http://marshallfoundation.org/library/digital-archive/to-general-of-the-army-douglas-macarthur-9/
General George C. Marshall To General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, May 4, 1945
Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press
Date: May 4, 1945
Subject: World War II
Collection: Papers of George Catlett Marshall, Volume 5: The Finest Soldier
Summary
To General of the Army Douglas MacArthur
May 4, 1945 Radio. Washington, D.C.
Top Secret
For MacArthur’s Eyes Only from Marshall.
After considering the messages concerning the progress being made in the reorganization in the Pacific, I believe that you personally should meet with Admiral Nimitz in the near future in a personal effort to resolve between yourselves the problems which have arisen rather than depending upon your respective staff officers. This seems particularly important since the JCS are considering the immediate issuance of a directive to execute OLYMPIC not later than 1 November.
Informal reports that come to me from various sources indicate so much of opposition and expression of strong feelings in staff meetings that situation should be gotten under firm control before great harm is done. I feel certain that you personally can handle the situation and avoid a breach that might well have tragic consequences.
Document Copy Text Source: George C. Marshall Papers, Pentagon Office Collection, Selected Materials, George C. Marshall Research Library, Lexington, Virginia.
Document Format: Typed radio message.
Recommended Citation: ThePapers of George Catlett Marshall, ed.Larry I. Bland and Sharon Ritenour Stevens(Lexington, Va.: The George C. Marshall Foundation, 1981- ). Electronic version based on The Papers of George Catlett Marshall, vol. 5, “The Finest Soldier,” January 1, 1945-January 7, 1947 (Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003), pp. 164-165.
Looks like a serious situation between the Army and Navy staffs over Olympic planning. The directive has been issued that MacArthur is overall ground forces commander in the Pacific and Nimitz overall naval forces commander. Double-headed leadership worked well while the two were pursuing their parallel strategies, but like Overlord, Olympic is eventually going to need an overall commander.