US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

1941 Developments for Amphibious War 221
References: (a) Second”draft of proposed secret despatch from Cornsopac to
Cincpac.
(b) Cominch secret letter FFI/A3-I serial 00935 of September
7, 1942.
1. I am in entire sympathy with the purpose of reference (a). The rigid
organization prescribed by reference (b), and now in effect, is cumbersome,
results in a difision of responsibility and authority, and injects into the
organization of the forces an echelon of command which, while possibly
convenient for delegating authority for training (such as on the West Coast
of the United States), is not likely to be effective for the many variations
of offensive and defensive operations involved in warfare in the South Pacific.
2. However, the question of the organization and operations of the Amphibious
Force is very closely tied up with the organization and operations of
all p“~ of the South Pacific Force, to a degree that does not apply to other
Task Forces. Furthermore, it is believed that the major lines of organization
of the South Pacific Force require some clarification. For this reason, it is
suggested that reference (a) would solve only one part of the problem.
Furthermore, since it is in direct conflict with reference (b), it might not be
looked upon with favor by higher authorities unless the entire picture is
clarified.
3. It is, therefore, recommended that a despatch be sent to the Commander
in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet, somewhat along the lines indicated in
the following draft:
File No. AMPHIBIOUS FORCE
FE25/A3–l SOUTH PACIFIC FORCE
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDER
Serial 00342
SECRET
Subject: Reorganization of Amphibious Force, South Pacific.
From: COMSOPAC
To: CINCPAC
EXPERIENCE IN SOPAC INDICATES PERMANENT ORGANIZA-
TION OF AMPHIBIOUS FORCE AS NOW PRESCRIBED BY JCS
EIGHT ONE SLANT ONE OF SEPTEMBER FIFTH FORWARDED
BY COMINCH SECRET SERIAL ZERO ZERO NINE THREE FIVE OF
SEPTEMBER SEVENTH LEADS TO UNDESIRABLE COMPLICA-
TIONS IN ADMINISTRATION CMA AND TO DISPERSION OF RE-
SPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY FOR NORMAL AND USUAL
LAND SEA AND AIR OPERATIONS PARA SINCE THIS SUBJECT
CMA DUE TO GEOGRAPHY AND THE VARIED NATURE OF THE
FORCES ASSIGNED MY COMMAND CMA IS CLEARLY BOUND UP
WITH OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE ENTIRE
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA CMA I RECOMMEND THAT THE SOUTH