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South West Pacific Area

MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SECTION, GENERAL STAFF

MONTHLY SUMMARY OF ENEMY DISPOSITIONS GROUND AIR NAVY

NO, 18 date: 30 April 1944

CONTENTS

IGENERAL PACIFIC AREA

Ground 1 Table: Enemy Order of Battle 2 Map Enemy Ground Dispositions Air 3 Map Enemy Air Order of Battle 4 Map Enemy Air Dispositions Naval 5 Map Enemy Naval Bases & Base Forces 6 Map Enemy Naval Dispositions 7 Map Enemy Shipping Routes

II SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA

Ground 8 Table: Enemy Order of Battle 9 Map Enemy Dispositions & Command Boundaries Air 10 Map Enemy Air Bases 11 Map Enemy Air Order of Battle

111 NORTH EASTERN SECTOR, SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA

Ground 12 Table: Enemy Order of Battle 13 Map Enemy Ground Dispositions, General 14 Map Enemy Ground Dispositions, NE New Guinea Air 15 Map Enemy Air Bases, Dispositions & Order of Battle Naval 16 Map Cumulative Barge Sightings

IV NORTH WESTERN SECTOR, SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA

Ground 17 Table: Enemy Order of Battle 18 Map Enemy Ground Dispositions 19 Map Enemy Dispositions, North West New Guinea Air 20 Map Enemy Air Bases 21 Map Enemy Air Order of Battle Naval 22 Map : Enemy Naval Bases, Base Forces & Dispositions 23 Chart: Enemy Merchant Shipping

V MISCELLANEOUS

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DIVISIONS 1 INDIND SPECSPEC 1 ©© rCONV" BORDERBORDER GARRIGARRI NAVALNAVAL TOTALTOTAL LOCATION ARMIESARMIES 3 REGT IND INF 6,7 or TOTAL MIXEDMIXED CAYCAY TANK GARRI-GARRI- SONSON LANDINGLANDING STRENGTH LOCATION DIVS. bsoyps.bsoyps. 8 BNS IDIVS BRIGS.BRIGS. BRIGS.BRIGS. RESTS, SONSSONS UNITSUNITS PARTIESPARTIES (APPROX)(APPROX) KarafutoKarafuto 10,00010,000 SAKHALIN SAKHALIN M Brigs. SAKHALIN KURILES KURILES 30,00030,000 KURILESKURILES

Ist Gds 6464 785,000785,000 JAPANJAPAN 7, 42, 43, SEVENSEVEN 16,19 16,19 JAPANJAPAN 47, 53 1u/i 19, KOREA KOREA 30 TWO TWO 100,000100,000 KOREAKOREA 1. 8, 9, 8,9, 3,5,6?3,5,6? 3rd, 4th 10, 11, 12, 9, 10? 1. 2. Si 1-131-13 MANCHURIA MANCHURIA sth, 6th 23, 24, 25,24,25, THIR-THIR- 3rd3rd 11?18?11?18? INCL.INCL. 4, 5, 6j 785,000785,000 20th20th 28, 28, 29, 57, TEEN TEEN 24,24, 7. 8, 9,| 7171 4 u/i

1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4, 400,000400,000 NORTH CHINA NORTH CHINA IstIst 26, 27, 32, 59,62?59,62? 5,6,7,8,5,6,7,8, IstIst 1212 63?, TEN'TEN' 12th12th 35, 37,35, 37, 110 69 9,159,15 4th4th

3,13,22,34,3,13,22,34, 58,60,58,60, FOUR­FOUR­ 13,13, 375,000375,000 CENTRALCENTRAL 11th11th 39,40.61,39,40.61, 64,65?64,65? 12,12, CENTRALCENTRAL CHINACHINA TEENTEEN CHINACHINA 13th13th 116116 68,7068,70 1717

SOUTHSOUTH CHINACHINA 23rd23rd 104104 ONEONE 19,2319,23 60,00060,000 SOUTHSOUTH CHINACHINA FORMOSAFORMOSA MI.SBMI.SB 75,00075,000 FORMOSAFORMOSA HAINANHAINAN 22?22? Y4Y4 15,00015,000 HAINANHAINAN 2ndAREA?2ndAREA? 14?14? 1616 ONEONE 30?30? 31?31? .0,11,17.0,11,17 SISI 100,900100,900 PHILIPPINES 14th14th 32?32? 33?33? PHILIPPINES

FRENCHFRENCH INDOINDO PICGAPICGA 2121 ONEONE 12?12? 40,000.40,000. FRENCHFRENCH INDOINDO CHINACHINA CHINACHINA THAILAND TGATGA 35,00035,000 THAILAND

BURMABURMA BURMABURMA ,, 2,2, 15.15. BURMABURMA AREA,AREA, 18,18, 31,31, 33,33, EIGHTEIGHT 1414 15?15? 220,000220,000 15,2815,28 54,54,55,55, 5656 MALAYAMALAYA 16?1816?18 K8K8 .80,000.80,000 MALAYAMALAYA

BORNEOBORNEO 7,0007,000 BORNEOBORNEO

SUMATRASUMATRA 25th25th 2nd2nd Gds,Gds, 44 II TWOTWO 4?4? 86,00086,000 SUMATRASUMATRA

JAVAJAVA 16th16th 46,46,(E1)(E1) ONEONE 2?2? 1313,,14?14? 35,00035,000 JAVAJAVA CELEBESCELEBES 7,0007,000 CELEBESCELEBES

D.D. NEWNEW GUINEAGUINEA 2nd?2nd? 3(E1)?14(E1 D.D.NEWNEW GUINEiGUINEi SOEMBASOEMBA 55 POUR'POUR' XlXl 90,00090,000 SOEMBASOEMBA TIMORTIMOR 19th19th 36,36, 4848 TIMORTIMOR HALMAHERA 4646 (El)?(El)? HALMAHERA ®® NEWNEW BRITAINBRITAIN BthBth 17,17, 6565 TWOTWO 60,00060,000 NEWNEW BRITAINBRITAIN AREA.AREA. 3838 K6.Y3.7K6.Y3.7 IRELANDIRELAND NEWNEW IRELANDIRELAND BrigBrig NEWNEW SOLOMONS 17th17th 1717 (El),(El), 66 ONEONE K7,K7, S6S6 20,00020,000 SOLOMONS BRITISHBRITISH 20,20, 41,41, BRITISHBRITISH NEWNEW GUINEAGUINEA 18th18th THREETHREE MM2,2, S5S5 60,00060,000 NEWNEW GUINEAGUINEA ADMIRALTY IS.IS. 5151 (Remn)(Remn) ADMIRALTYIS.IS. MANDATED S2S2 MANDATED 5252 ONEONE ElEl Y1.2Y1.2 25,00025,000 ISLANDSISLANDS 1616 K2,4K2,4 ISLANDSISLANDS 10+10+ 171+171+ TOTALSTOTALS 6060 ©© 11BrigBrig tttt BrigBrig 2121 2222 1313 1818 3,500,0003,500,000 TOTALSTOTALS

STIMATEDID OPERATOPERATIONALTIONAL STREW6THS8 8STREN6THS KEYKEYKEY TOTOTO SNIP'SSNIP'SSNIP'SSNIP'S NOTESNOTES

16,00016,000 (T)- Existence of 44 Division believed probable; Tri Div. 45, 49 50 possible. XX "" existence of and Divisions X.1.1.G.X.1.1.G. 13,000 13,000 KureKure possibly 12,50012,500 - (§)- 122 Inf inMarshalls. 142 Inf still X.1.M.8.X.1.M.8. M MaizuruMaizuru in pi< Both droppe

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The enemy's air center of gravity is moving to the north west. His Army and Navy air forces are amalgamating in the face of a direct threat to the Philippines from Hollandia and the Central Pacific. The Fourth Air Army and the 23d Naval Air Flotilla con­ tinue to.be charged with the mission of air defense against S.W.P.A. forces. Our Aitape-Hollandia seizure revealed an attempt to inter­ vene by a mobile Naval Air Task Force organized by the First Naval Air Fleet. (Headquarters at Truk) This Task Force probably con­ sisted of bomber, fighter and reconnaissance groups stripped for tactical employment and mustered from Micronesia, the Philippines and Malaya. Significant enemy air order of battle changes occurring during the month are, a) Bismarcks -Solomons Sectors Only one Army squadron of the 10th Air Regiment (18 reconnaissance aircraft) is now carried at Rabaul, Elements of the 251 Naval Air Group (18 fighters) have joined the two reconnaissance Naval Air Groups (total of 36 floatplanes) remaining at Rabaul. (See Encl. No. 15) b) Philippines-Netherlands East Indies-New Guinea Sectors The 38th Ariry Air Regiment of the Fourth Air Army (9 bombers) has been transferred to the Empire on the basis of intelligence revealing non-arrival in the Philippines. Elements of another of the Fourth Air Army's Reg­ iments, the 58th, (9 bombers) and the 50th Independent Army Squadron (9 reconnaissance aircraft) have been withdrawn by the enemy from this sector to Burma and Manchuria, respectively. Reflecting the enemy 's air reaction to our Aitape and Hollandia seizures, two Naval Air Groups (total 36 bombers, 36 fighters) and elements of five others (probably 50 bombers, 18 fighters and 9 reconnaissance aircraft) were ordered to assemble in the Philippines -Netherlands East Indies-New Guinea sector, principally from Micronesia, with one unit each from Malaya and the Empire,.

- 1# kll

JAPANESE ARMY AIR ORDER OF BATTLE k*»w- •* ' 3Q"A|njh 19/^ Initial Establishment

Trans- Units lation Fs Bs Rs iTtl Location FIRST Koku-gun Air Army- Japan* Ist Hiko-shidan Air Div Japan ! 17 Hiko-dan Air Brig ! Japan (?) 18 Japan (?) 19 Japan 20 Japan (?) 25 Japan (?) Ist Hiko-sentai Air Regt 1 27 II127 | Japan (?) 2d |27 | 127 | Japan 3d |27 I !27 | Japan 4th I 27 I I j27 | Japan 7th 27 | ;27 | Japan 24th I 27 I I |27 I Japan (?) 38th | 27 I |27 | Japan (?) 54th t 27 I I 127 IJapan 59th I 27 | I |27 | Japan 66th |27 | 127 | Japan (?) 67th 127 i I27. I Japan (?) 98th 127|27 I !27127 |Japan (?) 244th i ! 27 | | |27 IJapan 246th i ! 27 27 j Japan SECOND Koku-gun i Air Army Manchuria* 2d Hiko-shidan Air Div Manchuria 4th Manchuria 2 Hiko-dan Air Brig Manchuria 5 ! Manchuria (?) Manchuria (?) 6 | 10 i Manchuria (?) 6th Hiko-sentai t Air Regt 27 ! 127 IManchuria 9th 1 27 ! i |27 !Manchuria 27th ! 127 I 127 !Manchuria | (?) 28th (-) 1 18 18 IManchuria 31st i 27 I 127 iManchuria (?) \u25a0 | (?) 32d 1! 27 ! 127 IManchuria 65th 1271 27 I 127 IManchuria i (?) 74th i 27 I !27 I Manchuria 27 Manchuria (?) 83d i 127 I 90th (-) j9 | | 97 ! Manchuria |27 95th i 1 27 I 1 1 Manchuria (?) 50 Dokuritsu Chutai Ind Sq I 19 i 9 !Manchuria (?) 81 9 I 9 !Manchuria ( ? ) FIFTH Koku-gun Air Army China* 3d Hiko-shidan Air Div China Bth i China (?) 1Hiko-dan Air Brig China 12 China 13 China (?) 11th Hiko-sentai Air Regt I 27 I j 1 27 IChina 16th 1271 27 i 127 iChina 25th I 27 ! ! 127 IChina i |27 . ,:*27 (China 44th - ! _- , I (?) 70th m\ r " * !27 ! ' i2? China 85th I||L J : 127 i .;2J IChinaChina r :" 87th !iyf £ -ttti££.u­ L.^*f IChina

-\u25a01 - "*"\u25a0 ( Trans­ Units lation |FslFs I Bs Rs Ttl ILocation 4 T 90th (-) Hiko-sentai Air Regt { I18 18 China 21 Dokuritsu Hikotai Ind Unit 9 9 [China (?) 18 Dokuritsu Chutai Ind Sq 9 9 I!China.

54 j 9 9 !China 55 i 9 9 China i i THIRD Koku-gun Air Army i Burma* sth Hiko-shidan Air Div ! Burma 9th Burma 4 Hiko-dan Air Brig Burma 7 Burma Bth Hiko-sentai Air Regt | 27 9 36 Burma 12th !27 27 Burma 21st 27 27 Burma 26th 9 I18 27 Burma (?) 50th 27 27 !Burma 58th 27 27 IBurma 62d 27 27 Burma 64th 27 27 ] Burma 81st 9 9 18 Burma 82d 27 27 Burma (?) 204thv 27 1 27 Burma 83 Dokuritsu Hikotai Ind Unit 9 9 Burma 24 Dokuritsu Chutai Ind Sq 9 9 Burma (?) 71 9 9 Burma (?) 74 9 9 Burma (?) 39 9 9 Burma 91 9 9 Burma FOURTH Koku-gun Air Army­ | PI-NEI-NG 6th Hiko-shidan Air Div IPI-NEI-NG L-­ 7th i 1 IPI-NEI-NG 3 Hiko-dan Air Brig | PI-NEI-NG 8 PI-NEI-NG 9 PI-NEI-NG 14 PI-NEI-NG 22 PI-NEI-NG Kyodo IPI-NEI-NG sth Hiko-sentai Air Regt | 27 j 27 PI-NEI-NG 10th (-) 9 9 IPI-NEI-NG 13th 36) 36 PI-NEI-NG 14th 27 27 PI-NEI-NG 28th (-) 9 9 IPI-NEI-NG 33d y 27 27 IPI-NEI-NG 34th 27 27 PI-NEI-NG 45th "" 27 27 PI-NEI-NG 60th 27 27 PI-NEI-NG 61st I 27 27 IPI-NEI-NG 63d 27! 27 IPI-NEI-NG 68th •/ 27 27 !PI-NEI-NGDT ATTPT MH 75th v­ 27 27 IPI-NEI-NGPI-NEI-NG 77th 27! 27 PI-NEI-NG 78th/ I 27 27! PI-NEI-NG 208th I 27 27 !PI-NEI-NG v 248th > 27 27! PI-NEI-NG 20 Dokuritsu Chutai Ind Sq 9 9| PI-NEI-NG 52 9 9 I PI-NEI-NG 70 9 9 PI-NEI-NG

73 9 9!IiPI-NEI-NG 83 9 9 PI-NEI-NG 93 r 9 9 PI-NEI-NG 1Koku Shashin Tai Photo UnJ 9 91 PI-NEI-NG 1 * *'¥% T i | Trans- I i ! Units I lation Fs j Bs JRsjRs Ttl Location 10thith (-) Hiko-sentai Air Regt j 9 9 Bisniarcks ' | Solomons*Solomons* 76 Dokuritsu Chutai Ind Sq | 9 9 ! Unlocated i : j *Note: 1) Japan includes Kuriles, Bonins, Pescadores and Marcus. 2) Manchuria includes Korea and North China. 3) China includes Central and South China, Hainan, Formosa, and North Indo-China (N of 15° N). 4) Burma includes Siam, Malaya, Sumatra and South Indo-China. 5) Philippines-NEI (Excluding Sumatra), New Guinea, 6) Bismarcks, Solomons. (?) Denotes location of unit is doubtful.

-3 ~ Iff""!*f\ i**"*\u25a0»"\u25a0» p^BBBB^ 4 » *JL«i&L_ sJAPAKSSB UiVAIAIR ORDER OF BATTLE

Initial Establishment .J__..,..«...|...... M™p-...»™»^.. T T I } Trans- ! I Units lation 1 Fs | Bs [ Rs l Ttl| Location .L~,.,..»....i., \u0084.....__.i...... u...».i, »£•< ! i ! i ! 12th Koku-kantai Fleet ! Japan Air \ I 27th Koku-sentai Air Flot f i \ Japan \ n Koku-tai Air Group ? 9 Japan 105th 9 I 1i 203 6 i 63 I Japan 221 36?i 36 i Japan 265 36 1 I 36! Japan (?) 302 54 ! 541 Japan 341 36| 361 Japan 345 361 | 36! Japan

435 ! i 1 13 IBI Japan 452 I 130 30 1 Japan 453 i i24 1 24! Japan Japan 502 I 54 I 9 63!5

' Japan 521 t 45! I45 1\ 553 i 79 i 721 Japan 652 45! 54 99 I Japan 701 24 241 Japan 705 54! 54 1 Japan 752 I 7? I 72 1 Japan 762 136 36[ Japan 906 36 .! | 36| Japan (?) Japan 931 136! 36!i 951 | 1 lIS 18 Japan (?) Bako ! 91 9i Japan Bihoro 136 j 36 | Japan Chichi jima I 9|l2i 21! Japan Izumi ! 9 !I Ji 91 Japan Komatsujima ! 6 6! Japan Kowa |11! 11) Japan Kure 12 j ] 12 ! 24 i Japan j 6| Japan Maizuru •: | I 6 Miyazake 27! 27 I Japan Oi i 160 I| |I 60 ! Japan Ominato I 1161I 16 I 16! Japan Sasebo (-) 15 |5| 20 i Japan Tateyama 1I 18 |18 1 36) Japan Tokashima 61 6! Japan Yokosuka (-) 45 42 125! Japan j 1 j33 j Chinkai Koku-tai Air Group | 12 | 8| 20 1 Manchuria* Gunzan » j 9 i 91 Manchuria I 1} I 254 Koku-tai Air Group 36| | 36! China* 256 27! I 27 1 China Hoihow 27! 36 1! I 63| China Sama ! 27) It 27! China Sasebo (-) ! 22! 22! China Shanghai I 9! I 9| China Tainan I 9; I 91 China Takao 9! China Takao Gd. District 12'I Ij 12! China 1I ; i I { i { Burma* 13th Koku-kantai Air Fleet ! ! 28th Koku-sentai Air Flot ! Burma (?) ! I I Burma 601** Koku-tai Air Group 81 135 ! 9 I 225 ! Burma

& W Ttl Location

36 Burma 9 Burma 32 iBurma 23d Koku-sentai PI-NEI-NG* 9 PI-NEI-NG 36 PI-NEI-NG 36 PI-NEI-NG 27 PI-NEI-NG 81 PI-NEI-NG 27 PI-NEI-NG 36 PI-NEI-NG 36 PI-NEI-NG 36 PI-NEI-NG 9 PI-NEI-NG 6 PI-NEI-NG 18 PI-NEI-NG 30 PI-NEI-NG 4 PI-NEI-NG 33 PI-NEI-NG 9 Bismarck­ Solomons* 18 j Bismarck­ | Solomons* 18 IBismarck- Solomons*

Ist Koku-kantai Air Fleet !Micronesia* 11th Micronesia 14th Micronesia 21st Koku-sentai Air Flot Micronesia (?) 22 j Micronesia 25 IMicronesia (?) 26 Micronesia 51 Micronesia 61 Micronesia 62 Micronesia 9 9 Micronesia 151 9 9 Micronesia 132 9 9 Micronesia (?) 201 45 45 Micronesia

202 63 63 i Micronesia 251 (-) 9 9! Micronesia 252 I 36 36! Micronesia 253 45 45!i Micronesia 261 (-) 18 18! Micronesia 263 45 451 Micronesia 301 63 63 ! Micronesia 321 9 9 Micronesia 331 36 36 1 Micronesia 343 36 36 Micronesia 501 (-) 9 91 Micronesia 503 27 271 Micronesia 523 36 36 Micronesia 531 36 36 Micronesia 551 36 36 MicronesiaMicronesia 552 36 36! Micronesia 632 63 63 Micronesia 751 (-) 18 18 Micronesia ~ • ' Micronesia W, Fv, r, i * 145| 45! fi a* t0

> ' "^"^ Vs \u25a0* *"^" ** \u25a0­ •"\u25a0"*\u25a0 g, 3! ,a,a r» 1!!*m\u25a0B^H --••--•• |(I|H«WIHHt«^IHIIMuNH«tI«IMMMIIItH>I l\1 1 •\u25a0•«\u25a0\u25a0-\u25a0\u25a0•••>"• jj jj UnitsUnits [ lation I Fs Bs j| Rs Ttl||Location „„__...„ „«„ ii LL »«^... ,«^»..-««^. jj h—i 761 (-) Koku-tai Air Group 99 99 |Micronesia 801801 118 : 18 IjMicronesia 802802 I12 1212 MicronesiaMicronesia 902902 148148 4848 MicronesiaMicronesia 952952 !12!12 1212 Micronesia*­ Yokosuka Det. 1818 I 18 MicronesiaMicronesia II . CARRIERS i i 11 Zuikaku*-*Zuikaku*-* 2727 45 72 72 Shokaku^^ 2727 45 72 72 Hiyo (Hitaka)** | 2727 2727 54 54 Junyo (Hayataka)^* | 2727 27 54 54 Ryuho-^Hf | 2727 9 36 36 Zuiho^ | 2121 99 30 ! ! Chitose*** I 2121 99 30 I I Chiyoda-^- . 2121 99 30 I I HoshoHosho 1212 2424 36 36 Taiyo (Otaka) | 99 2727 36 36 i i Unryu^H'-Unryu^H'- jj !! UnyoUnyo 99 2727 36 ! ! Taiho*** Taiho*** Kaiyo-'«'--­ Kaiyo-'«'--­ Jinyo^HfJinyo^Hf | | ii ! i! !i! *Note: 1) Japan includes Xiiriles, Bonins, Pescadore,Pescadore, i and ] ilarcusilarcus.. 2) Manchuria include >s Korea, North China, China, 3) China includes C< sntral & South China, Haii ian, F- Drmosa, Drmosa, North Indo-China (N of 15° N).. 4) Burma includes Siam, Malaya, Sumatra and South Indo-China. 5) Philippines-NEI (Excluding Sumatra), New Guinea. 6) Bismarcks, Solomons. 7) Micronesia. **Note: Possibly Car Div 1airplanes shore-based. If so, establish­ ment included twice.

#*tfqjote: No known a/ps assigned.

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- 6 ­

(To Accompany Ercl U) |Ir•\u25a0 -^ »> r* ••' .

Thec enemy's air strength in S.W.P.A. continues to de­ cline. Our Aitape-Hollandia seizures have forced the withdrawal of the enemy's remaining air mass to the west through the isolation and consequent neutralization of his remaining Eastern New Guinea, Bis­ marcks and Solomons air centers* Last mont#, estimated enemy air strength in Eastern New Guinea, the Bismarcks and the Solomons was estimated at 231 combat aircraft of all types. This strength has now withdrawn to the Philippines -Netherlands East Indies-New Guinea sector (westward from Wakde, inclusive), with Bismarcks-Solomons sector enemy air strength currently appraised at. 23 aircraft, including 15 reconnaissance types. These aircraft have been used only for reconnaissance and adminis­ trative purposes. Currently appraised enemy air strength in the Philippines- Netherlands East Indies-New Guinea sector has increased numerically, now comprising 600 combat aircraft of all types compared with 549 aircraft last month when the enemy's Eastern New Guinea air strength was not included in this sector. Through the first seven days of our Aitape-Hollandia operations, the enemy's battered Army Air Service remnants tlis» played no capability of even a limited degree of air defense. The enemy's Naval air arm then entered Western New Guinea in a defensive role, probably to attempt prevention of an Allied exploitation to the west of the Aitape-Hollandia successes. Attrition of enemy air strength in other theaters should continue to prevent a marshalling of enemy Army-Navy air strength capable of stopping cur further forward movements, or of preventing consolidation of our gains, and reinforcement of our amphibious forces on their objectives. A continued strategic air withdrawal may be expected as our bomber line advances. This willpermit the enemy to conserve his air strength by a) rebuilding his air order of battle beyond fully effective Allied counter air force range and, b) refusing air combat other than on his own terms or against favorable Allied targets of opportunity. The maintenance of this air strength in being willcontinue to affect our operations by enforcing extensive active and passive air defense measures, particularly during forward movement and at our forward installations.

§*^$mkmm^^" " (To Accompany Encl 5) fi I^s (p fa !?»^B |f[Ml,

Enemy Naval Bases and BaseT'orces; As a result of the Allied occupation of Hollandia, Aitape, and Madang enemy Base Forces #7 and #2, which were located at Madang and Hollandia respectively, can no longer be considered to exist. While Base Force #7 was no doubt shifted back toward Wewak, as the Allied Forces advanced on Madang, it cannot be classed as an effective unit. Base Force #2 is believed to have been completely disorganized as a result of the Allied occupation of Hollandia. Considerable activity was noted in the Tawi Tawi area during the month, and it is believed very probable that the enemy has developed an Advanced Naval Base in that locality, £uch a base is indicated on the attached map. The Naval Bases at Ponape, Truk, and Woleai were severely pounded by Allied aircraft during April and as a result, Ponape and Woleai can no longer be classed as Advanced Naval Bases. Truk, which only a few months ago was considered to be the largest and best de­ fended enemy Naval Base in the entire Pacific area, must now be classed as only an Advanced Naval Base. Aircraft willnc doubt continue to operate from the three above mentioned atolls, and it is believed that submarines will continue to operate from Truk. How­ ever, it is very improbable that the enemy willagain send merchant vessels or warships of any size to this area, As a result of the decline of his Caroline Bases, the enemy is believed to have further developed his facilities at Saipan and Davao, Therefore those bases, which heretofore have been regarded as Advanced Naval Bases, are now classed as Secondary Naval Bases, There is no information available regarding any signific­ ant changes in the status of other Naval Base Forces or Naval Bases.

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(To Accompany End 6

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Allied Carrier Task Force strike on the enemy base at Palau on 30 March resulted in considerable change in enemy fleet dispositions. It appears that the first enemy reaction to the Allied strike was the withdrawal of almost all of his fleet units, except submarines, from the Central Pacific area, and as of 30 April it is estimated that there were probably not more than 2 light cruisers, possibly 12-14- destroyers and perhaps as many as 35 submarines operating in the entire Central Pacific area. Many of the above mentioned sub­ marines were being employed in transportation and supply runs to the isolated enemy garrisons in the Marshalls and in the Bismarck-Solomon area and, as a result, their offensive striking power was consider­ ably reduced. The heavy fleet units, which were based in the Palau- Truk area prior to the Allied attack on Palau, are believed to have proceeded to the Singapore area where the enemy is apparently con­ ducting training exercises with the major portion of his fleet. It was thought that this fleet would proceed to the Southern Philip­ pines sometime during April so as to be in a more favorable posit­ ion to counter future Allied moves in the Pacific, bit apparently the strike on Sabang by the British Indian Ocean Fleet caused the enemy to retain these units in the Singapore area until he could determine what further action was to be taken by the British Fleet. Fleet dispositions in the North Eastern Area and in the South Eastern Area have remained practically unchanged. The North Eastern Area Fleet may have been strengthened to the extent of having one additional heavy cruiser assigned, and in the South Eastern Area the 4-th Southern Expeditionary Fleet may have teen increased by two or three destroyers. At the present time the strength of the eneny fleet is considered to be greater than it has been at any time since just before the Battle of Midway. Many of his major combat vessels have recently been in drydock where they were refitted and modern­ ized. Several of his carriers, which for a long period of time were employed in ferrying aircraft to his advanced bases, are now be­ lieved to be ready to again join the fleet with well trained carrier groups aboard. Itis considered quite possible that those warships now concentrated in Singapore will, as a result of the Allied ad­ vances in New Guinea and in the Central Pacific, proceed to, and base in, Southern Philippine waters sometime in May.

(To Accompany End 7

W *^ & ii SHINING ROUTES 114 *-' l*m The principal changes in Japanese merchant shipping routes noted during the past month are; a) Elimination of. traffic from Palau to Hollandia and Wewak. b) Addition of light traffic from Manokwari to Sarmi and Wakde via Japen Id. c) Establishment of a new route from Tarakan to Ealikpapan and two from Tarakan to Manila, one via Tawi-Tawi and the other via Basilan Strait, d) Establishment of a route from Miri (NW Borneo) to Manila. c) Establishment of an inter-island route from Manila to Davao via Cebu and Surigao Straits. f) Establishment of a light traffic route from Saigon to the Empire via Sama (Hainan).

The following routes are shown on the accompanying map in their relative importance:- 1. Saigon - Empire (via Sama) 2. Singapore - Empire (via Saigon) 3. Singapore Empire 4. Singapore - Empire (via Manila) 5. Singapore - Davao 6. Singapore - Manila (via Miri) 7. Singapore Batavia 8. Batavia Padang 9. Singapore - Balikpapan 10. Batavia -- Soerabal^Soerabajs (via Semarang) 11. Soerabeja Koepang 12; Soerabaja - Balikpapan 13. Soerabaja - Balikpapan (via Macassar) 14. Balikpapan Palau 15. Macassar - Ambon (via Kendari) 16. Balikpapan - Tarakan 17. Tarakan - Manila (via Tawi-Tawi) 18. Tarakan - Manila (Inter-island) 19. Tarakan - Davao 20. Manila Davao 21. Inter-Island routes 22. Manila -- PalPalau 23. Davao Benado 24.. Davao Ilalmnhera 25; Davao • Palau 26. Halmahera Ambon 27. Halmahera Ambon 28. Halmahera Manokwari 29. Halmahera- MacCluer- Gulf 30. Ambon Kaimana- Tanimbar­ 31. Manokwari Sarmi- Wakde Id, 32. Empire - Palau 33. Palau - Saipan (via Guam) 34. Palau Truk 35. Empire Saipan 36, Saipan -• Truk 37. Guam Truk 38. Empire - Truk

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ENEMY ORDER OF BATTLE, SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA 30 APRIL 1944 £"*>"f% «, «

IMPERIAL GHi

SOUTHERN EXPED FORCE

XVI XVI

rarrar TT

EIGHTH AREA

XXX XXX XVII XVII _ X XXXX X X XX X X_ I>

SECOND AREA

XVIII XVIII II II

X X X XXX X XXX XXXX XX_ XX XX XX XI20 £11X132: £lXl3s?^^<3?

XIV XIV

XX XX XX,XX, XX XX Gar Tps Gar Gar 6<\u66<\u6

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- H^nxkictO By OCE GHO

(To Accompany Encl 10

Our j|©JLfure of? the' Hollandia A|ip.rcDm| and its satellites, Cyclops, Sentar^J |r^^T.ami. ianc|/the captur^f^ Australian forces of the Madang and Alexishafefi fer?ifes %es^ 2)eft i^iiJnemy tut six air centers in New Guinea; These, with their satellites, are as follows s (See also Ends. 15 and 20). Wakde Island Air Center 7vTakde Sawar (Formerly known as Sirmi Iand II). Maffin (Under construction) Biak Island Air Center Sorido ) Bcrokoe) New designations; formerly knovjn as Sorido I,11, 111. Mokmer )

Noemfoor Island Air Center Kamiri Namber

Manokwari Air Center Manokwari Ransiki Moemi Vferen

Sorong Air Center Jefman Island Senate BabpAir Center Babo Nabire Mangosah (Formerly known as Cape Tanahmerah) Sagan (Formerly known as Sagan I) Otawiri (Formerly knwon as Sagan II) Utarom Timoeka

These six air centers afford the enemy facilities for the dispersion of approximately 395 bombers and 403 fighters. However, our increasing use of Hollandia as an Allied air center, conjoined with Allied counter air force action from Darwin, willprobably result in declining employment of these facilities by the enemy. The mass of his air strength willprobably then be withdrawn to airdromes along the line Ceram-Halmahera-Southern Philippines -Western Carolines. Conclusions; Full enemy use of his Western New Guinea air­ dromes willprobably be arrested by our advancing bomber line and accompanying counter air force action.

f^'\ y ,

(To. Accompany End 12)

\]&i*mt9tim!h?imm<*Em ECTOR, S.W.P.A 30 April 1944 a) Hq at Tokyo. Document indicates Bth Area Army directly respon­ sible to Imperial G.H.Q. b) Hq Rabaul. C/G General Hitoshi IMAMURA. In charge NE Sector, E of 147°. Controls 17th Army. Directly under Imperial G.H.Q. Code GO 7960. c) Hq at Davao. Commands 2nd, 18th and 19th Armies. Code TERU. d) Hq Bum? or Buka. C/G Haruyoshi HYAKUTAKE. Charged operations Bougainville area. Code OKI 9811, c) C/G Lt. Gen. Masatane KANDA, Part 13th Inf lost New Georgia area, but bulk Div located Bougainville. Code AKIRA 9015-? f) Composition unknown except Kure 7. Believed in Bougainville area. g) C/G Lt. Gen*- Yasushi SAKAI. Withdrawing to Rabaul. Bulk Div New Britain elements on Bougainville. Code TSUKI 7300-? h) C/G Lt. Gen. Sadaaki KAGESA. Division decimated Guadalcanal and Buna, reformed and assigned Defense Sector at Rabaul. Bulk Div in Rabaul, with battalion destroyed Admiralty Islands. Code NUMA 8920-? i) C/G Maj. Gen. Iwao LiATSUDA, Withdrawing to Rabaul. 122nd Regt and 142nd Regt dropped from organization, 141st Regt sole re­ maining infantry unit. Code NATSU 9850-? j) Located in Rabaul by documents. Strength not known. k) Indications bulk Ist Ind Mixed Regiment at Kavieng with battalion destroyed in Admiralties.

1) Bulk believed withdrawn from Solomons to New Ireland. Believed composed of Kure 6, Yokosuka 7 and possibly Maizuru 4. Possibly now dissolved. m) Hq Wewak area. C/G Lt, Gen. Hitazo ADACHI." Charged operations New Guinea east of 140°. Code MO 7910. n) C/G Lt. Gen, Shigeru KATAGIRI. Last identified Hansa Bay, poss­ ibly withdrawing to Wewak. Code ASA 2050-? o) C/G Lt. Gen. G^ro MANO. Division believed withdrawing westward from Madang area. Code KAWA 3560-? p) C/G Lt. Gen. Hidemit su NAKANO, Last identified Wewak. Code MOTO 2800-? q < Located NW Sector, See Encl No. 17.

(To Accompany End I3)

ENEMY JtSEJI Jbf^TTEE -^STRE^GTH ESTIMATES iM-fe CISTERN SECTOR, S.vOT.JI? *% * " W« *WfcF£V 1944 . \u2666\u25a0 Remarks

NEW GUINEA;

Withdrawing from Madang area 14,000 Bulk 41st Div> m:°sc A/A, Engr units.

Withdrawing (?) from Hans a Eay 14,000 Bulk of 20th Div. Misc A/A & base trps \u2666

Wewak 22,000 Bulk of 51st Div. Poss 6th S. Seas Deti Misc troops, 18th Army Hq at Boiken,

Aitape 3,000 Poss el 52nd Const Duty Co and u/i trps. Vanimo-Hollandia . 7,000 6th South Sea Det and misc troops* Increase in estim­ ated strength based on cumulative in­ telligence.

Sub-total BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGOS

Rabaul area \u25a0* 50,000 Bulk of troops in New Britain believed now concentrated at Rabaul j out­ posts only to remain in East Central £ew Britain, Corobat forces include el 17th Div, 3Sth Div, 65th Brig, misc 6NLP.

New Ireland * 10,000 Hq Bth Comb SNIP| 81st Defense Group; Det;Yokosuka 5 & 7 SLF'si 12th Pioneers, Ist Ind Mixed Regt (~ Bn), tank unit, & poss el 38th Div. Admiralty Islands 500 100 Remnants of the fol­ lowing: el 51st Tpt Regt; Bn of Ist Ind Mixed Regt; el 38th Div; misc troops.

Sub-total 60,500 60,100 r*lr |j3J|!ai;, 1944 30 Apr .1944/ *1 Remarks SOLOMONS? * Short land s-Ballale 2,000 El 23rd Inf, 4th Gar­ rison Unit and mj.sc troops. Possibly evacuating.

Bougainville Southern Sector 12,000 10,500 6th Div (bulk), el (South of line Empress 17th Div, Engr, A/A, Augusta-Toe imonapu Bays) Arty & L of C trcops, plus SNLP's. Eastern Sector (East coast) 3,000 Poss remaining el 45th Inf & misc troops.

Northern Sector (Bu&a Passage Area) 4,000 Det Sasebo 6, A/A, FA & Naval troops.

Choiseul 500 Remnants from Ncr Georgia area - evacu­ ating.

Sub-total

AGGREGATE * Mo change in strength estimates.

I,": .. v '.-'4

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