| 35th Infantry Brigade (less two battalions seconded) | Parao |
| South Seas Force | Rabaul |
| Aoba Detachment | Davao |
| Higashi Detachment (two battalions of 41st Infantry Regiment returned) | Davao |
| Army units | Davao |
These orders resulted in the redeployment of the 35th Infantry Brigade and the Aoba Detachment. The 35th Brigade was intended for the Fiji offensive operations. Parao had numerous coral shelves that enabled the brigade to practice landing operations.[5] In accord with these orders, the brigade left Davao on 2 July and arrived in Parao on 4 July. The Higashi Detachment arrived in the Davao area (Dariaon) from Cagayan on 28 June.
The main basis for the activities of the 17th Army lay in the Ri Operation Study issued by the chief of staff. At this time, Imperial Headquarters was leaning heavily towards an overland offensive against Port Moresby owing to the expected results of the Ri Operation Study.
Conception of the advance by land
It was natural that the reduction of air power and strategic limitations based on the ability to directly apply military power on the battlefield were also influential on the success or failure of any overland offensive. At that time, however, the dominant concerns were topographical: could a land army advance overland from eastern New Guinea and approach Port Moresby from the rear?
The highest peaks of the Owen Stanley Range that run along the spine of eastern New Guinea are Mt Albert Edward (75 kilometres south-west of the mouth of the Mambare River) and Mt Victoria (50 kilometres further south of Mt Albert Edward). Both peaks are over 4,000 metres above sea level and are covered with snow year-round. In the upper reaches of the Mambare River valley to the south-east of the foothills of Mt Victoria lies the plateau called Kokoda. The Owen Stanley Range is narrowest to the south-west of Kokoda. If the range could be traversed at this point then the prize of Port Moresby would be ready for the taking.
Immediately after the battle of the Coral Sea, the navy’s 8th Base Force and the South Seas Force at Rabaul continued investigations from documents and local testimony into the existence of roads across to Port Moresby. Initially, overland supply routes were sought after the revival of the sea-route invasion of Port Moresby.[6] As a result of this, an early report was submitted to Imperial Headquarters that there seemed to be a road to Port Moresby.
Investigations by Imperial Headquarters and local units up to the end of June was not conclusive concerning the track to the west of Kokoda, but showed that it divided en route into two pack-horse trails and two other narrow trails that led to Port Moresby. The existence of the following from the coast to coast to Kokoda was determined: a narrow trail along Mambare River valley up to Kokoda (native trail); a narrow trail along Kumusi River valley up to Kokoda (native trail); a pack-horse trail from Buna to Kokoda.
- 1. There exists a 2–3 metre wide track along the Mambare River and Kumusi River for approximately 5 kilometres inland, and a 1 metre wide track for a further 10 kilometres. Thereafter a road was not detected owing to thick jungle.
2. There is a road passable by motor transport between Buna and Kokoda. There is a bridge over the Kumusi River passable by motor transport to the east of Papaki. This road is in flat terrain devoid of ravines.
3. Detected a prominent road winding through the rugged valleys between Kokoda and Fada (Editor’s note: mountains north of Isurava). Determined areas that are passable by motor transport and areas where difficulties would arise.
This road emerges from Fada at the summit of the mountain, and then runs west along the Waume Creek (Editor’s note: probably the upper reaches of the Brown River) until it disappears in the clouds. It is judged to be a road passable by motor transport that proceeds to Port Moresby.
4. No other prominent roads were detected in the area.
Imperial Headquarters requested a force to occupy the banks of the Mambare River according to the results of the Ri Operation Study. This was a decision to advance a so-called "bridgehead reconnaissance force". With information on the existence of the previously mentioned roads, 17th Army headquarters despatched this reconnaissance bridgehead not to the banks of the Mambare River, but to Buna.
Issues related to the selection of units
The next problem was the selection of units to undertake the study. The headquarters of the 17th Army considered assigning the main body of the 15th Independent Engineer Regiment, which had performed with distinction in the Malaya campaign, together with elements of an infantry unit. Whether this infantry unit should be the South Seas Force or the Aoba Detachment was to be determined by future deployment concerns.
As previously described, the South Seas Force was initially intended for the sea-route offensive against Port Moresby, but was transferred to the capture of New Caledonia under the FS Operation. The Aoba Detachment was planned for use in the offensive against Port Moresby. Both detachments had been informed of these arrangements and had begun appropriate preparations.
After the difficulties they encountered in the sea-route offensive against Port Moresby, the commander and staff of the South Seas Force were enthusiastic about the prospects for the New Caledonia operations, and had lost interest in the Port Moresby offensive.[7] It was natural, therefore, for the 17th Army headquarters to consider assigning the Aoba Detachment as infantry support to the 15th Independent Engineer Regiment on the Port Moresby operation as planned.
However, there were considerations over and above the condition of the despatched units. There was advantage in using the South Seas Force stationed in Rabaul over the Aoba Detachment in Davao if rescue was considered necessary, or if an overland offensive against Port Moresby was considered urgent. For the Aoba Detachment to be deployed, the main strength of the unit would need to be transferred to Rabaul, where accommodation was limited and losses from enemy air attacks would need to be considered. This was not considered the best course of action.[8]
The 17th Army command risked the possibility of failure of the overland offensive against Port Moresby if it assigned the responsibility for the Ri Operation Study to the South Seas Force, whose command had not shown enthusiasm for the task. Further, the psychological impact of suddenly changing arrangements and month-long preparations were given great consideration, so the plan to assign the Ri Operation Study to the Aoba Detachment was kept in reserve.
At this time it had become clear that Imperial Headquarters could barely supply one vessel for use in the Ri Operation Study. The availability of suitable shipping had not been an issue in the abovementioned consideration concerning the deployment of the Aoba Detachment. Without delay, the 17th Army command once again assigned the Port Moresby offensive to the South Seas Force, and consequently entrusted the unit with undertaking the Ri Operation Study. The commander of the 17th Army summoned the commander of the South Seas Force to Davao in order to communicate his responsibilities directly and to urge him to undertake his duties with resolve.[9]
Commander Horii and staff officer Tanaka of the South Seas Force arrived in Davao on 30 June. Commander Horii’s opinion was sought on the feasibility of the overland offensive based on the research done to that time. As expected, he was unenthusiastic about the overland offensive, stating that it would be extremely difficult with a high risk of failure. His reasons were as follows:[10]
- The South Seas Force will identify the best route from Buna to Kokoda to Port Moresby. From Buna to Kokoda is approximately 100 kilometres as the crow flies, but is in fact around 160 kilometres. Likewise, Kokoda to Port Moresby is 120 kilometres direct but is judged to be around 200 kilometres actual distance. In short, this route requires over 360 kilometres of trudging.
The problem is securing supplies. This would not be an issue if there was a road suitable for motor transport. However, without so much as a pack-horse trail, all supplies would need to be transported by human carriers.
The current number of men on the front line would be approximately 5,000. Given an average daily food requirement of 600 grams per person, this would result in a daily supply requirement for the detachment amounting to 3 tonnes. If each man could carry 25 kilograms of supplies, this would limit a day’s march in the mountains to 20 kilometres.
A round trip march to the front line would take 20 days if the detachment were to advance to the saddle of the Owen Stanley Range approximately 100 kilometres from Buna. Given that supplies for each soldier would be depleted by 12 kilograms after 20 days, the amount he could deliver to the front line would be 13 kilograms.
Securing the daily 3-tonne supply for the detachment would require approximately 230 carriers per day reaching the front line. This amounts in total, given the 20 day round trip, to a requirement for approximately 4,600 carriers. If the front were to advance to Port Moresby, some 360 kilometres distant from Buna, then to supply food alone would require 32,000 carriers.
If one considers munitions and other supplies, the requirement for carriers would be immense. Ultimately, the overland route is probably not possible unless a road for motor transport can be pushed out from Buna.
Orders from the 17th Army
17th Army headquarters issued the following orders on 1 July:
- Oki Group Operational Orders B, No. 8
17th Army orders, 1 July
1. The army will, in cooperation with the navy (in Davao), undertake reconnaissance of the lines of advance for the Mo Offensive.
2. The commander of the South Seas Force will land the force described below in the Buna area and quickly advance to the saddle of the Owen Stanley Range to the south of Kokoda and evaluate the roads for an offensive against Port Moresby.
The main strength of the detachment will submit as soon as possible information concerning the difficulties for an overland attack of Port Moresby.
The 15th Independent Engineer Regiment (less the 1st Company) will be incorporated into the force after its arrival at Rabaul.
Note: The 15th Independent Engineer Regiment plus one infantry battalion will be the basis of the force.
3. The commander of the Aoba Detachment will come under the command of the South Seas Force after the 15th Independent Engineer Regiment arrives in Rabaul.
4. Further details for the operation will be provided by the staff office as instructions.
The commander of the 17th Army shall be in Davao.
Army Commander, Hyakutake Haruyoshi
Distribution method: South Seas Force commander summoned. After oral instruction, printed orders to be distributed.
Distribution: South Seas Force, Aoba Detachment, 1st Landing Group
cc: Imperial Headquarters
- 1. Memoranda between the 17th Army headquarters and the command of the 4th Fleet concerning the Ri Operation Study are per the attached (oral instruction).
2. Required intelligence
Information concerning the evaluation of the condition of roads and the speed of road improvement must be collated and submitted by no later than the beginning of August.
- a. Buna to Kokoda road
b. Road along the Kumusi River
c. Road from Kokoda through to Port Moresby
d. Road along the Mambare River
e. The existence and condition of any other roads across the Owen Stanley Range
- i. Shipping transport units shall carry the maximum number of large and small landing barges and collapsible craft. A suitable number will be left with each unit after disembarkation. The rest will be returned to Rabaul by transport ship.
ii. The transport vessels to be used will be Ryôyô Maru and Ayatosan Maru.
5. It is expected that in the case of an overland offensive against Port Moresby, Imperial Headquarters will make consideration concerning the reorganisation of the detachment, resupply of equipment, and supporting units (engineers (armoured), bridging supply company, pack-horse supply, medical system, disease prevention and water supply unit, land duty unit, etc.).
6. The main strength of the South Seas Force will apply itself as ever to the task of researching strategic advantage in the case of an order to attack Port Moresby by the overland route.
Agreement was reached at Truk on 4 July 1942 between the 17th Army and the 4th Fleet concerning the strategy of the Ri Operation Study. Prior to this, the navy had determined that responsibility for the execution of the Ri Operation Study would lie with the 4th Fleet. This was an express command issued by the commander of the Combined Fleet, as contained in the following instruction on 11 June concerning the study: "Primary responsibility for the Ri Operation Study lies with the commander of the 4th Fleet." Consequently, because the study was solely the responsibility of the 17th Army and the 4th Fleet, it was no more than simply a general cooperative relationship with the 11th Air Fleet (the air unit in the area).
With the Buna area only 20 minutes flying time from the airbase at Port Moresby, there were still concerns for the 17th Army units advancing by sea. The 25th Air Flotilla of the navy, however, made provision for staff officer Miyazaki Atsushi to be despatched as an observer.
Further, the 17th Army considered that there should be continuity between operations to undertake research for the Ri Operation, and any overland offensive strategy which developed from the research itself. Consequently, there was a desire to make reference to the Port Moresby offensive even with the cooperative agreements with the 4th Fleet. At the same time, the navy was reorganising its order of battle for units in the South-East Area of operations. After mid-July, the 8th Fleet, and not the 4th Fleet, was expected to be the formation actually involved in the operation. Consequently, the 4th Fleet could not reach agreement on any offensive strategy outside of its responsibility: that is, beyond the early phase of the Port Moresby campaign. Operational agreements for the Port Moresby offensive were therefore not all-encompassing, and until the first official telegram agreements from the 8th Fleet, consisted of no more than responses between the two staffs.[11]
In accord with these agreements, the commander of the 4th Fleet despatched units for the Ri Operation Study to Rabaul. These units were commanded by Rear Admiral Matsuyama Kôji and comprised the 18th Squadron (Tenryû and Atsuta) and the 29th Destroyer Squadron (Asanagi, Yûzuki, and Uzuki). These units arrived in Rabaul on 9 July and continued preparations for the operation.
Deployment of the Yokoyama Advance Party
The commander of the South Seas Force presently returned to Rabaul and allocated the main strength of the 15th Independent Engineer Regiment, the 1st Battalion of the 144th Infantry Regiment, and the 1st Company, 1st Battalion of the 55th Mountain Artillery Regiment to the advance force. This was to be called the Yokoyama Advance Party and was commanded by Colonel Yokoyama Yosuke of the 15th Independent Engineer Regiment.
The two greatest issues facing the South Seas Force in the despatch of the advance party were supplies and anti-aircraft strategies. There was no other option than to rely on the 25th Air Flotilla for anti-aircraft protection, but preparations and training were required in the case of transports being sunk prior to disembarkation at Buna. To implement a supply policy, changes were made to organisation and equipment. The mountain artillery company had barely one mountain gun and was limited to 200 rounds carried by individual soldiers in backpacks for ease of transport.
The increase in the number of carriers was an unavoidable problem. The navy’s 8th Base Force agreed to release approximately five hundred members of the Formosan Takasago Volunteers and Korean labourers to the South Seas Force. Both groups were attached at the time to the navy.
Approximately two thousand natives were also commandeered. This action had unfavourable repercussions for occupation administration and for later attempts to indoctrinate and pacify the local populace. Operational demands, however, took precedence.[12]
Detailed agreements were made between the South Seas Force and the 18th Squadron and 25th Air Flotilla from the navy’s 8th Base Force on 13 July.[13] Although preparations were almost complete for despatch of the advance party, the main elements of the unit had not yet arrived in Rabaul.
The main strength of the 15th Independent Engineer Regiment and the 47th Field Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion, newly formed for inclusion in the South Seas Force, left Davao on 2 July and eventually arrived in Rabaul on 14 July. The anti-aircraft capacity of the South Seas Force had increased from the original one company at the start of the war to two companies.
The commander of the South Seas Force issued orders ("Horii operations orders B, no. 85") to the Yokoyama Advance Party on 14 July. These orders made clear to the advance party that, in addition to simply investigating the advance route, it should "Carry out partial preparations with a view to the operations of the main strength of the force."[14] The movement of the advance party in compliance with these orders was made clear as follows:
- 1. Occupation of the line of cover
As quickly as possible advance with force to a line to the west of the Owen Stanley Range and to occupy and protect the line at all cost. Take precautions against enemy unit attacks.
2. Reconnaissance of the advance line
Information concerning the evaluation of the condition of the following roads and the speed of road improvement must be collated by no later than the beginning of August. A determination must be made concerning the possibility of an overland offensive by the main strength of the force.
- a. Buna to Kokoda road
b. Road along the Kumusi River
c. Road from Kokoda through to Port Moresby
d. Road along the Mambare River
3. Repair of roads
Repair the roads to the east of the Owen Stanley Range as best as possible to enable them to carry motor transport.
Repair the roads to the west of the Owen Stanley Range as best as possible to enable them to act as a pack-horse supply line.
4. Stockpiling of ordnance
- a. The target for mobilisation of the force to Kokoda should be late August. At least 20 tonnes of staples, 50 tonnes of other foodstuffs, 80 tonnes of stock feed, and 16 tonnes of food for the natives should be stockpiled in the mountains near to that area.
b. As much of this ordnance as possible should be stockpiled, as conditions allow, near the line of cover to the west of the Owen Stanley Range.
However, the decision to conduct an overland offensive, which was a burning issue for Imperial Headquarters at that time, was probably waiting for a judgment by the commander of the engineer regiment on the front line.
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Transition from an advance by sea to the advance by land
Commencement of the advance by land
Imperial Headquarters officially cancelled the FS Operation on 11 July. The orders for the 17th Army to change duties had not yet been discussed. These had been received by telegram by 17th Army headquarters at Davao before 14 July. However, Imperial Headquarters had withheld operational outline instructions for the new responsibilities of the 17th Army, no doubt because they were waiting for the results of the Ri Operation Study before issuing definitive orders.
On 15 July, an Imperial Headquarters army staff officer, Tsuji Masanobu, arrived at 17th Army headquarters in Davao. His despatch was a result of the decision to cancel the FS Operation on 11 July. Staff officer Tsuji and the 17th Army chief of staff, Futami, had both been attached to the Army General Staff 3rd (War Mobilisation) Section, and had been friends for some nine or ten years.
Staff officer Tsuji discovered that there were female typists within the army headquarters and recommended to chief of staff Futami that they be immediately repatriated to Japan, to which he agreed straight away.[15] This was a trivial issue, but unexpectedly for the high command of the 17th Army, Tsuji informed them that day that Imperial Headquarters had already decided to undertake the overland offensive.
Lieutenant Colonel Tsuji delivered them a great order dated 11 July, and after he explained the conditions of the navy in particular in cancelling the FS Operation, he stated the following:
In order to effectively carry out an air war of attrition against eastern New Guinea, it is imperative that Port Moresby be attacked as soon as possible. Even the emperor is particularly concerned about this issue. Therefore, without waiting for the results of the Ri Operation Study, Imperial Headquarters has ordered the 17th Army, by this great order, to attack Port Moresby. It is expected that army and navy central agreements concerning this will be telegraphed to Rabaul and Davao no later than 24 July. The Ri Operation must now be executed without the feasibility study. I would like the 17th Army to proceed with local agreements with the navy and begin the offensive against Port Moresby. I would like this achieved with all haste and with firm resolve.[16]
However, a great order had already been issued. Prior to the issue of the great order, the plan had been to issue operational outlines after the results of the Ri Operation Study were known. It was not improbable that Imperial Headquarters would then not wait for the study results and decide on the overland attack option.
17th Army Headquarters confirmed the intent of Imperial Headquarters through staff officer Tsuji, and immediately decided to begin the overland offensive. Operational outlines were quickly drawn up on 15 July.[17]
However, all of this was an independent decision by Imperial Headquarters staff officer Tsuji. Imperial Headquarters were certainly leaning towards the overland offensive, but they had in fact not changed their position to wait for the results of the Ri Operation Study before making a determination. The first the 17th Army chief of staff knew of this was on 25 July when he received a telegram from Colonel Hattori, the head of the Operations Section in Imperial Headquarters, stating that he was "waiting for the results of the 17th Army study".[18]
Senior staff officer Imoto, at Imperial Headquarters at this time, had the following memory of these events after the war:
- I see this clearly as an independent judgment of Lieutenant Colonel Tsuji. It was, however, recognised as not particularly problematic, though I think some people felt slightly awkward. Personally, I too had some reservations over whether this would be a good thing in the end, but I didn’t have the confidence to argue against it and present an alternative.
- 1. Four pack-horse supply companies and four bridging supply companies will be despatched from Davao in early August. Approximately 40,000 tonnes of supplies previously sent to Davao from other areas will be sent to Rabaul by high-speed transport for inclusion in the 17th Army order of battle.
2. The Aoba Detachment and other units not required for the Port Moresby operations will remain in the order of battle, but I would like to see them temporarily transferred to the command of the 14th Army. I would like the 41st Infantry Regiment used if possible as a reserve force for redeployment elsewhere.
3. The maritime transports that will be able to be used continuously are Ryôyô Maru and Ayatosan Maru.
In addition, the 20,000 tonnes of shipping used for the sea-route campaign will return to Parao in mid-August.
4. It is expected that the navy will cooperate to transport 17th Army units in nine old-style destroyers. The destroyers have a top speed of 26 kilometres per hour and can each transport 2,000 troops.
5. Concerning the provision of an independent engineer regiment (armoured), it is not possible to further strengthen the 15th Independent Engineer Regiment.
- Army staff officer: Concerning the central agreement, I would like the 11th Air Fleet added to the 8th Fleet as necessary navy units in cooperation. Further, I would like the areas of army administrative responsibility made clear.
Staff officer Tsuji: I shall seek this of central command.
Army staff officer: I would like the approximately 35,000 tonnes of shipping near Manila made available for the transport of the army headquarters and provisional supply units, etc.
Staff officer Tsuji: I would like to make it 30,000 tonnes.
Army staff officer: I would like around 5,000 tonnes of shipping to return from Parao in early August to transport the 35th Infantry Brigade.
Staff officer Tsuji: That will be dealt with.
Army staff officer: What has been decided concerning the command, arrival time, and place of the nine destroyers? This is related to the sea-route offensive of Port Moresby and the invasion offensive of Samarai.
Staff officer Tsuji: I shall refer this to central command.
Army staff officer: Are we not required to submit the report of the results of the Ri Operation Study?
Staff officer Tsuji: That is correct. It is not required.
Army Staff Officer: Has the announcement concerning the Moresby operation been regulated by central command?
Staff Officer Tsuji: That is correct. It has been regulated by central command.
Army staff officer: It is perceived that a large portion of the army administration squad will be made to disband. Will this not be a difficulty?
Staff officer Tsuji: It will probably be all right to disband one part of the squad.
Army staff officer: This army campaign has many variable conditions. Consequently, I want it understood that there may be the situation where the progress of the battle does not proceed with all haste.
Staff officer Tsuji: Understood.
- 1st Landing Group Headquarters
6th Independent Engineer Regiment
10th Independent Engineer Regiment
Floating Work Party
39th Sea Duty Company
40th Sea Duty Company
47th Sea Duty Company
106th Land Duty Company
120th Land Duty Company
37th Anchorage Command
42nd Anchorage Command
Shipping Artillery Regiment (part strength)
Shipping Signals Regiment (part strength)
The Army Department of Imperial Headquarters had made provision for approximately 100,000 tonnes of shipping for the execution of the FS Operation. With the cancellation of the operation, 50,000 tonnes was deemed appropriate for use by the 17th Army in its campaigns, with the remainder to be used in reserve as conditions dictated.
Offensive orders from the 17th Army
17th Army headquarters in Davao issued orders on 18 July for the offensive against Port Moresby. The outline of these orders is as follows:[20]
- Army formation
South Seas Force
- Commander: Major General Horii
Missing units
47th Field Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion (less the 3rd Company)
Attached units
15th Independent Engineer Regiment (less one company (two platoons), with Takasago Volunteers)
Army Signals Unit (88th Independent Cable Company, one independent wireless platoon, and one fixed wireless platoon)
24th Field Water Supply and Disease Prevention Unit (part strength)
Shipping transport units
10th Independent Engineer Regiment (one company and one platoon)
40th Sea Duty Company (less two platoons)
105th Sea Duty Company (one platoon)
120th Land Duty Company (one platoon)
37th Anchorage Command
Shipping Signals Regiment (part strength)
- Commander: Major General Kawaguchi
Attached units
15th Independent Engineer Regiment (one platoon)
Two independent wireless platoons
24th Field Water Supply and Disease Prevention Unit
Shipping transport units
6th Independent Engineer Regiment
40th Sea Duty Company (one platoon)
- Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Ryûtô (Editor’s note: Lieutenant Colonel Ryûtô Shigeto was commander of the 42nd Anchorage Command.)
4th Independent Engineer Company
Provisional Road and Bridge Construction Unit
212th Independent Motor Car Company
Provisional motor car unit
Provisional supply and transport unit
88th Independent Wired Company (part strength)
Independent wireless platoon
Military police unit (part strength)
Shipping transport units
40th Sea Duty Company (one platoon)
106th Land Duty Company
120th Land Duty Company (one platoon)
42nd Anchorage Command (part strength)
- Commander: Major General Itô
1st Landing Party Headquarters
10th Independent Engineer Regiment (less one company and one platoon)
Shipping transport units attached to the South Seas Force (transferred along with the completion of the landing of the main strength of the South Seas Force)
Floating Work Party
39th Sea Duty Company
40th Sea Duty Company
120th Land Duty Company (less two platoons)
Shipping Signals Regiment (part strength)
- 2nd Tank Regiment, 4th Company
20th Independent Mountain Gun Battalion
21st Field Heavy Artillery Battalion, 2nd Company
45th Field Anti-aircraft Battalion
47th Field Anti-aircraft Battalion
9th Independent Rapid-fire Gun Company
Army signals unit (part strength)
67th Line-of-communication Hospital
- Yazawa Detachment
Commander: Captain Yazawa
41st Infantry Regiment
Military police (part strength)
Oki Group Orders B, No. 10
18 July, 1500 hrs
17th Army orders
1. The army, in cooperation with the navy, will promptly carry out offensive operations in the key areas of Port Moresby and New Guinea.
2. The South Seas Force will promptly land near Buna, quickly advance along the Kokoda road, and attack the airfields in the Port Moresby area.
The transport and disposition of the 47th Field Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion and elements of the Ryûtô Unit in train with the South Seas Force will be deployed with other units under the command of the force until the commander of the Ryûtô Unit arrives in Buna.
Shipping transport units attached to the force will be under the command of the 1st Landing Group commander until the disembarkation is completed.
3. The 35th Infantry Brigade, stationed as before in Parao, will land elements direct by sea in the South-East Area to prepare to facilitate the operations of the South Seas Force.
Further, elements will prepare for operations in the key areas at Samarai and in the islands to the east.
4. The Ryûtô unit will land in the Buna area and establish a supply base to commence provision of supply to the South Seas Force.
A large stockpile of munitions and supplies will be established near Kokoda. Matériel carried with the force will be disposed by the force commander until the commander of the Ryûtô Unit arrives in Buna.
5. The 47th Field Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion will land at Buna and will be responsible for defence of the air over Buna and for constructing bridges over the Kumusi River.
Navigation and landing of the main strength accompanying the South Seas Force will be deployed by the commander of the force.
6. Army units (except for the 4th Company of the 2nd Tank Regiment and the 2nd Company of the 21st Field Infantry Heavy-gun Regiment) will advance to Rabaul.
The 4th Company of the 2nd Tank Regiment and the 2nd Company of the 21st Field Infantry Heavy-gun Regiment will be deployed in their current position by the commander of the Yazawa Unit.
7. The Army Signals Unit will promptly establish a base at Rabaul. They will be responsible for communications between the South Seas Force and Imperial Headquarters, and also between units attached to the army and navy.
8. The 1st Landing Group will allocate vessels and discharge the transportation of matériel and army units.
Their main strength will advance to Rabaul at the appropriate time.
9. The Yazawa Unit will be stationed as previous in Davao and will undertake preparations for the army.
The commander of the Yazawa Unit will deploy the 4th Company of the 2nd Tank Regiment, and the 2nd Company of the 21st Field Infantry Heavy-gun Regiment at Davao, along with their associated personnel, horses, and vehicles.
10. The Aoba Detachment will be stationed as previously in Davao and will undertake preparations for the army.
11. The commander of the previous army disposition must assign various units according to the new army formation.
The new command transfers will take effect at noon on 20 July, given no extraordinary circumstances.
However, for essential transport elements, units to be transferred will be deployed after departure from the harbour by the previous disposition officer.
12. The chief of staff will issue detailed instructions.
13. I will depart Davao on 22 July and will thereafter be stationed in Rabaul.
Army commander
Hyakutake Haruyoshi
The mobilisation of the overland offensive was a credit to the positive and prompt leadership of staff officer Tsuji. On 19 July, staff officer Tsuji transmitted the following report to Imperial Headquarters: "The Oki Unit has been issued army orders for the execution (not research) of the Ri Operation according to the central conception of the operation."
The Army Department of Imperial Headquarters added to the order of battle of the 17th Army the 52nd and 54th Independent Supply and Transport Companies from the 15th Army, and the 1st Bridging Supply Company of the 9th Division from the 23rd Army. This was made clear in contact to Tsuji from Imperial Headquarters on 20 July. It was indicated that these transfers were "for the purpose of the Ri Operation Study". On the same day, the Army Department ordered the Aoba Detachment, one company of the 2nd Tank Regiment, and one company of the 21st Field Heavy Artillery Battalion to the order of battle of the 14th Army. This was, however, with the condition that these units were to be prepared for redeployment to other areas as the conditions dictated from the middle of September.
The 17th Army made various necessary notifications to the 4th Fleet concerning previously established arrangements. The navy considered these arrangements to be part of the Ri Operation Study, as they replied, "In considering at this time the Ri Operation Study …". The army imagined that the navy had not yet received a great order for the Port Moresby offensive.
The commander and staff of the 17th Army left Parao on 22 July and arrived in Rabaul by way of Truk. Staff officer Tsuji accompanied them.
Orders from the South Seas Force
Previously, the transport of the Yokoyama Advance Party to conduct the Ri Operation Study was divided into two echelons. The first comprised the main strength of the unit and had completed its preparations by 19 July. It had planned to depart Rabaul harbour at 8 pm the following evening. Immediately prior to the departure, the aforementioned army order for the overland offensive was received. By this, the commander of the South Seas Force determined to "Prepare for an offensive on Moresby and nearby airstrips over the Buna to Kokoda road after landing the force in the Buna area."
- Mobilise according to Horii Operations Orders B, No. 85 (Editor’s note: previously issued). Further, the advance party commander will charge Lieutenant Sakigawa (commander of the supply and transport company) to form a supply company to be led by 2nd Lieutenant (Editor’s note: original text blank) formed primarily around modified and captured motor vehicles.
Force commander: Lieutenant General Horii Tomitarô
Staff officer: Lieutenant Colonel Tanaka Toyonari
Staff officer: Lieutenant Colonel Tomita Yoshinobu
Staff officer: Major Toyofuku Tetsuo
144th Infantry Regiment commander: Colonel Kusunose Masao
144th Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion commander: Lieutenant Colonel Tsukamoto Hatsuo
144th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion commander: Major Horie Tadashi
144th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion commander: Lieutenant Colonel Kuwada Genjiirô
55th Mountain Artillery Battalion commander: Lieutenant Colonel Hozumi Shizuo
Preparedness of the navy
At that time, the 4th Fleet had planned for units under the command of the 5th Yokosuka Naval Landing Party to land in the Buna area at the same time as the landing of the Yokoyama Advance Party. This was to establish a landing outpost and construct an airbase. Even local navy units, in line with the army, considered these to be more than simply reconnaissance operations, but were measures to establish advance air and ground bases in preparation for an assault on Port Moresby. This way of thinking did not indicate a "determination for an overland route" by the army, but rather recognised the need for advance airbases in the Buna area even if the overland route was considered too difficult and the sea route was adopted after all.
The 4th Fleet, in cooperation with the 17th Army, provided transport and protection for the Yokoyama Advance Party, and mobilised the following units for the invasion in the Buna area:
| Formation | Command | Strength | Responsibility |
| Main force | 18th Squadron commander (Rear Admiral Matsuyama Kôji) |  | 18th Squadron (Tenryû, Tatsuta)Maintain supply line for entire operation |
| 1st Security Detachment | | Tsugaru commander | Tsugaru, No. 32 Submarine ChaserEscort and protect transport convoy |
| 2nd Security Detachment | | Asanagi commander | Asanagi, Yûzuki, UzukiSea-route guidance |
| Sea Mobilisation Unit | | Air unit commander | Three observation planes from Kiyokawa MaruAnti-submarine, sea-route guidance, cooperation with landing operation |
| Landing Unit | | Sasebo Special Naval Landing Party commander | One company Sasebo SNLP (rapid-fire and anti-artillery guns), 15th Establishment Unit Signals Base UnitEstablishment of airfields in area of occupation, secure landing points, repair of roads and bridges |
| Transport Unit | | | Kinryû Maru, Hakozaki Maru, Kôtoku MaruTransport |
The 25th Air Flotilla had, from the beginning, placed pressure on Allied airbases in eastern New Guinea and to the north of Australia, and had provided air support and reconnaissance for the offensive units.
Landing of the advance party
The invasion force, led by Rear Admiral Matsuyama, left Rabaul as planned at 8 pm on 20 July. It included the main strength of the Yokoyama Advance Party (on board the high-speed Ryôyô Maru and Ayatosan Maru), as well as the naval landing units. The convoy proceeded south-west along the sea lane to the south of New Britain without directly encountering enemy aircraft or submarines. The naval units were successfully debarked 5 kilometres north-west of Buna (Giruwa) at 5.30 pm on 21 July, and the Yokoyama Advance Party at 7 pm in Gona.
The landing was effected with relatively little enemy resistance and continued into the morning of 22 July. The Yokoyama Advance Party had planned to land at Basabua but had mistakenly landed at Gona to the west of the planned position. There were numerous reefs directly off the coast at Buna that did not allow landing craft to approach the shore.
The 25th Air Flotilla conducted special attacks on the airbases around Port Moresby on 18 and 20 July with 27 land-based attack planes, and with 15 and 13 Zero fighters respectively. On 21 and 22 July, they undertook aerial support for the transport convoy. Eighteen Zero fighters were unable to protect the anchorage early in the morning of 22 July owing to bad weather, but did so from 10.45 am to 4.15 pm.[21]
From 6 am that day, approximately one hundred planes attacked the anchorage in six or seven waves. Ayatosan Maru was hit at 7.10 am, resulting in a fire. It was subsequently disabled near the anchorage. The destroyer Uzuki received slight damage from a near miss in aiding Ayatosan Maru and was forced to return to base at Rabaul.
The naval landing party occupied Buna at 7 am on 22 July and began constructing a base. The forward sections of the Yokoyama Advance Party (one infantry company with motor vehicles) moved quickly towards Kokoda as soon as it landed. The main strength of the party proceeded to Buna during the morning of 22 July. It became clear after the landing that there had been a platoon of Australian observer troops at Buna and a smaller party at Gona, but they had withdrawn prior to the Japanese landing.
The 18th Squadron and Uzuki returned to Rabaul along the south of New Britain on 23 July, and the remaining units returned along the north of New Britain by 24 July. Preparations for the second transport proceeded.
The roads around the coast were in relatively good condition. The 40 kilometres of road from Buna and Gona inland to Soputa was passable by motor vehicle without repairs. In other places, movement through the jungle and occasional grassland was difficult for units, with many rivers and steep gullies.[22]
The forward party proceeded quickly from Giruwa, Soputa, and Sonbo along the Kokoda road. At Awala on 23 July, the unit defeated approximately thirty native troops and then one hundred Australian troops. The unit then advanced to the high ground at Oivi approximately 16 kilometres to the east of Kokoda, where they were joined by the main strength of the advance party on 26 July.
Five or six waves of aerial attacks during successive days forced the main strength of the advance party to move at night. They attacked a company of Australian defenders at Kokoda during the night of 28 July, and by the following morning had occupied Kokoda and the adjacent airstrip. The battle took the lives of a company commander and twenty other troops. Australian prisoners of war captured at Kokoda set out the situation of the Australian forces at that time.[23]
Prior to the landing of the Japanese forces, the Australians had only despatched one company to Kokoda and sent observers to Buna and Gona. Upon the Japanese landing, a battalion of Australians in Port Moresby was quickly deployed to Kokoda. This was the 39th Australian Battalion under the command of Colonel Owen. It comprised four companies, A, B, C, and D, with C Company airlifted to Kokoda. The battalion commander, who was in Kokoda, ordered A Company to proceed to Awala to engage the Japanese. Colonel Owen, however, determined that holding Kokoda against a superior Japanese force would be difficult. He consequently withdrew the main strength of the battalion to Deniki with a plan to hold the Japanese in the Owen Stanley Range, leaving one company in Kokoda.
There were approximately five to six hundred native troops led by Australian officers in the area along the banks of the Mambare River. In addition, there were said to be approximately twenty thousand American, Australian, and Indian troops under the command of General Morris in the Port Moresby area, giving a total of around six infantry battalions. The Allied army had established a strong base in the Port Moresby region during the previous six months.
The Yokoyama Advance Party was able to repair roads, making motor transport possible for 60 kilometres from the coast to Sonbo. The road west of Sonbo, however, was suitable only for pack horse, and west of Papaki was only a walking track. The original plan called for advancing and stockpiling munitions and supplies at Kokoda. This stockpile, however, had to be brought back to Sonbo. Each soldier of the advance party was provided with 10.8 litres of rice, or fifteen days’ supplies, to carry from Soputa towards Kokoda.
The 17th Army’s judgment concerning an advance by land
The 17th Army command train left Davao on 22 July and arrived in Rabaul on 24 July to mixed news of the success of the landing of the Yokoyama Advance Party and the abandonment of Ayatosan Maru. The command of the newl formed 8th Fleet also arrived in Truk on 25 July with plans to proceed immediately to Rabaul.
17th Army headquarters, as previously advised by staff officer Tsuji, were expecting imminent notification of the army and navy central agreement concerning the Port Moresby offensive and subjugation operations in eastern New Guinea. However, as previously mentioned, the head of the army Operations Section of Imperial Headquarters on 25 July requested notice of the results of the Ri Operation Study. This was an extremely unforeseen telegram for the 17th Army.
A decision had already been made for the army concerning the overland offensive. In addition, it was determined that after the Buna landing of the Yokoyama Advance Party, the main strength of the South Seas Force would push on the front line using the principle of meeting engagements. Regardless of whether or not the required central agreement had arrived, the landing occurred precisely when it was decided that the main force of the South Seas Force would advance. Both the 4th Fleet and the 8th Fleet were in agreement on this point. Subsequently, on 27 July, transportation switched from the remainder of the Yokoyama Advance Party and the navy’s base force to the transport of the first echelon of the South Seas Force main strength. The 17th Army conveyed to Imperial Headquarters by telegram the events to date along with an appraisal that the overland Port Moresby offensive was, by and large, possible.[24]
Army and navy central agreement
At this point, the army and navy sections of Imperial Headquarters agreed in principle on the execution of an overland offensive to Port Moresby and issued the following army and navy central agreement ("Great army instruction no. 1,318") on 28 July to the army and navy commanders in the field:
- Concerning operations in eastern New Guinea
Army and Navy Central Agreement
1. Operational objective
- To invade and secure the key areas of Port Moresby, to annihilate the enemy from eastern New Guinea, and in combination to use the Solomon Islands, to bring the Coral Sea under control.
- With the cooperation of the army and the navy, invade Port Moresby by the overland route, eastern New Guinea, and other key areas, and to occupy and secure each of these areas.
Army
- Command: 17th Army commander
Strength: 17th Army main strength (based on approximately 6 battalions)
- Command: 8th Fleet commander, 11th Air Fleet commander
Units: force based on the 8th Fleet and the 25th Air Flotilla
- i. Using the results of the research into the overland route to invade Port Moresby, the army will promptly land its main force in the Buna area, and then proceed along the Kokoda road to attack the cluster of airfields around Port Moresby.
ii. In accordance with the progress of the above-mentioned overland offensive, a part-strength of army units will land at an appropriate time in the vicinity of Port Moresby and assist the overland attack.
iii. In addition to destroying enemy air capabilities in the Port Moresby area, the navy will control enemy naval vessels in the northern section of the Coral Sea, escort the sea-route forces, and thereby support the land offensive.
iv. During or after the Port Moresby offensive operations, occupy and subjugate appropriate key locations in eastern New Guinea and elsewhere.
During these operations, offensives against key islands and coastal areas will be primarily conducted by naval landing party troops and other army troops.
- The army and navy will cooperate.
However, in the case where army units and naval landing party troops are in operation at the same place at the same time, then the highest rank commander responsible for the landing operations will lead the operation.
- i. As a general principle, and in the absence of extenuating factors, the navy will have responsibility for defence of the sea and air over occupied territories, and the army over the land. Direct defence of key areas will be divided as below, but will meet the demands of the operation, and shall be conducted in close mutual cooperation.
Port Moresby area and the region of the supply road: mainly the army
Other areas: mainly the navy
ii. The army will protect the key islands of the Solomon Islands, and the navy will provide assistance in accordance with requirements.
- The navy will assist the army in transporting supplies and in evacuating casualties.
- At an appropriate time prior to the operation, the commanders of the 17th Army, the 8th Fleet, and the 11 Air Fleet will enter into an agreement at Rabaul.
- This will be conducted according to separate orders issued from Imperial Headquarters.
- Central Standard Time will be used.
- Eastern New Guinea operation: "To Operation"
Aforementioned offensive operation against Port Moresby: "Re Operation"
As previously mentioned, the 17th Army and 4th Fleet (8th Fleet) had changed their plan and decided to transport the main strength of the South Seas Force in the second transport convoy to Buna. However, because the central agreement had not been received, it was decided to revert to the original plan and transport the remainder of the Yokoyama Advance Party and naval base force, as well as military matériel.
Ryôyô Maru and Kôtoku Maru left Rabaul on 27 July under the protection of Tatsuta, Yûzuki, and No. 32 Submarine Chaser. Disembarkation began at Basabua on the evening of 29 July under intense bombardment from Allied planes.
The 25th Air Flotilla had planned to patrol the sky over Buna daily since the landing of the first transport convoy. However, air mobilisation was hampered owing to bad weather, with the exception of patrols by 21 planes on 25 July, and 18 planes the following day.
Direct aerial protection of the convoy on 29 July was entrusted to 27 planes from the navy’s Tainan Air Corps. Approximately ten SBD-3s and four P-39s descended from the clouds at 2.45 pm and attacked the convoy. Kôtoku Maru was hit and took on water before any equipment could be offloaded, though most personnel were rescued. Ryôyô Maru was safe during the day on 29 July, but was attacked at night and was forced to leave the harbour early in the morning of 30 July to return to Rabaul.
The Tainan Air Corps provided air cover again on 30 July with a total of 18 planes. At 7.45 am, five Zero fighters shot down a lone B-17 attempting to attack Ryôyô Maru. Kôtoku Maru, under the protection of Tatsuta and Yûzuki, turned around and headed back for Buna at 1.30 that afternoon, but was engaged by Allied aircraft at around 3.15 pm. It came under attack by eight B-17s at 4.40 pm and was disabled. Tatsuta and Yûzuki rescued survivors from the abandoned vessel and returned to Rabaul on 31 July.
Nankai Maru, under the protection of Tsugaru and No. 28 Submarine Chaser, was especially loaded with part of the 15th Base Establishment Unit and supplies. It left Rabaul on 31 July and headed south, but was attacked by a B-17 en route. As a result, it was forced to abandon its landing and returned to Rabaul on 1 August.
The second transport convoy was completed, but with less than anticipated results owing to the heavy attacks from Allied aircraft.
Imperial Headquarters staff officer Tsuji left for Buna aboard a destroyer on 25 July. He arrived in Rabaul the day after, along with the 17th Army staff. His purpose was to encourage the commander of the Yokoyama Advance Party, who he had known from the Malaya campaign, and to carry out geographical observations on the roads from Buna to Kokoda.
Staff officer Futami (of the 17th Army) described the following incident from that time in his memoirs:
- The day after Tsuji’s heavy-handed departure from us, I heard from the army commander over a meal that Tsuji had been the cause of several difficulties, and he expressed the opinion that it would perhaps be better for the army if Tsuji returned. I … felt that if he was made to return at this time, then his influence on future events would perhaps be quite significant. "Please give this consideration and then I shall carry out your wishes." The commander replied, "I see: leave it with me."
Army and navy local agreement
Local agreements between the commanders of the 17th Army, the 8th Fleet, and the 11th Air Fleet were based in the central agreements and went into effect on 28 July.
The fresh command of the 8th Fleet was extremely positive about the operation. First, the 8th Fleet proposed that the navy carry out offensives against Samarai and the coast of Milne Bay near Rabi.[25] As will be discussed below, airfields had previously been constructed by the Allies near Rabi, and by mid-July it acted as a base for an air strength built around P-40s, and had a garrison of approximately five thousand American and Australian troops. However, the Japanese army did not discover the airstrip to the west of Rabi until 3 August. The offensive against Rabi that was discussed in relation to the agreement aimed to secure a midway base for the sea-route operations against Port Moresby via the Coral Sea, and was to be conducted in concert with an invasion and base construction at Samarai. At that time, the presence of the 5,000-strong garrison was completely unknown.
The 17th Army ordered the 35th Infantry Brigade to prepare for operations in the Samarai area, and felt that the Rabi and Samarai operations were the responsibility of the army. Further, the army agreed with navy proposals that the main objective was the invasion of Port Moresby.[26]
Later, however, problems arose between the army and navy concerning the distribution of responsibilities for the proposed sea-route offensive against Port Moresby. The 17th Army considered their responsibilities and proposed the 35th Infantry Brigade for the task. At that time, the 8th Fleet had proposed the following:
- Proposal no. 1: The army will land with motorised barges (50 vessels), and the navy conduct transport by destroyers.
Proposal no. 2: The navy alone will conduct transport by destroyers if the army does not wish to deploy barges.
- The success rate of transport by motorised barges is judged to be low owing to the conditions of air superiority held by the Allies. Consequently, we do not accept these proposals. There are advantages and disadvantages in despatching army troops or naval landing party troops. However, when considering the fighting strength after the landing, we favour army troops.
Consensus on the agreement was not reached that day. On 28 July, the following day, the navy submitted a further proposal, as follows: "Elements of the army will board navy vessels and be mobilised by sea. In concert with the operations of the South Seas Force, these units will be landed in the vicinity of Port Moresby, thus facilitating the operation."
The 17th Army agreed with this proposal. The army’s wish for these seaborne units to be conveyed by army transport vessels was opposed by the navy because it was felt the speed of these transports and Allied air strength would make it virtually impossible. Consequently, unavoidable limits were placed on the strength of units and the amount of supplies that could be carried.
On the evening of 30 July, the 8th Fleet again discussed landing the army units with the naval landing party, and received consent from the army. The 8th Fleet planned to place the 7th Special Base Force, which was intended for disposition in the Fiji and Solomon Islands area, primarily in the Moresby area.
The main points of the agreement contained in the memorandum drafted on 31 July were as follows:
- Agreement related to the subjugation of Port Moresby and eastern New Guinea
Commander 17th Army: Hyakutake Haruyoshi
Commander 11th Air Fleet: Tsukahara Nishizô
Commander 8th Fleet: Mikawa Gun’ichi
1. Policy
- The army and navy, working in cooperation, will speedily invade and secure the key areas of Port Moresby and eastern New Guinea
- i. The army will use the South Seas Force to advance along the Buna to Kokoda Road and quickly attack and secure Port Moresby and the surrounding airfields.
ii. Elements of the army units and naval landing party troops will board navy vessels and be mobilised by sea. In concert with the operations of the South Seas Force, these units will be landed in the vicinity of Port Moresby, thus facilitating the operation. The time of the landing at Port Moresby shall be determined immediately after the South Seas Force advances to the pass of the Owen Stanley Range.
iii. The navy will as soon as possible occupy Samarai and construct a naval base, while at the same time transferring part of its strength from Lae and Salamaua to the Wau area to facilitate the Moresby offensive.
Editor’s note: There is no reference here to the Rabi operation.
iv. The navy, using considerable strength, will conduct operations to blockade Allied reinforcements to, and retreat from, Port Moresby.
- i. Army
17th Army, Lieutenant General Hyakutake
South Seas Force, Major General Horii
35th Infantry Brigade, Major General Kawaguchi
41st Infantry Regiment, Colonel Yazawa
ii. Navy
Outer South Seas Fleet, Vice Admiral Mikawa (8th Fleet commander)
Airbase force (part strength), Vice Admiral Tsukahara (11th Air Fleet commander)
5th Air Attack Force, Rear Admiral Yamada (25th Air Flotilla commander)
- South Seas Force (landing of the Advance Party on 21 July)
i. Third convoy (main strength)
Ryôyô Maru, Meiyô Maru, plus Nankai Maru (navy establishment unit)
Landing on day x
ii. Fourth convoy (remainder units)
Ryôyô Maru, Yasukawa Maru, Kazuura Maru, Nankai Maru, plus Meiyô Maru (navy establishment unit)
Landing on day x+8
iii. Fifth convoy (remainder units)
Sugie Maru, Myôkô Maru (provisional supply unit and bridging supply company, etc.)
Landing day x+10
iv. Sixth convoy (4th Independent Supply Company)
Late August
v. Landing site will be to the north of Buna, near the mouth of Giruwa River
vi. Each convoy will arrive at berth in the evening and depart the following dawn
vii. Day x is determined to be 7 August
The sea-route units (approximately one battalion from the 35th Infantry Brigade) will board several destroyers and seven patrol boats and land to the east of Port Moresby. The departure date will coincide with the advance of the South Seas Force past the Owen Stanley Range.
- i. The navy will place great emphasis on controlling the air over harbours where transport units are berthed.
ii. The navy will endeavour to quickly establish an airbase at Buna and gain air supremacy over the harbour.
The army will cooperate to provide a land guard for this location.
iii. The navy will cooperate to provide leadership liaison between units of the South Seas Force after the main force has landed. For this purpose, if the army has the opportunity to secure the airfield near Kokoda, then the navy will establish an advance airfield.
The second notable feature concerns special provisions for air operations, which included positive planning for not only Buna but for Kokoda. As was made clear earlier, air superiority over the Buna area was firmly in the hands of the Allies, so advancing at least a fighter unit to Buna was an unavoidable demand.
Morale for the Port Moresby offensive among the 17th Army staff, which had arrived in Rabaul on 24 July, was very high. As mentioned, the 17th Army had notified Imperial Headquarters on 25 July their determination that "an offensive against Moresby primarily by the overland route is possible". On 26 July, they telegraphed: "The army has confidence in the success of the overland operation. We beg you not to be concerned."[29]
Operational leadership by the 17th Army
However, the commander of the South Seas Force and staff officers were rather pessimistic about the actual execution of the operation against Port Moresby. Commander Horii of the South Seas Force visited the chief of staff of the 17th Army after the staff office had arrived in Rabaul on 24 July. He stated that it would be impossible to advance beyond Kokoda if he wasn’t given command of all the motor units, not just those attached to the Ryûtô Unit (which was designated on 18 July as the logistics support unit). Further, South Seas Force chief of staff Tanaka stressed that further advance was impossible if 120 tonnes of supplies were not stockpiled at Kokoda. 17th Army staff officer Futami considered these opinions weak-willed and would not act to prevent the deficiencies.[30]
On the other hand, Colonel Yokoyama, commander of the advance party, reported optimistically on 27 July that it would be possible to repair the road between Sonbo and Kokoda, so that if each soldier carried a total of 12 days’ supply – four days to Kokoda and eight days to Port Moresby – then an attack on Port Moresby would be possible at one stretch. The staff of the 17th Army was overjoyed with this report. The judgment that it would take only 12 days to break through from Buna to Port Moresby was based on the knowledge that locals required 12 days to walk this distance.
Commander Horii visited the chief of staff again on 1 August. He stated that previous prisoner-of-war interrogations had revealed that there were approximately twenty thousand Allied troops stationed at Port Moresby. The chief of staff enquired whether the commander had the confidence to defeat an enemy of 20,000. Horii replied that confidence was not the issue, as they had been ordered to mobilise. Rather, he inquired if the strength of the units at the front line would be sufficient, and expressed his disinclination by pointing out the losses they would suffer in the Kumusi River between Buna and Kokoda.[31]
The army chief of staff did not believe that there were 20,000 enemy troops at Port Moresby, and deeply felt that the position of the South Seas Force commander was "grossly overestimating the actual strength of the enemy". However, he cannot be forgiven for completely disregarding the position of the commander. The 17th Army adopted two main measures for the operation.
The first was to summon to Rabaul the 41st Infantry Regiment to strengthen the South Seas Force. The army had initially sent for part of the 35th Infantry Brigade for the sea-route invasion of Moresby when the main strength of army units advanced from Davao. This unit was, however, exchanged for the 41st Infantry Regiment. This measure resulted from orders issued on 1 August. The 41st Infantry Regiment was despatched to Buna and assigned to supply duties, but directly participated in the battle as the necessity arose.
The second measure concerned the point that the conception of the operation, which involved landing the main strength of the South Seas Force at Buna after substantial military supplies had been stockpiled, had changed. Up to that time, the plan was to land the South Seas Force at Buna, provide limited supplies to be carried by each soldier, and make a headlong charge over the mountains to Port Moresby. However, the first and second convoys to Buna had both lost a vessel, and Ryôyô Maru in the second convoy was forced to return to Rabaul suffering engine damage. The planned stockpile was markedly delayed. On the other hand, the Yokoyama Advance Party had continued to make preparations for an airbase at Buna, expecting a favourable development in the local air situation, but did not recognise at the beginning the dangers of the constant air attacks from Allied planes.
At precisely this time, the Army Department of Imperial Headquarters telegraphed the opinion that the timing of the landing of the main strength of the South Seas Force must be determined in the light of the information that the navy planned to strengthen its air presence in the South Pacific, and that the navy air policy was in transition. Consequently, the 17th Army temporarily abandoned its plan to storm through to Port Moresby with no consideration of logistics and supply.
On 3 August, the advance of the main force of the South Seas Force by the third convoy was postponed. In its place, it was decided to accelerate the transport of the navy’s establishment units in order to speed up preparations for construction of an airfield at Buna. If successful, completion of the airstrip was planned for 12 August. The proposal was to strengthen transport of the main force by providing protection from air units advanced to the Buna airstrip.
The 17th Army sent the following telegram to Imperial Headquarters on 6 August concerning their plans up to that time:
- 1. In order to supply by land and reinforce the fighting strength of the South Seas Force, the 41st Infantry Regiment has been summoned. It left Davao on 5 August and is planned to arrive in Rabaul on 15 August.
2. The army intends at all costs to land the main strength of the South Seas Force in the Buna area around 16 August. Consequently, the navy is urged to strive to complete the airfield at Buna.
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Formation of the 8th Fleet and disposition of the units
Plan to change the formation of the fleet in the Pacific area</a>]
The command structure in the Pacific, in the case that operations proceeded according to policies for stage two operations established by the Navy Department of Imperial Headquarters, became an important issue in mid-April 1942. This involved investigation into the proposal to reorganise the fleet in the Pacific after the completion of phase three of stage two (FS Operation) of the Combined Fleet’s operations.
Navy operations to this point in the Central Pacific Area (a sector of command in the South Seas) and the South-East Area (South Pacific) were, of course, conducted with the overall support of the main strength of the Combined Fleet. Air operations were the responsibility of the 11th Air Fleet, with the 4th Fleet responsible for naval surface operations. The surface operations aimed to defend key areas, to patrol and protect shipping, and to seek and destroy enemy ships. The 4th Fleet was therefore an operational fleet, as well as possessing garrison functions owing to the requirements of military administration in occupied territories.
The invasion of key areas in the Fiji and Samoa areas, to be conducted after the Midway Operation, was naturally to be carried out by the main strength of the Combined Fleet. There were, however, several problems to be overcome to undertake grand strategies in the Eastern Pacific Area after the completion of the operations with the military formations described above.
First, it was difficult to unify command over the relatively wide area of responsibility of the 4th Fleet. It would be extremely difficult for one command to coordinate operations to defend key areas, protect shipping, and administer occupied territories, as well as more traditional naval surface operations.
Secondly, it was essential to have a unified command to effectively integrate surface and air operations. Thirdly, a newly established fleet command was desired to allow intimate and direct contact with the recently formed command of the 17th Army.
Subsequent operations in the Central Pacific were to be carried out mainly as air operations. The Navy Department of Imperial Headquarters unified command of air and surface units and considered it vital that an exclusively operational standing be adopted, not one of defence and administration of occupied territories.
As the result of numerous investigations, it was decided to enact a navy structure to reflect this purpose. The proposal to reorganise the fleet in the Pacific area after the completion of phase three of stage two, set for around 18 May, was as follows:
| Formation | | Vessels and units | Specially installed units |
| Combined Fleet | | | |
| 4th Fleet | 4th Base Force | | (Truk and Parao areas) |
| 5th Special Base Force | | (Saipan and Guam areas) |
| 6th Base Force | | (Marshall Islands and Wake Islands areas) |
| 2nd Surface Escort Fleet | Yûbari 29th Destroyer Squadron 30th Destroyer Squadron | Noshiro Maru Chôun Maru |
| Attached units | | 4th Harbour Duty Unit 4th Survey Unit Kunikawa Maru |
| 8th Fleet | 18th Squadron | Natori, Tenryû, Tatsuta | |
| 7th Submarine Squadron | Jingei 21st Submarine Group 22nd Submarine Group 23rd Submarine Group | |
| 7th Special Base Force | | (New Caledonia, Fiji, and Samoa areas) |
| 8th Base Force | | (New Guinea and Solomon Islands areas) |
| Attached units | | 10th Establishment Unit 11th Establishment Unit 14th Establishment Unit Kiyokawa Maru |
| 11th Air Fleet | 22nd Air Flotilla | | |
| 24th Air Flotilla | | |
| 25th Air Flotilla | | |
| 26th Air Flotilla | | |
| 2nd Special Base Force | | (Midway area) |
| Attached units | 34th Destroyer Squadron | Lyon Maru Keiyô Maru Nagoya Maru 11th Establishment Unit 12th Establishment Unit |
- Notes
1. Under this formation, the commander of the 11th Air Fleet is considered commander of the South Seas Fleet. Surface forces (cruiser squadrons, torpedo squadrons, and aircraft carrier groups) will be joined to the South Seas Fleet and have the responsibility of capturing and destroying the enemy carrier task force.
2. Staff officers required to combine the command of the surface fleet and the South Seas Fleet will be despatched to the command of the 11th Air Fleet.
Change of formation after the naval battle at Midway</a>]
As a result of the battle of Midway on 5 June and the subsequent cancellation of the FS Operation, the above-mentioned planning and research also had to be started afresh. It was clear that it was necessary to reorganise the fleet, which had to that time been devoted to preparations in the South Pacific Area for an invasion of Port Moresby. However, the reorganisation had to be managed with regard to the reorganisation of the Combined Fleet that was happening at that time.
Investigations into these reconstructions were immediately started by Imperial Headquarters and the Combined Fleet. The first issue to be faced followed on from the successive realisation of the progress of naval battles and the overall war situation. The fundamental problem was how the reconstruction should be undertaken to ensure long-term Japanese naval strength to bring the war to a successful end.
The second problem concerned how to reconstruct the Japanese mobile carrier fleet, which for the moment had suffered great damage. Four carriers from the 1st and 2nd Air Flotillas, Akagi, Kaga, Hiryû, and Sôryû, were lost at Midway. There remained, however: Zuihô from the 3rd Air Flotilla (Shôhô had been sunk in the battle of the Coral Sea); Zuikaku and Shôkaku from the 5th Air Flotilla; and Jun’yô and Ryûjô from the 4th Air Flotilla. Repairs on Shôkaku, which was damaged in the Coral Sea battle, were expected to be completed by mid-July. In addition, remodelling of Hiyô, a smaller aircraft carrier, was due to be completed by the end of July.
Until that time, the Japanese mobile carrier fleet had on each occasion been formed from an appropriate strength of battleships, cruisers, and submarines in accordance with the situation. This state of affairs did not arise out of the standing formation, but from the available naval strength. Formalising this arrangement to create a standing fleet would be advantageous from the point of view of training, mobilisation, and command.
Further investigations resulted in reformation of the fleet into a standing mobile fleet. The 1st Air Fleet was stood down and the 5th and 4th Air Flotillas reorganised as the 1st and 2nd Air Flotillas, respectively. With these units as a core, the formations indicated below were reorganised as the newly formed 3rd Fleet:
- 1st Air Flotilla: Zuikaku, Shôkaku, Zuihô
2nd Air Flotilla: Jun’yô, Ryûjô, Hiyô
11th Squadron: Hiei, Kirishima
7th Squadron: Kumano, Suzuya, Mogami
8th Squadron: Tone, Chikuma
10th Squadron: Nagara, 4th, 16th, and 17th Destroyer Squadrons
Hôshô, Yûnagi, and the 1st Airbase Force (in Kyushu) were also attached to the newly formed 3rd Fleet to be used to train aircrews through a combination of actual battle experience and training exercises. The 3rd Fleet was to be gradually strengthened to the point that the 50th Air Flotilla was expected to be formed by 15 January 1943.
The formation of the 8th Fleet was also ordered to stand alongside the newly assembled 3rd Fleet. The concept of the fleet reorganisation in the Pacific Area, research for which had proceeded as described above, was adapted to incorporate successive essential operations in eastern New Guinea and the Solomon Islands despite the cancellation of the FS Operation. The formation of the 8th Fleet, orders for which were issued on 14 July, was as follows:
| Formation and command | Units | Special fleet units | Base for special fleet units |
| Combined Fleet 8th Fleet | | | |
| Chôkai | | |
| 18th Squadron | Tenryû Atsuta | | |
| 7th Submarine Squadron | Jingei 13th Submarine Group 21st Submarine Group | | |
| 7th Base Force | 23rd Submarine Chaser Squadron 32nd Submarine Chaser Squadron | 85th Signals Unit 85th Submarine Base Force | |
| 8th Base Force | No. 20 Minesweeper No. 21 Minesweeper 21st Submarine Chaser Squadron 31st Submarine Chaser Squadron | 5th Gunboat Squadron 56th Submarine Chaser Squadron 81st Garrison 82nd Garrison 84th Garrison 8th Submarine Base Force 8th Signals Unit | |
| Attached units | Tsugaru 30th Destroyer Squadron (Muzuki, Yayoi, Mochizuki, Uzuki) | Kure 3rd Special Naval Landing Party 12th Establishment Unit | Kure |
| | Kiyokawa Maru 2nd Air Corps 10th Establishment Unit 11th Establishment Unit 15th Establishment Unit | Yokosuka |
| | 13th Establishment Unit 14th Establishment Unit Sasebo 5th Special Naval Landing Party | Sasebo |
The 7th Base Force had been newly formed during this reorganisation. Further, the 2nd Air Corps of the attached units was comprised of 16 each of fighters and bombers. This unit was originally intended for the FS Operation. Its orders to form were issued on 1 June, based on the idea that the unit would seize the opportunity to advance to the region after the completion of the invasion of New Caledonia.
The attached units were formed with five establishment units. This provided for an unparalleled capacity in the South Pacific to swiftly construct airbases. In addition, orders were issued between 1 May and 15 June to form other new units. It was planned that the 11th and 12th Establishment Units were to be despatched to Midway, and the 13th and 14th Establishment Units to the area of the FS Operation.
The commander and chief of staff of the 8th Fleet were Vice Admiral Mikawa Gun’ichi and Rear Admiral Ônishi Shinzô. Most of the remaining staff officers were drawn from men who had served at central headquarters in Japan. The senior staff officer was Captain Kami Shigenori, and the next in line was Commander Ômae Toshikazu.
Activation of command of the 8th Fleet</a>]
The Navy Department of Imperial Headquarters issued the following "Great navy instruction no. 112" to the commander of the Combined Fleet:
- The operations of the 4th and 8th Fleets will be executed according to these instructions.
1. The 4th Fleet will be mainly responsible for operations in the islands of the South Seas and the waters to the east, and for maintaining security on the islands of the South Seas (including the Gilbert Islands). In addition, it will be responsible for protecting shipping on the waters between Japan, the islands of the South Seas, and the occupied islands in the South Pacific.
2. The 8th Fleet will be mainly responsible for operations in the South Pacific Area, in addition to subjugating eastern New Guinea and guarding the occupied territories in the South Pacific that lie to the east of New Guinea.
The aim of the reorganisation of the fleet in the Pacific Ocean, namely to unify command for surface and air operations, was not, for the moment, realised. The 6th Squadron comprised four ships: Aoba, Kinugasa, Furutaka, and Kako. It had previously been placed under the command of the 4th Fleet and had advanced to Rabaul.
The command group of the 8th Fleet (main strength) left Kure on 19 July on board the flagship Chôkai and arrived at Truk on 25 July. Discussions concerning the succession of command continued during 25–26 July, command being activated at midnight on 27 July.
Staff officers Kami and Ônishi went on ahead to Rabaul, where they occupied themselves with the local agreement with the 17th Army after 28 July. Meanwhile, the standing strength of the 4th Fleet at that time was engaged in the second transport operation to Buna. The command of the 8th Fleet arrived in Rabaul at 3 pm on 30 July and ordered the continuation of current operations based on the old order of battle after moving headquarters from the flagship to land.
The local agreement with the 17th Army was more or less completed on 31 July, but it was amended on 3 August after modifications to the 17th Army’s plans concerning the transport of the main strength of the South Seas Force, as previously discussed. The commander of the 8th Fleet issued the following order of battle on 5 August for the Port Moresby invasion and subjugation of eastern New Guinea operations. This was precisely two days before the Allied landings on Guadalcanal and Tulagi:
| Formation | Command | Strength | Duties |
| Main Force | 8th Fleet commander Vice Admiral Mikawa Gun’ichi | Chôkai | Support for the entire operation |
| Support Group | 6th Squadron commander Rear Admiral Gotô Sonchi | 6th Squadron (Aoba, Kinugasa, Furutaka, Kako) | Support for other units |
| Escort Fleet | 18th Squadron commander Rear Admiral Matsuyama Kôji | 18th Squadron (Tenryû, Tatsuta) Tsugaru, Yûbari 29th Destroyer Squadron (Yûzuki, Yûnagi, Oite, Uzuki) 23rd Submarine Chaser Squadron (No. 22, No. 23, No. 24 Submarine Chasers) 22nd Submarine Chaser Squadron (No. 28, No. 29 Submarine Chasers) No. 20 Minesweeper Sasebo Special Naval Landing Party Kiyokawa Maru observation planes (3) 10th Establishment Unit (part strength) 14th Establishment Unit (part strength) 15th Establishment Unit | 1. Escort of Port Moresby invasion units and patrols of anchorage 2. Speedy establishment of Buna area base 3. Occupation of Samarai and speedy establishment of base 4. Mopping up at Cape Ward Hunt 5. Transport of establishment units |
| Strike Force | 7th Base Force commander Rear Admiral Fujita Ruitarô | 7th Base Force (missing 23rd, 32nd Submarine Chaser Squadrons) Seven patrol boats Kure 3rd Special Naval Landing Party | 1. Surface mobile operations 2. Preparations for offensive in eastern New Guinea |
| Bismarck Area Defence Force | 8th Base Force commander Rear Admiral Kanazawa Masao | 8th Base Force (No. 20 Minesweeper missing) Kiyokawa Maru (three reconnaissance seaplanes missing) Shirataka, Hatsutaka, Wakataka Futabumi Maru, No. 3 Seki Maru 10th Establishment Unit (part strength) 11th Establishment Unit 12th Establishment Unit 13th Establishment Unit 14th Establishment Unit | 1. Landing operations in the Wau area 2. Guard waters near Rabaul 3. Defence of Bismarck area 4. Mopping up and occupation at Madang and Wewak |
| Submarine Units | 7th Submarine Squadron commander Rear Admiral Yoshitomi Setsumi | 7th Submarine Squadron (Ro-33, Ro-34) | 1. Search and surveillance, attack of enemy fleet 2. Destroy enemy surface transport |
| Attached | | Kôan Maru plus eight others | Supply |
Disposition of various formations</a>]
The disposition of these various formations under the command of the 8th Fleet was as follows:
One company of the Sasebo 5th Special Naval Landing Party and elements of the Base Signals Unit were transported to Buna and occupied the area and the airfield on 21 July 1942. The accompanying elements of the 15th Establishment Unit were responsible for speedily reconstructing the airstrip. The third Buna transport was changed to carry mainly navy establishment units. This was because the transport of the main strength of the South Seas Force had been delayed, and completion of the airfield at Buna was an urgent task at that time. Consequently, the main strength of the 15th Establishment Unit and elements of the 14th Establishment Unit steamed south from Rabaul on 6 August on three transports (Nankai Maru, Kinai Maru, and Kan’yô Maru), escorted by Tatsuta, Yûzuki, Uzuki, No. 23 Submarine Chaser, and No. 30 Submarine Chaser.
The 82nd Garrison and other landing party units, in addition to base force units, were guarding the Lae and Salamaua areas. The 82nd Garrison had been responsible for the defence of Lae since early March (strengthened by the Maizuru 2nd Special Naval Landing Party since 12 April), while one company of the 81st Garrison guarded Salamaua. The only Allied force facing them were elements of an independent force based around the mining town of Wau. The company of the 81st Garrison eventually ceded the defence of Salamaua to a company from the 82nd Garrison, then returned to Rabaul on 28 June 1942.
Meanwhile, a 200-strong enemy force armed with mortars and machine-guns raided Salamaua at around 2 am on 29 June. Japanese casualties amounted to 18 killed and injured. A further 100-strong party raided Lae at 1 am on 1 July resulting in ten Japanese casualties. Two companies of the Sasebo 5th Special Naval Landing Party, which had rushed to Lae, landed under fire from Allied planes on 1 July. These units were placed under the command of the 82nd Garrison and advanced to Salamaua to strengthen its defences.
These counter-attacks by a land-based enemy unit, though small-scale, could not be ignored. Staff officer Yamamoto from the Navy Department of Imperial Headquarters relayed the following information to Imoto from the Army Department on 1 July:[36]
- There are reports that the Americans have landed several thousand marines on islands in the Pacific. Further, it is thought that reinforcements arrived in Port Moresby in mid-June. There is a strong possibility of an enemy counter-attack from Port Moresby, as well as from the Pacific islands.
According to the agreement with the 17th Army, the 82nd Garrison was responsible for undertaking diversionary attacks in the Wau area. However, operations to stop the schemes of the Allied units had already been transferred through plans of the 8th Base Force.
Editor’s note: Mopping-up and offensive operations were undertaken from 21–23 July at Nadzab airfield (35 kilometres north-west of Lae) and at Mubo airfield (23 kilometres south-west of Salamaua).
Meanwhile, the airfield on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands was completed on 5 August, slightly earlier than planned. This airfield was quickly established for the execution of the FS Operation, which was planned for mid-September and based on the operational leadership policy for the region adopted on 13 June by the Navy Department of Imperial Headquarters, immediately after the naval battle at Midway. Thereafter, the Combined Fleet expected to quickly establish airbases in the South Pacific region, the so-called SN (base establishment) Operation.
Airfield at Guadalcanal
Local navy units had undertaken a search for the most appropriate location for an airbase having previously realised the necessity of a base in the Solomon Islands. A large flying boat from the 25th Air Corps was specially despatched to Tulagi on 25 May. Specially chosen officers and engineers from the 8th Base Force, as well as members of the 25th Air Corps, subsequently undertook a search for a location on Guadalcanal.[37] An appropriate location for a base was found approximately 2 kilometres from the sea to the east of the Lunga River in the north-west of the island.
The commander of the 25th Air Corps wrote to the commander of the 11th Air Fleet on 1 June requesting a survey of the area and the speedy establishment of an airbase:[38]
- We have recognised the necessity of an airbase on Guadalcanal Island for the reasons outlined below, and would like to see it established as soon as possible.
1. A base on Guadalcanal will extend the offensive and patrol range of Bismarck Island airbase operations into the Coral Sea. Land-based bombers and fighters could be advanced to Guadalcanal and it could be used as a relay base for forces deployed in the Bismarck area. It would also enable a strengthening of the anti-air capability of Tulagi.
2. It will enable an offensive capability in the New Hebrides in anticipation of reinforcements for airbases in future operations and, furthermore, will provide a staging point for base planes travelling between the Bismarck area and the New Hebrides and New Caledonia.
This request was telegraphed to the chief of staff of the Combined Fleet and the head of the 1st (Operations) Department of the Navy General Staff. It also complied with the overall plans of Imperial Headquarters after the defeat at Midway.
On 19 June, senior officers from the 4th Fleet, 25th Air Flotilla, and the 8th Base Force once again accompanied reconnaissance for a suitable airbase on Guadalcanal. Consequently, the 13th Establishment Unit (Lieutenant Commander Okamura Toku and 1,350 men) and the 11th Establishment Unit (Captain Monzen Tei and 1,221 men) began landing on Guadalcanal on 6 July. An advance party had landed on 1 July, but owing to fears from attack by large Allied aircraft, the main strength of the establishment units was transported in successive groups two vessels at a time. In this way, the landing was successfully completed.
The construction of the airfield commenced on 16 July. Work proceeded quickly despite Allied air attacks. Construction of stage one (an 800 by 60 metre runway) was completed on 5 August.
Lieutenant Commander Okamura had reported the estimated completion date previously, so fighter units were able to advance to the base almost immediately after its completion. Most of the establishment unit personnel were, naturally, construction troops. The number of men combat ready, armed with rifles and pistols, only totalled about one hundred and eighty and one hundred for the 11th and 13th Establishment Units, respectively.[39]
Tulagi and Gavutu
Elements of the Kure 3rd Special Naval Landing Party had occupied Tulagi and Gavutu, two small islands off the southern coast of Florida Island facing Guadalcanal, from 3 May 1942, thus providing a base for the Yokohama Air Corps and small vessel elements. These were strengthened by a company from the 81st Garrison on 1 July, re-forming as the 84th Garrison.
The unit was led by Commander Suzuki Masaaki. The main strength of the unit (approximately two hundred men) were garrisoned at Tulagi, with approximately fifty men on Gavutu, and a detachment of approximately one hundred and fifty men sent to guard the area around Lunga Point on Guadalcanal. In addition, elements of the 14th Establishment Unit had been sent to Tulagi to construct the base.
Surface units and the 2nd Air Corps</a>]
Tatsuta, Uzuki, and Yûzuki had steamed south from Rabaul to escort the third transport convoy to Buna, as mentioned above. Separate surface units, Tenryû, Yûbari, Yûnagi, and others, were at anchorage in Rabaul harbour. The 30th Destroyer Squadron was under the direct control of the 8th Fleet. Its ships, with the exception of Uzuki, were returning to Japan for repairs.
The 13th Submarine Group (submarines I-121, I-122, I-123), under the command of the 7th Submarine Squadron, had completed repairs in Japan and were currently returning to Truk and Rabaul. Submarine combat strength at that time comprised only Ro-33 and Ro-34 of the 21st Submarine Group, while the flagship Jingei was at Truk. These two submarines had been allocated to escort the Port Moresby invasion force so there were no vessels to undertake patrols in the Solomon Islands area. It was planned for the 13th Submarine Group to be advanced to the Espiritu Santo area after they arrived.
Meanwhile, the 2nd Air Corps, the pride of the 8th Fleet, advanced to Lakunai airfield near Rabaul on 6 August and was placed under the command of the 25th Air Flotilla. It was planned for the 2nd Air Corps to advance to Moresby after the 8th Fleet had invaded.
Assessment of the situation
On reflection, how did the command of the newly formed 8th Fleet assess the situation at that time? Reference was, of course, made to this issue in the above-mentioned discussions with the command of the 4th Fleet at Truk.
The 4th Fleet was, as a general rule, leaning towards the rather optimistic opinion that the Allies were probably not considering mounting a fundamental counter-offensive at that time. By way of contrast, the 8th Fleet thought it necessary to expect a counter-offensive sooner rather than later. The target of this counter-offensive was thought to be either the Marshall Islands or Solomon Islands, with the general opinion that the latter was more likely.[41] The 8th Fleet, however, was not concerned enough about a possible counter-offensive to immediately strengthen fighting capabilities.
Of most concern to the commanders of the 8th Fleet was the insufficient strength of the garrisons on Tulagi and at the airfield at Guadalcanal, some eleven hundred kilometres distant from Rabaul. The 8th Fleet recognised the need to advance fighter plane units to Guadalcanal immediately on the completion of the airfield. Proposals to this effect were strongly pressed to the staff officer responsible for the 11th Air Fleet, Captain Takahashi Senjun, who was at that time visiting Rabaul.[42] Captain Takahashi had come to Rabaul to discuss the Port Moresby operation, and to investigate the feasibility of using the airfield on Guadalcanal. This followed an extremely agitated appraisal concerning the despatch of fighters to the airfield, which was telegraphed from Lieutenant Commander Okamura, the head of the 13th Establishment Unit stationed at that time on Guadalcanal.
However, the 11th Air Fleet had made no preparations to quickly advance fighter units to Guadalcanal. Even the 8th Fleet had no plans to advance its own 2nd Air Corps to Guadalcanal, as they had previously been earmarked for deployment to Port Moresby.
Allied raids against Tulagi and Guadalcanal intensified from about the time the command of the 8th Fleet arrived in Rabaul. Previous raids to that time had consisted of only one to three planes on reconnaissance or offensive raids. The raids suddenly intensified after 31 July, with daily attacks by seven to ten aircraft. This situation is recorded by the overview reports of the 25th Air Flotilla, as follows:
- 29 July
- All clear on patrols over Rabaul and Tulagi.
2300 hrs, one large enemy aircraft raided Tulagi; no damage apart from shell damage to one large flying boat.
- All clear on patrols over Rabaul and Tulagi.
- 0900 hrs, seven B-17s raided Guadalcanal; pursued by three float planes but escaped.
- 0900 hrs, three large enemy aircraft raided Guadalcanal; pursued by six fighters but escaped.
1030 hrs, seven B-17s raided Tulagi; engaged by six fighters; three enemy planes severely damaged but not downed. Two fighters damaged by gunfire; two large flying boats damaged by bombs, but all can be repaired.
- 0820–1200 hrs, ten B-17s raided Guadalcanal and one B-17 raided Tulagi. Total of 12 fighters counter-attacked; two B-17s downed (one unconfirmed), two others severely damaged. Two fighters damaged by gunfire, one fighter under repairs suffered bomb damage, but can be repaired.
- 0830 hrs, two B-17s raided Tulagi; three fighters pursued and attacked but escaped.
No damage.
- 0820–1020 hrs, total of nine B-17s raided Guadalcanal and Tulagi. Six fighters counter-attacked, with one fighter lost ramming into and downing one B-17.
- 0810–1200 hrs, five B-17s raided Guadalcanal and Tulagi; total of nine fighters counter-attacked. Afflicted serious damage to two B-17s but not downed. One fighter received shell damage but can be repaired.
- All clear on patrols over Guadalcanal and Tulagi.
In the New Guinea area, meanwhile, a new airfield was discovered at the beginning of August near Rabi in Milne Bay. A large number of aircraft were confirmed to be stationed at the airfield. It was also clear that the region had been strongly reinforced by Allied transport ships. The difficulties encountered during the transport operations to Buna have been previously discussed.
Command of the 8th Fleet judged from these conditions that the Allies’ main focus would be to stop the Japanese offensive against Port Moresby, and that attacks on Guadalcanal would be limited to raiding operations.[43]
The locals on Guadalcanal fled into the mountains on 5 August. However, the Japanese forces thought this was the result of local conditions. No one imagined this was a forewarning of a full-scale Allied invasion.
Despite this, the 8th Signals Unit attached to the 8th Base Force noticed a change in signals communications towards the end of July and judged that the Allies were planning some strategy. This intelligence was passed on to the appropriate commanders. The 8th Fleet chief of staff, Rear Admiral Ônishi, recorded in his memoirs that he personally visited the 8th Signals Unit and listened to these communications. He states that these indicated an imminent Allied counter-offensive, and that the target would be Guadalcanal. Despite this, the 8th Fleet did not undertake discussion of any mechanisms to meet this threat.
The Navy Department of Imperial Headquarters was also aware of the change in Allied signals. The head of the 1st (Operations) Department despatched the following telegraph to the chiefs of staff of all fleets on 4 August:
- In consideration of the following signals intelligence, the recent movements of Allied aircraft in British New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, but also in the regions of Wake Island and the Marshall Islands, admit a need for vigilance.
1. Reinforced air strength appeared in the Hawaii area on 2 August; thought to indicate the presence of a strong force.
2. Amount of communications traffic from Hawaii increased at the end of July. The recipient of a large number of these signals was the Pacific Fleet and the commander of the South-East Pacific Area Fleet.
3. A strengthened presence of British and American capital ships in the waters to the east of Australia on 2–3 August.
Further, the Navy Department received intelligence in mid-July that "A large transport convoy (37 ships) left port from San Diego on 2 July, and another from somewhere on the west coast (45 ships), both expected to reach the waters to the east of Australia by early August."
In regard to this information, the Navy Department judged that: "The Allied objective is simply to reinforce and support Australia. Given Japanese inability to advance to Australia, it is thought that the Allies will instead land reinforcements directly at Port Moresby."[44] The chief of staff of the Combined Fleet, Vice Admiral Ugaki, directly alerted the navy chief of staff, Admiral Nagano, of this intelligence on 17 July.
However, even the Combined Fleet did not discuss any particular strategies based on this intelligence to counter the threat. It was anticipated that the formation of the 8th Fleet and the unprecedented preparations undertaken in the South Pacific Area were the result of these considerations.
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Operations of the 25th Air Flotilla
The air war of attrition intensifies
As discussed above, the outbreak of the battle of the Coral Sea resulted in orders issued on 10 May postponing the invasion of Port Moresby. The 25th Air Flotilla subsequently returned to its previous duties.
These previous duties involved patrols of the region, pursuit and destruction of enemy offensive units, destruction of Allied strength in the north-east of Australia, and cooperation with the Port Moresby offensive operation (based on orders from the Airbase Force Command issued on 10 April). At this stage, the operational policy of the 25th Air Flotilla was outlined as follows:
- 1. Main responsibilities
- a. Destroy Allied air strength in eastern New Guinea and north-eastern Australia.
b. Patrol waters of the Solomon Islands, eastern New Guinea, and to the east of Rabaul.
c. Cooperate with defensive units on New Britain.
d. Cooperate with Japanese forces to destroy an Allied task force when it is detected.
e. Cooperate to construct airbases.
- Destroy enemy aircraft in the Port Moresby region, be vigilant against an Allied task force, and with destruction of enemy aircraft the main priority, make preparations for the rescheduled Port Moresby offensive operations, undertake training of reinforcements, and strive to advance preparations at bases.
a. Intensify the air war against Port Moresby and Horn Island using fighters from the Lae base.
b. Maintain vigilance in the skies over bases, and intensify the air war.
c. Undertake daily patrols of the seas using flying boats and land-based attack planes (mainly Type-96) to seek out the Allied task force.
d. Undertake surveys for suitable locations for bases in the Solomon Islands and eastern New Guinea.
The order of battle was essentially unchanged, but the base of operations had changed somewhat. The main strength of the land-based attack units (4th Air Corps and the Motoyama Air Corps) were assembled at Rabaul (Vunakanau). The main strength of the fighter unit (Tainan Air Corps) had been advanced to Lae, with elements stationed at Rabaul (Lakunai). Elements of the Yokohama Air Corps (the main strength from 3–17 May) were advanced to Tulagi.
The fighting strength in the area on 15 May was as follows:
- 23 Zero fighters
33 land-based attack planes (13 Type-1, 20 Type-96)
7 large flying boats
It goes without saying that the 25th Air Flotilla faced a difficult air war of attrition. The policy was adopted to mainly use the fighters for the offensive air war and to hold the strength of the attack planes in reserve.
The Rabaul detachment of the 24th Air Flotilla (15 Zero fighters) was temporarily placed under the command of the 25th Air Flotilla on 25 May 1942. It was further strengthened by 12 float planes from Japan on 3 June, and by three Type-96 land reconnaissance planes despatched from the 3rd Air Corps on 5 June.
The Japanese force operated raids from bases in Rabaul and Lae between mid-May and mid-June primarily against Port Moresby, and occasionally against Horn Island. The Allies flew raids in large aircraft against Rabaul and in medium aircraft against Lae. This was surely an air war of attrition.
The Allies mainly bombed Rabaul with B-17s, and Lae with B-25s and B-26s. As a rule, the Allied air raids increased in intensity when Japanese raids on Rabaul subsided. Although the Allies bombed Lae, this was mostly undertaken unaccompanied by fighters. The Japanese Zero fighters were overwhelmingly superior to Allied fighters, but they were ineffective against Allied bombers, particularly the B-17, which the Allies proudly called the "flying fortress". For example, six B-17s raided Rabaul at 1.15 pm on 25 May from an altitude of 8,000 metres. Fifteen Zero fighters took-off, six of which engaged the B-17s. One Allied bomber in particular was pursued and attacked for two hours, suffering repeated attacks. One engine was damaged, but the Zeros could not force it down.
Attacks on Port Moresby by lone fighters were discontinued after mid-June owing to the offensive operations. These were replaced by a combination of night attacks by small groups of fighters, and daytime raids using fighters and bombers in combination. The number of operational aircraft at that time did not exceed thirty, with fighters outnumbering bombers. There were only three night raids and ten daytime raids (including one against Horn Island) during the period from mid-June to mid-July.
Several missions to reconnoitre roads for the Ri Operation Study were undertaken by land-based reconnaissance and attack aircraft under escort by fighters during the period from late June to early July. The reports from these missions were introduced above as evidence in support of the overland invasion route.
A decision was taken in mid-July to despatch the first transport of the Yokoyama Advance Party to Buna for the Ri Operation Study. The commander of the 25th Air Flotilla issued the following operational policy on 17 July to enable cooperation between the 18th Squadron and the South Seas Force:[45]
- 1. Operational outline
- a. Patrol the assigned sector.
b. Attack and place under pressure troops stationed in New Guinea and north-eastern Australia, but especially those at Port Moresby.
c. Aerial protection of the transport convoy for the Ri Operation Study.
d. Reconnaissance of key locations for the Ri Operation Study.
- a. 1st Force (Tainan Air Corps)
i. Days x-3 to x-1, attack Port Moresby in cooperation with the 2nd Force.
ii. Day x-1, undertake aerial protection of the convoy by special order.
iii. Day x (0930–1600 hrs) and day x+1 (0530–1500 hrs), undertake aerial protection of the convoy (six fighters within the sphere of enemy fighter movements, the rest disposed at the discretion of the commander).
iv. After day x, undertake patrols of sector A until special orders are issued.
b. 2nd Force (4th Air Corps)
i. Days x-3 to x-1, attack Port Moresby in cooperation with the 1st Force.
ii. After day x, undertake patrols of sectors A and B until special orders are issued.
c. 4th Force (Yokohama Air Corps)
Continue previous duties.
d. 1st and 2nd Special Duty Units (Akitsushima and Mogamikawa Maru)
Continue previous duties; respond as required to special orders.
The campaign was executed according to these general principles after the second transport to Buna.
The night raids at this time on key locations along the eastern coast of Australia by Type-2 flying boats are worthy of mention. The Airbase Force Command issued orders to the command of the 25th Air Flotilla on 17 July titled, "Orders for the reconnaissance of the Fiji, New Hebrides, and New Caledonia areas and the execution of night raids on key locations in eastern Australia by Type-2 flying boats". Two Type-2 large flying boats from the 14th Air Corps Detachment of the 24th Air Flotilla were placed under the command of the 25th Air Flotilla especially for this purpose. These flying boats advanced to Rabaul on 20 July, raided Townsville during the nights of 25 and 28 July, and Cairns during the night of 31 July. Although the targets on each occasion were airfield facilities, the success of the raids was not clear.
While the Japanese forces had difficulty dealing with the might of Allied B-17s, the new B-24 made its first appearance in the South Pacific Area in July. The main strength of the 11th and 13th Establishment Units landed on Guadalcanal on 6 July. At 2.40 pm that day, they were raided by one large aircraft. It was pursued by six float planes, but regrettably escaped. This was a B-24. It was reported that its speed was approximately 20 kilometres per hour superior to that of the float planes. However, there were reports that two B-24s were shot down: one of the two from the raid on 10 July, and one on 17 July. After those incidents, B-17s were the aircraft used to raid Guadalcanal.[46]
Airbase preparations
The airbase war after that ebbed and flowed, arriving at a situation where both sides held their own. The remarkable change up to early August was the steady preparation of new Allied airfields in the Port Moresby area. At that time, the Japanese had only two airfields at Rabaul: Vunakanau and Lakunai. Even counting the main base for the 25th Air Flotilla at Lae, this totalled only three airfields. (The strip at Gasmata was only for emergency landings.) From the end of June, the Combined Fleet began the SN Operation, a ground-breaking attempt to quickly establish airbases in the South Pacific Area. The unit mainly responsible for this operation was the 4th Fleet, but the 25th Air Flotilla was charged with reconnoitring suitable sites for bases, and responsible for protecting establishment units while under transport and while constructing bases.
The bases at Guadalcanal and Buna were swiftly constructed in accordance with the terms of the SN Operation. Elsewhere, the airfields at Rabaul and Lae were repaired and enlarged, and an airfield constructed at Kavieng. The problem area was in the central-north Solomon Islands. The distance from Guadalcanal to Rabaul is about 1,000 kilometres, so there was no question that a land base was required between the two. Reconnaissance of Kieta and Buka islands was undertaken by a single aircraft on 19 June. A runway was discovered around 6 kilometres from the southern coastline of Kieta (800 by 80 metres), and a further runway in the south of Buka Island (700 by 60 metres). The latter had an emergency runway (500 by 60 metres) arranged in an "L" formation with the main runway.
The staff officers responsible for the 25th Air Flotilla and the 8th Base Force, and the commander of the 14th Establishment Unit, personally flew over and inspected the Kieta runway in a large flying boat on 8 July. As a result of this reconnaissance, the commander of the 25th Air Flotilla sent a report outlining his conclusions to the Airbase Force Command that evening, as follows:[47]
- As a result of this intelligence, it is anticipated that one runway can be completed by early September using the main strength of the 14th Establishment Unit (currently at Rabaul).
However, even with the completion of the airfield, it cannot be expected to be used as an emergency landing strip for medium-attack aircraft owing to the obstructions on the periphery of the runway and the drainage on the airfield. There is no room for expansion of the airbase, so there is absolutely no prospect for using this site according to the requirements of Telegraph no. 183. In addition, no suitable sites for an airbase have been located on Bougainville.
- Even if construction of the airfield on Kieta begins immediately, in accord with the report from the commander of the 25th Air Flotilla, it would still be completed after the base at Guadalcanal. The value of a base on Kieta in that instance would be negligible. Consequently, we would like to see the suspension of the construction of the Kieta base.
The plans to construct the base on Kieta were, regrettably, discarded, a decision with which the Navy Department agreed. On 26 July, a special detachment was sent to personally inspect the Buka base, but this too was considered unacceptable as one of the speedily constructed bases.
Reconnaissance of the situation of the Allies
The 25th Air Flotilla, in addition to reconnaissance over north-eastern Australia for its own operations, carried out reconnaissance from time to time over the Santa Cruz Islands, the New Hebrides, New Caledonia, and the Fijian islands area.
Reconnaissance of the New Hebrides and the Chesterfield Islands (in north-east New Caledonia) was carried out on 1 June by flying boat from the Tulagi base. Special orders had been issued by the Airbase Force Command for the reconnaissance, at the request of the 2nd Fleet. The mission confirmed that the Allies had been steadily constructing an airbase on Efate in the New Hebrides. Tulagi is approximately 1,100 kilometres from Rabaul, and 1,300 kilometres from Efate. It will be recalled that in planning for the FS Operation after the battle of Midway, consideration was given for an invasion of Efate as a stepping stone for an invasion of New Caledonia.
The Airbase Force Command, on 22 June, demanded reconnaissance as soon as possible of the Santa Cruz Islands and the New Hebrides areas for suitable sites for flying boat and land airbases. Subsequently, while undertaking patrols over patrol sector F, one aircraft secretly reconnoitred Efate and another surveyed the New Hebrides and Santa Cruz. The latter of these missions was accompanied by Imperial Headquarters staff officer Major Yamauchi Tomiaki, who had been at that time sent to the South-East Area to gather intelligence.
Airbase Force Command specially transferred the 14th Air Corps Detachment to the 25th Air Flotilla on 17 July.[49] Reconnaissance to this point had mainly looked for suitable sites for airbases to be used for the New Caledonia invasion. From this point on, however, its role would be strategic reconnaissance to uncover Allied movements. The commander of the 25th Air Flotilla, after the completion of the night raids on key sites in northern Australia, ordered the 14th Air Corps Detachment on 2 August, as follows: "Two Type-2 flying boats will quickly advance to Tulagi, carry out reconnaissance according to oral instructions from 3 August, then return to Rabaul." The two Type-2 flying boats carried out these orders and undertook strategic reconnaissance over Fiji and New Caledonia on 4 August.
Meanwhile, an American composite force under the command of Rear Admiral Richmond Turner and based on the 1st Marine Division had completed exercises on Koro island in Fiji, and after departing on 31 July, was steaming towards Guadalcanal with the escort fleet. The convoy passed to the south of the New Hebrides during 3 August, then turned to the north-west at a position to the north of New Caledonia the following day (latitude 159 degrees 6 minutes east, longitude 16 degrees 36 minutes south). This was the huge invasion fleet group comprising some 82 vessels.[50]
Unfortunately for the Japanese forces, the two Type-2 reconnaissance flying boats were unable to locate the invasion group. The commander of the 25th Air Flotilla filed the following initial report: "Two Type-2 flying boats carried out reconnaissance over the Fiji and New Caledonia areas and returned successfully to Tulagi. Report of intelligence to follow."
On reflection, patrol duties had been one of the 25th Air Flotilla’s main strategic responsibilities. Patrols had continued on a daily basis after 25 April.
Three flying boats set out on 4 August to patrol sector F(a). Poor weather, however, limited no. 1 and no. 2 reconnaissance aircraft to a patrol radius of 120 kilometres, and no. 3 aircraft to a range of 740 kilometres. Visibility was barely 9 kilometres. Other than passing a large enemy aircraft at a bearing of 170 degrees and 180 kilometres from Tulagi, there was nothing to report.
The same three aircraft patrolled sector F(a) again on 5 August. Again, the patrol was hampered by heavy rain and limited to a radius of 180 kilometres. No sign of the enemy was found. On 6 August, no. 1 reconnaissance plane patrolled an area of 690 kilometres, and no. 2 and no. 3 each patrolled an area of 740 kilometres. The convoy carrying the US marine division was within the range of these patrols, but were not caught within the trap. A thorough search of the sector was completed, with the report of "Scattered clouds, occasional squalls, visibility from 20–40 kilometres, enemy not sighted."[51] A huge opportunity had been lost.
The Rabi airfield
To return somewhat to earlier events, the 8th Fleet had decided on the basis of investigations carried out by the army and navy at the end of July to invade key areas in Milne Bay and Samarai. The commander of the 25th Air Flotilla consequently ordered the 4th Air Corps on 1 August to undertake aerial photographic surveillance of Samarai, which was carried out on 3 August by a Type-1 land-based attack plane from patrol sector A. During this mission, however, what looked like an airfield was discovered to the west of Rabi (approximately 55 kilometres north-west of Samarai), with two small aircraft about 500 metres above the airfield. The reconnaissance aircraft was sent again to investigate the following day, 4 August, with an escort of four Zero fighters. An air battle ensued and the land-based attack plane in the end did not return. The 25th Air Flotilla compiled the results of intelligence and submitted the following report:[52]
- 1. The airfield is located 1–2 kilometres to the west of Rabi. The runway is from 1,200–1,500 metres long and 60 metres wide and runs east–west. There are coconut plantations to the north and south of the runway, and there are dispersal areas.
2. There were approximately eight P-40s on the runway, 20 P-40s on the dispersal area to the north, seven P-40s on the dispersal area to the south, and around 11 P-40s in the air.
3. There are three jetties at Rabi, with one 25,000 tonne merchant ship alongside, and what looks like one 1,500 tonne destroyer at anchorage.
4. As a result of the air battle, four P-40s were shot down and five burnt. One Japanese reconnaissance plane did not return.
The Allies had recognised the need for an airfield in Milne Bay in May, and thereafter began construction of the base for use by fighter units. Instructions issued on 12 June expanded the base for use by bombers. By mid-July, the base had an Australian infantry brigade of around four thousand five hundred men, as well as a US fighter battalion equipped with P-40s and anti-aircraft defence units.
In any case, the appearance of the airfield at Rabi was a great threat to the Japanese forces that had first planned to invade Port Moresby. Without first taking this airfield, it would be impossible to mount an attack on Port Moresby by the sea route. Even if the overland offensive against Port Moresby was successful, it was not possible to ignore the airfield at Rabi.
The commander of the 25th Air Flotilla initially planned to attack the Rabi airfield with his entire force. Orders were issued for all Zero fighters that were combat ready to leave Lae and assemble at Rabaul. The following day at 11.30 am, the entire strength of the Tainan Air Corps (including 12 aircraft providing direct cover) and 27 land-based attack planes from the 4th Air Corps were ordered to attack the Rabi airfield and destroy all enemy aircraft in the area. As it transpired, the American invasion force was at that time in the waters to the east of Rennell Island heading north towards the west coast of Guadalcanal.
The number of operational aircraft available to the 25th Air Flotilla on 6 August was barely as follows:
- 32 Type-1 land-based attack planes
18 Zero fighters
2 land-based reconnaissance planes
2 Type-2 flying boats
10 Type-96 flying boats
6 float planes
Plan to transfer the 26th Air Flotilla to the South Pacific Area
During these events, the 11th Air Fleet was planning to advance the 26th Air Flotilla to the South Pacific Area and have it replace the 25th Air Flotilla.
The 26th Air Flotilla was formed at the same time as the 25th Air Flotilla, as previously mentioned. It comprised the 6th Air Corps (based on fighters), the Mizawa Air Corps (land-based attack planes), and the Kisarazu Air Corps (land-based attack planes). The standing strength of the formation, including reserves, was sixty fighter planes for the 6th Air Corps and 36 land-based attack planes for each of the Mizawa and Kisarazu Air Corps.
The 26th Air Flotilla was stationed primarily in the Mizawa and Kisarazu areas of Japan at the beginning of stage two operations, and was responsible for operations in the home islands and in the North-East Pacific Area. At the time of the Midway Operation, the 24th and 26th Air Flotillas were advanced to the Midway area to participate in later offensives against Hawaii.[53]
Consequently, the fighter units of the 6th Air Corps were aboard the mobile carrier fleet and directly participated in the Midway naval battle. Further, elements of the Mizawa Air Corps had been advanced to Wake Island and made responsible for reconnaissance attack operations.
After the Midway battle, the Combined Fleet continued preparations for the execution of the FS Operation using units from the 2nd Fleet, the 1st Air Fleet, and the 11th Air Fleet.
The staff office of the 26th Air Flotilla received on 30 June an explanation of the overview of the FS Operation that was to commence on 20 September.[54] The content of this, which had been arranged with the 11th Air Fleet, was that the unit would advance to Guadalcanal on around 20 August, when stage two of the airfield construction was completed. Then, under protection from units at the airfield, they would first attack Efate, then New Caledonia. For this purpose, the 26th Air Flotilla was strengthened with units that included the Yokohama Air Corps (flying boats), the 14th Air Corps (flying boats), and the 2nd Air Corps (fighters and bombers). With Guadalcanal and Tulagi as bases, Type-2 flying boats were to attack New Caledonia, and land-based attack aircraft to attack and harass Efate. The 2nd and 6th Air Corps were to advance to Efate when it had been occupied, from where they could attack and harass New Caledonia.
Meanwhile, the plan for airfield construction on Guadalcanal comprised two stages. Stage one involved accommodating 27 fighters and 27 land-based attack planes, while stage two would aim to cater for 45 Zero fighters and 60 land-based attack planes. In other words, the advance of the main strength of the 26th Air Flotilla to Guadalcanal was planned for early September. Until then, units would remain in their current disposition.
However, the FS Operation was cancelled in July, so the plan was changed such that the 26th Air Flotilla would replace the 25th Air Flotilla and be responsible for air operations in the South Pacific Area.
To this end, the staff officers of the 11th Air Fleet and the 26th Air Flotilla met on 1 August. The 11th Air Fleet proposed that elements of the 6th Air Corps be advanced to the newly completed airfield on Guadalcanal as soon as possible after its planned completion date on 5 August. Meanwhile, seven float planes from the Yokohama Air Corps were patrolling the skies over Tulagi. However, it was considered necessary to transfer these to protect the transport convoy operations to Buna.[55] The 6th Air Corps had participated in the Midway battle and lost a large portion of its complement of aircraft, as well as suffering attrition to its aircrew. At this time, the unit was being rebuilt at Kisarazu. It was estimated that from 9–12 aircraft could be loaded on an aircraft carrier and advanced to Guadalcanal by around 16 August.
Further, a proposal was drawn up concerning the advance of the main force of the 26th Air Flotilla into the South Pacific Area. The airbase at Kavieng, built as part of the base establishment policy, would be completed by 15 August to the extent that it could accommodate the main strength of the 6th Air Corps and the Mizawa Air Corps. The base would be expanded so that, in addition to the Mizawa Air Corps, which would arrive in the latter part of August, the air flotilla headquarters and the remainder of the 6th Air Corps would arrive in early September. The Mizawa Air Corps was at that time stationed in Saipan. It was planned that the Kisarazu Air Corps would advance to the area in late September or early October. The transfer with the 25th Air Flotilla could then happen after that date.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Commander Okamura from the 13th Establishment Unit had submitted his demands for air strength to be advanced to the Guadalcanal area. In response, the 11th Air Fleet senior staff officer and supply staff officer were despatched to Rabaul to undertake discussions concerning the Port Moresby operation and to undertake firsthand reconnaissance of the Guadalcanal base area. They had planned to set out from Rabaul for Tulagi aboard a Type-2 flying boat on 6 August, but were delayed by one day owing to discussions about the Port Moresby operation with the 17th Army and the 8th Fleet. On the following day, 8 August, the US army landed troops on Guadalcanal.
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Plans of Imperial Headquarters in early August
From the Pacific Ocean to Chungking and the Indian Ocean
The situation of the local army and navy forces in the face of a US counter-attack on Guadalcanal has been described. It is now necessary to turn to an examination of the overall strategic plans of Imperial Headquarters.
Notions of a quick decisive battle on the surface of the Pacific Ocean held by the Army Department and Navy Department of Imperial Headquarters were frustrated in early July after the results of the battle of Midway. The prime concern of strategic leadership at that time shifted to operations against Chungking and the Indian Ocean.
Research into detailed strategies for seizing power in Chungking had proceeded since the time when the operational overview for stage two was determined by the Army Department in mid-March. However, by the latter part of June, the army’s Operations Department had changed its position and was pressing for the No. 50 Operation, an invasion in the first instance of Xian, then continuing into an offensive along the Yangtze River, ultimately leading to No. 51 Operation to invade both Chungking and Chengdu.[56] The campaign was to be the scale of the Szechwan invasion force of 15 infantry division and two air divisions, and was due to commence in December 1942 and be completed in March the following year.
Meanwhile, another issue that emerged at that time, and that flowed on from the end of the Burma campaign, was whether to invade eastern India to foment Indian discontent with Britain and promote civil disorder.
The Burma campaign was basically over by early May. The Southern Area Army consequently despatched its staff officers to Tokyo to present appraisals of the plan to invade India. The army’s Operations Department requested the Southern Area Army to proceed with detailed research into the feasibility of the plan, while waiting for the results of its own investigations.
The Army Department of Imperial Headquarters at that time favoured political stratagems and destruction of merchant shipping rather than a land invasion. The latter was considered too difficult, and there were fears that it would result in indigenous resistance from the general population.[57]
The invasion of Ceylon, however, would be beneficial to the development of German and Italian operations in the Western Atlantic Area. They held the idea that the India operation would be executed if it could be carried out in collusion with Germany and Italy.
A decision had not been reached by 26 June, but the Army Department issued instructions for an outline of the preparations for the Ceylon operation, and ordered the designated infantry group (38th Division) to carry out preparatory training exercises.
Meanwhile, the staff office of the Combined Fleet presented a proposal on 22 June to the Navy Department outlining the commander of the Combined Fleet’s proposal to cancel the FS Operation. The proposal also argued the merits of using the mobile carrier fleet in the Indian Ocean to smash merchant shipping routes in order to force Britain to sue for peace in the area. Later, in early July, the FS Operation was indeed cancelled, and the Navy Department and Combined Fleet proceeded with research into operations in the Indian Ocean area.
There were two aims to the Indian Ocean operations. First was primarily to try and promote separation and civil unrest in India by invading Ceylon and key locations in India such as Calcutta. Secondly, enforcing a blockade between India and Britain by intensifying operations against merchant shipping was an attempt to break British will to continue the war.
The operation against key locations in India and the blockade operations in the Indian Ocean were related. There were pre-existing plans of the army for the former operation, but it was waiting on further research. The navy was conducting its own independent research for the supply-route blockade operation. The focal point of the discussions involved large-scale proposals to send submarines, and also surface units, to the Indian Ocean to do battle with enemy surface units.
The bones of an agreement were hammered out by early August as the result of discussions between the Navy Department and the Combined Fleet. This involved a force based on the 2nd and 3rd Fleets sortieing from Japan on 20 September. Supply preparations and operations in the western Indian Ocean and to the north-west of Australia would be completed in stage one beginning in early October and taking around a month. After that, stage two operations would commence in early November in the Bengal Bay area.[58]
In this way, from late June through to early August, the Navy Department of Imperial Headquarters was undertaking various investigations into three different operational proposals: the Chungking invasion operation, the invasion of key locations in India, and the supply blockade in the Indian Ocean. The Army Department was completely obsessed with realising the plan to invade Chungking. The navy placed most importance on the Indian Ocean operation. Both operations had their merits and demerits. Army minister Tôjô transmitted the following opinion to chief of operations Tanaka on 21 July:
- I would be greatly pleased if the Chungking invasion and operations in the Indian Ocean were undertaken simultaneously, but if this is not possible, are not operations in the Indian Ocean area more beneficial to the overall war effort at this time? However, the strategic results to be gained are not sufficient to undertake the Indian Ocean operations alone. What if the army cooperates with the navy to carry out the Indian Ocean operations as much as is possible while also executing the invasion of Chungking operation?
Let us now bring together the ideas of Imperial Headquarters relating to operations in the South-East Area (South Pacific Area) carried out under the overall operational leadership policy.
First, the "Army and navy central agreement relating to operations in eastern New Guinea" was issued on 28 July. According to this agreement, the operational objective was, "To invade and secure the key areas of Port Moresby, to annihilate the enemy from eastern New Guinea, and in combination with taking advantage of the Solomon Islands, to bring the Coral Sea under control." Originally, this agreement primarily specified the invasion of Port Moresby, but it did not specify any tactics for after the invasion, especially in the Solomon Islands region. However, the clause "in combination with taking advantage of the Solomon Islands, to bring the Coral Sea under control" provides just a glimpse of the notion of adopting a defensive stance on the important eastern New Guinea and Solomon Islands fronts concerning the Coral Sea.
However, the operational leadership policy for subsequent operations adopted by the Navy Department of Imperial Headquarters in early July made clear the following:
- The 17th Army and the 8th Fleet will invade Port Moresby as quickly as possible, and also thoroughly remove remaining enemy units in British New Guinea. Previous preparations to establish airbases in key areas will be advantageous in mounting air operations against mainland Australia. Counter-offensives against Allied operations to regain these areas must be intensified. Research preparations for operations must proceed in the interim.
- The 8th Fleet will cooperate with the 17th Army in operations in the South-East Area to quickly subjugate eastern New Guinea, including Port Moresby. In addition, defences of key areas will be greatly strengthened and as many airfields as possible established. It is our intention to secure the supply line between New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and also to the Gilbert Islands.
This makes clear that the intention of the strengthening of the Japanese strategic position was to try and smash the Allied counter-offensive at the line of eastern New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the Gilbert Islands.
The beginning of the Combined Fleet’s SN Operation in late June to swiftly establish airbases in the South Pacific was a manifestation of the conception of this strategic position.
Army chief of staff Sugiyama also pointed out on 11 July that:
- We must hold the fronts in eastern New Guinea and Rabaul to the end. If they fall, not only will the Pacific Ocean be in peril, but it will allow the western advance of MacArthur’s counter-attack through New Guinea and herald the fall of our dominion in the southern area.
As these examples make clear, Imperial Headquarters shifted for the moment from an offensive to a strategic defensive position with regard to the South Pacific Area. It was also the reality that they anticipated a fast Allied counter-attack in the direction of this region. However, it is also true that no specific discussions or research was carried out jointly by the Army and Navy Departments concerning the operations to break this counter-attack, particularly defensive operations in the Solomon Islands area.
Even at the Guadalcanal airfield, which was originally established to support the invasion of New Caledonia, there were few defensive mechanisms installed. Furthermore, senior officers in the Army Department and staff officers had not even heard of Guadalcanal, let alone that the navy had established an airfield there.[60] The army held no interest and disregarded any information on Guadalcanal despite the navy having made clear their intentions.
Of final concern is Imperial Headquarters’ intention for local army and navy units to "Pursue investigations and gather intelligence relating to operations against mainland Australia and the invasion of New Caledonia and Fiji areas."[61] This was made clear in the above-mentioned submission to the emperor on 11 July by the army chief of staff. At that time, the FS Operation had not been completely called off. Consequently, Imperial Headquarters originally established a strategic defensive policy, but did not pay sufficient attention to the establishment of their line of defence. The urgent task in the area was thought to be the speedy occupation of Port Moresby, so their strength was wholeheartedly concentrated on achieving this goal.
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Notes
1 Futami Akisaburô, Kodôki oyobi kaisôroku (Record of a beating heart and recollections) (1967).
2 Konuma Haruo, Gashima ni okeru Dai 17 Gun no sakusen (Operations of the 17th Army on Guadalcanal) (1957).
3 Dairikumei, Daikairei, Dairikushi, oyobi Daikaishi no kakutsuzuri (Bundles of Great Army Orders, Great Navy Orders, Great Army Instructions, and Great Navy Instructions).
4 Sakusen kankei jûyô shorui tsuzuri (Important documents related to operations).
5 Kawaguchi Kiyotake, Gadarudanaru Shim ani okeru Kawaguchi Shitai no sakusen (Operations of the Kawaguchi Attachment on Guadalcanal) (1954).
6 Toyofuku Tetsuo, Toyofuku Shôsa kôwa (Interview with Major Toyofuku) (1943).
7 Konuma Haruo, Gashima ni okeru Dai 17 Gun no sakusen (Operations of the 17th Army on Guadalcanal) (1957).
8 Konuma Haruo, Gashima ni okeru Dai 17 Gun no sakusen (Operations of the 17th Army on Guadalcanal) (1957).
9 Konuma Haruo, Gashima ni okeru Dai 17 Gun no sakusen (Operations of the 17th Army on Guadalcanal) (1957).
10 Toyofuku Tetsuo, Toyofuku Shôsa kôwa (Interview with Major Toyofuku) (1943).
11 Konuma Haruo, Gashima ni okeru Dai 17 Gun no sakusen (Operations of the 17th Army on Guadalcanal) (1957).
12 Kanezawa Masao, Kanezawa nisshi (Diary of Kanezawa).
13 Dai 18 Sentai sentô shôhô (Detailed battle reports of the 18th Squadron).
14 Daitôasen shi Minami Taiheiyô sakusen (Greater East Asian War South Pacific operations).
15 Futami Akisaburô, Kodôki oyobi kaisôroku (Record of a beating heart and recollections) (1967).
16 Futami Akisaburô, Kodôki oyobi kaisôroku (Record of a beating heart and recollections) (1967); and Matsumoto Takeshi, Sakamoto Takeshi no kaisô (The memoir of Matsumoto Takeshi).
17 Futami Akisaburô, Kodôki oyobi kaisôroku (Record of a beating heart and recollections) (1967); and Matsumoto Takeshi, Sakamoto Takeshi no kaisô (The memoir of Matsumoto Takeshi).
18 Matsumoto Takeshi, Sakamoto Takeshi no kaisô (Recollections of Matsumoto Takeshi).
19 Konuma Haruo, Gashima ni okeru Dai 17 Gun no sakusen (Operations of the 17th Army on Guadalcanal) (1957).
20 Daitôasen shi Minami Taiheiyô sakusen (Greater East Asian War South Pacific operations).
21 Yamada Sadayoshi, Yamada nisshi (Diary of Rear Admiral Yamada Sadayoshi).
22 Toyofuku Tetsuo, Toyofuku Shôsa kôwa (Interview with Major Toyofuku Tetsuo).
23 Toyofuku Tetsuo, Toyofuku Shôsa kôwa (Interview with Major Toyofuku Tetsuo).
24 Minami Taiheiyô sakusen shiryô (Documents of operations in the South Pacific).
25 Konuma Haruo, Gashima ni okeru Dai 17 Gun no sakusen (Operations of the 17th Army on Guadalcanal) (1957).
26 Konuma Haruo, Gashima ni okeru Dai 17 Gun no sakusen (Operations of the 17th Army on Guadalcanal) (1957).
27 Konuma Haruo, Gashima ni okeru Dai 17 Gun no sakusen (Operations of the 17th Army on Guadalcanal) (1957).
28 Konuma Haruo, Gashima ni okeru Dai 17 Gun no sakusen (Operations of the 17th Army on Guadalcanal) (1957).
29 Minami Taiheiyô sakusen shiryô (Documents of operations in the South Pacific).
30 Futami Akisaburô, Kodôki oyobi kaisôroku (Record of a beating heart and recollections) (1967).
31 Futami Akisaburô, Kodôki oyobi kaisôroku (Record of a beating heart and recollections) (1967).
32 Kaigun senji hensei tsuzuri (Navy wartime organisation).
33 Kaigun senji hensei tsuzuri (Navy wartime organisation).
34 Sakusen kenkyû shiryô (Operations research documents).
35 Sakusen kenkyû shiryô (Operations research documents).
36 Imoto Kumao, Imoto Kumao Chûsa nisshi (Diary of Lieutenant Colonel Imoto Kumao).
37 Yamada Sadayoshi, Yamada nisshi (Diary of Rear Admiral Yamada Sadayoshi).
38 Yamada Sadayoshi, Yamada nisshi (Diary of Rear Admiral Yamada Sadayoshi).
39 Okamura Tokunaga, Okamura Tokunaga Shôsa no kaisô (Recollections of Lieutenant Commander Okamura Tokunaga).
40 Sakusen kenkyû shiryô (Operations research documents).
41 Ômae Toshikazu, Ômae Toshikazu Chûsa no kaisô (Recollections of Commander Ômae Toshikazu).
42 Ômae Toshikazu, Ômae Toshikazu Chûsa no kaisô (Recollections of Commander Ômae Toshikazu).
43 Ômae Toshikazu, Ômae Toshikazu Chûsa no kaisô (Recollections of Commander Ômae Toshikazu).
44 Sanagi Kowashi, Sanagi Kowashi Chûsa nisshi (Diary of Lieutenant Colonel Sanagi Kowashi).
45 Dai 25 Kôkû Sentai sentô shôhô (Detailed battle reports of the 25th Air Flotilla).
46 Yamada Sadayoshi, Yamada nisshi (Diary of Rear Admiral Yamada Sadayoshi).
47 Dai 25 Kôkû Sentai sentô shôhô (Detailed battle reports of the 25th Air Flotilla).
48 Dai 25 Kôkû Sentai senji nisshi (War diary of the 25th Air Flotilla).
49 Dai 25 Kôkû Sentai senji nisshi (War diary of the 25th Air Flotilla).
50 Frank Hough, Pearl Harbor to Guadalcanal, pp. 252–254.
51 Yamada Sadayoshi, Yamada nisshi (Diary of Rear Admiral Yamada Sadayoshi).
52 Yamada Sadayoshi, Yamada nisshi (Diary of Rear Admiral Yamada Sadayoshi).
53 Shibata Funzô, Shibata Funzô Chûsa no kaisô (Recollections of Commander Shibata Funzô).
54 Shibata Funzô, Shibata Funzô Chûsa no kaisô (Recollections of Commander Shibata Funzô).
55 Shibata Funzô, Shibata Funzô Chûsa no kaisô (Recollections of Commander Shibata Funzô).
56 Imoto Kumao, Imoto Kumao Chûsa nisshi (Diary of Lieutenant Colonel Imoto Kumao).
57 Tanaka Shin’ichi, Tanaka Shin’ichi Shôshô no nisshi ni motozuku shuki (Notes based on the diary of Major General Tanaka Shin’ichi).
58 Sanagi Kowashi, Sanagi Kowashi Chûsa nisshi (Diary of Lieutenant Colonel Sanagi Kowashi).
59 Tanaka Shin’ichi, Tanaka Shin’ichi Shôshô no nisshi ni motozuku shuki (Notes based on the diary of Major General Tanaka Shin’ichi).
60 Tanaka Shin’ichi, Tanaka Shin’ichi Shôshô no nisshi ni motozuku shuki (Notes based on the diary of Major General Tanaka Shin’ichi).
61 Sakusen kankei jûyô shorui tsuzuri (Important documents related to operations).
Translated by: Dr Steven Bullard
Original text: Bôeichô Bôei Kenshûjo Senshishitsu (ed), Senshi sôsho: Minami Taiheiyô Rikugun sakusen <1> Pôto Moresubi–Gashima shoko sakusen (War history series: South Pacific area army operations (1), Port Moresby–Guadalcanal first campaigns) (Tokyo: Asagumo Shinbunsha, 1968): 167–230.
Reference for this web page: http://ajrp.awm.gov.au/ajrp/ajrp2.nsf/translation/Chapter4?opendocument
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