Downfall Strategic Plan—May 1945

The Downfall Plan of 28 May 1945 was issued by General of the Army MacArthur’s headquarters, based on direction of the Joint Chief’s of Staff.

The objective of the operation was to force the unconditional surrender of Japan. The plan established the command relationships between the army, navy, and strategic air forces and assigned responsibilities for further planning as well as future combat operations.

The plan has four sections:

  1. Directive from the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

  2. Assumptions regarding Japanese and American forces.

  3. Initial concept of Operations, both Olympic and Coronet.

  4. Logistics

Link to the full document; https://abmceducation.org/sites/default/files/3397.pdf

Cover page of a military strategic plan titled "Downfall," from the General Headquarters of the U.S. Army Forces in the Pacific.