Mission Orders

// SECRET //

TO: Submarine Division Commanders SubPacFlt, SubSoWesPac

FROM: ComSubPac

DATE: June 1945

SUBJECT: Mission Orders (Cycle 15 September 2004)

RMKS: 1 Following the successful, though costly, occupation of Iwo Jima, the invasion of Okinawa has taken place successfully although the fighting still continues on the island. All the enemy’s remaining major surface forces are either on the bottom, crippled beyond immediate repair, or bottled up in the home islands. Their Kamikazes, however, have been deadly and USN casualty rates have never been higher, though relatively few of our ships have been sunk by them. The invasion of Japan proper is still expected for early 1946.

RMKS: 2 The penetration of the Sea of Japan was very successful, netting over 90,000 tons sunk. SubPacFlt will continue to hit this soft underbelly of Japan’s shipping by penetrating the area again this cycle. ONI believes that Japan’s oil reserves are almost depleted, therefore TANKERS AND AUXILIARIES are to be considered top priority targets.

RMKS: 3 Admiral Halsey, commanding Third Fleet, will depart Leyte Gulf for a series of air and sea attacks on Japan. In a joint effort between Task Forces 38 and 28, British warships will bombard Japan’s major cities along the coast. All boats in the area will conduct an Anti-Picket sweep in front of the Task Force and also give Lifeguard support for its aviators. ALL commanders are to be on alert for accidental attacks by friendly forces. Use of proper recognition signals is essential.

RMKS: 4 As you may have heard rumor of, the hospital ship Awa Maru was sunk by one of our submarines despite warnings by ComSubPac. The responsible skipper has been ordered to Pearl Harbor to stand Court-Martial.

RMKS: 5 Construction of the new submarine base at Subic Bay, Luzon, P.I., is behind schedule due to heavy rains; it should be completed by the end of June or mid July.

RMKS: 6 A new ‘TOP SECRET’ weapon is being tested and will be used against Japan shortly. All boats are instructed to clear the coastal areas by 1 August. No further information is available at this time.

RMKS: 8 SubRons / Submarine Divisions are assigned to the following areas of operation:

(.......  SUBRON1 / SUBDIV7A: Southern Japan and Sulu Sea   ...)

RMKS: 9 All Submarine Division commanders are to reminded to inform their individual commanders as to what ships are on their ‘Warship Restriction List' . Any sinking claimed that is on the WRL will not be credited!

Good Luck and Good Hunting

Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood

Commanding SubPacFlt