Observer's Report - Okinawa Operation
Abstract
In compliance with letter, War Department, 15 February 1945, file AGPO-A-210.482 (12 February 1945), the undersigned, together with Colonel James H. Howe, Lt. Colonel Walter J. Preston, Lt. Colonel Homer Trimble, and Lt. Colonel Robert C. Williams, Jr., all from Army Ground Forces, departed from Washington, DC 23 February 1945, and reported to the Commander in Chief, Navy on 26 February for temporary duty as observers. Pursuant to 1st endorsement, on above stated War Department letter, dated 27 February 1945 from Commander in Chief, Navy, all officers mentioned in paragraph 1 were attached to XXIV Corps for temporary duty in connection with the Okinawa Operation. By verbal agreement between observers, it was decided that each officer would cover certain activities and thus have a complete coverage without duplication. Accordingly, the following subdivisions were made showing what each officer would report on: Colonel W. N. Todd, Jr. - Staff functions, G-1 and G-2 sections; Colonel James H. Howe - Amphibious operations; Lt. Colonel Walter J. Preston - Artillery and equipment; Lt. Colonel Homer Trimble - Engineers, G-4 Section and Special Staff; and Lt. Colonel Robert C. Williams, Jr. - Overall operations and G-3 section. Based on the above plan, this report will cover only Staff functions and the G-1 and G-2 sections. This report covers the operation of the XXIV Corps, the 7th and 96th Divisions, while under combat conditions on the target area from 1 April to 13 April 1945 and a conference with the 77th Division prior to departure for the target area on 8 March 1945. The report includes data collected on staff utilization, training, organization, equipment, supply, interrogation methods and questions, and an interrogation report form. Particular attention is given to infantry matters. It is based on interviews with officers and enlisted men of all units in XXIV Corps, both while the Corps was at Leyte and Okinawa as well as personal observations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1945
- Accession Number
- ADA438976
Entities
People
- W. N. Todd Jr