Posted on 11/29/2011 7:32:32 PM PST by Hojczyk
They are rather easy to create. Just ask Dan.
Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 14-15 Nov 1942-USS Washington (BB-56) and USS South Dakota (BB-57) plus DDs intercept and engage Japanese force consisting of BB Kirishima, CAs Atago and Takao, CLs and DDs. South Dakota heavily damaged, Washington sinks Kirishima with 16" and 5" gunfire.
In 1935, according to a couple documents I found in the National Archives, the Japanese were buying commercial shipping lane maps for the West Coast.
ONI noted that this was normal because of the trade they did with the US, but that they would keep an eye on it.
Never did find any followup docs.
Just one more instance of a distant clue of Japanese intentions which were largely ignored by the White House.
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