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To: PeterPrinciple; Homer_J_Simpson
Operation Downfall had two components. Operation Olympic, set for November, was the invasion of Kyushu. The plan was to occupy the southern third of the island to provide airfields, logistics facilities and staging areas for the invasion of Honshu. Olympic was to have been staffed with troops already in the Pacific. There is some controversy what would have happened if Japan had not surrendered after the atomic bombs dropped. Intelligence is learning that the Japanese have correctly deduced that Kyushu is our next target and the Navy is becoming alarmed. The Japanese know our habit of never jumping farther than our land based air cover can extend. So, there might have been a rethink of that plan.

Coronet is the invasion of Honshu with landings near Tokyo. It was anticipated that the occupation of Tokyo and the Kanto Plain would force surrender, but if not there could have been further operations.

It is Coronet that the seven million man army will support. Those troops are almost all in transit or in training in the U.S. in July 1945. The 86th Division was the first to redeploy from Europe. They were slated for the Pacific and got amphibious training. When he Battle of the Bulge drove home the lack of a strategic reserve in Europe they were sent to the ETO. Because of their short time in combat in Europe and Pacific combat training, they were the first to go. According to Wiki they were in Phillipine waters when Japan surrendered.

Coronet was tentatively set for March 1, 1945, but obviously depended on progress in Olympic.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Downfall

51 posted on 07/27/2015 2:13:42 PM PDT by colorado tanker
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To: colorado tanker

Ooops, March 1, 1946.


52 posted on 07/27/2015 2:15:34 PM PDT by colorado tanker
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To: colorado tanker

Good informative post.


53 posted on 07/27/2015 5:12:23 PM PDT by EternalVigilance
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