J. C. S. Files
Plan Prepared by the United States Joint Staff Planners 1
Attachment to C.C.S. 220
Strategic Plan for the Defeat of Japan
1. A brief discussion of a strategic plan for the defeat of Japan is contained in Enclosure “A”.
2. The plan is based on the following overall strategic concept for the prosecution of the war. [Page 290]
- a.
- In cooperation with Russia and other Allies to force an unconditional surrender of the Axis in Europe.
- b.
- Simultaneously, in cooperation with other Pacific Powers concerned, to maintain and extend unremitting pressure against Japan with the purpose of continually reducing her Military power and attaining positions from which her ultimate unconditional surrender can be forced.
- c.
- Upon the defeat of the Axis in Europe, in cooperation with other Pacific Powers and, if possible, with Russia, to direct the full resources of the United States and Great Britain to force the unconditional surrender of Japan. If, however, conditions develop which indicate that the war as a whole can be brought more quickly to a successful conclusion by the earlier mounting of a major offensive against Japan, the strategical concept set forth herein may be reversed.
3. In view of the long period covered and the inevitable changes in conditions that cannot be foreseen, it is not practicable to divide the plan into definitely coordinated phases. With this reservation in regard to timing and coordination, the plan is expressed as follows:
Phase I
- a.
- Continue and Augment Existing Undertakings in and From China.
- Chinese Forces assisted by U. S. Forces.
- b.
- Recapture Burma.
- British Forces assisted by U. S. and Chinese Forces.
- c.
- Open a Line of Communications to the Celebes Sea.
- United States Forces.
Phase II
- a.
- Operations To Open the Strait of Malacca and To Compel Wide Dispersion of Enemy Forces.
- British Forces.
- b.
- Recapture the Philippines.
- United States Forces.
- c.
- Prepare To Capture Hong Kong.
- Chinese Forces.
Phase III
- a.
- Continue Operations To Open the Strait of Malacca and To Compel Wide Dispersion of Enemy Forces.
- British Forces.
- b.
- Secure Control of the Northern Part of the South China Sea, and Assist in the Capture of Hong Kong.
- United States Forces.
- c.
- Capture Hong Kong.
- Chinese Forces.
Phase IV
- Establish Air Bases in Japanese Occupied China From Which To Launch an Overwhelming Bombing Offensive Against Japan.
- Chinese Forces, assisted by British and U. S. Forces.
Phase V
- Conduct an Overwhelming Air Offensive Against Japan.
- U. S. Forces, assisted by British and Chinese Forces.
Phase VI
- Invade Japan.
- U. S. Forces, assisted by British and Chinese Forces.
- Circulated to the Combined Chiefs of Staff on May 19, 1943, under cover of a memorandum by the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff reading as follows: “The attached strategic plan, prepared by the United States Joint Staff Planners, meets with the approval of the United States Chiefs of Staff and is submitted to the Combined Chiefs of Staff for consideration.” This plan was discussed by the Combined Chiefs of Staff at their meeting on the morning of May 20, 1943, and it was accepted as a basis for a combined study and elaboration for future plans; see ante, p. 126.↩
- Enclosure “A” begins with paragraph 4.↩