GERALD R. FORD Resident of the United States

ARTHUR F. SAMPSON Administmtor of Genud Ssvices

JAMES B. RHOADS Archivist of the United Stutes

The records reproduced i n t h i s microzilm publicat ion a r e from the following record groups:

T i t l e RG - Records of the Off ice of the Chief o f Naval Operations 38 General Records of the Department of the Navy 80 Records of Naval Operating Forces 313

RECORDS RELATING TO UNITED STATES NAVY FLEET PROBLEMS I TO X X I I , 1923 -1941

On the 36 r o l l s of t h i s microfilm publicat ion are reproduced repor t s , correspondence, maps, t rack char t s , and other documenta- t i on of U.S. Navy Flee t Problems I t o XXII, 1923-41. These records were se lec ted from f i v e s e r i e s of records i n th ree record groups: Office of t he Secretary of t he Navy Secret and Confi- den t i a l Correspondence, 1919-26, and Confidential Correspondence 1927-39, from General Records of t he Department of t he Nayr, Record Group 80; Division of Fleet Training Confidential Corre- spondence, 1927-41, and Confidential Reports, 1917-41, from Records of t he Office of t he Chief of Naval Operations, Record Group 38; and Confidential Correspondence, 1939-40, Commander

.. i n Chief, U.S. ' Flee t (CINCUS) , from Records of Naval Operating Forces, Record Group 313.

Fleet Problems

Between 1923 and 1940 the U.S. Navy held 21 large-scale exerc i ses , termed " f l e e t problems," which involved most of i t s operat ional f l e e t un i t s . Because of t he " in te rna t iona l s i tua t ion ," t he Navy Department canceled Fleet Problem XXII scheduled f o r January 1941. Except f o r 1924 when th r ee were held and 1930 when two were held, f l e e t problems were held once a year between January and May i n one o r more of t he following areas: t he Caribbean Sea, t he v i c i n i t y of t he Panama Canal, along t he west coast of Central America, t he Pac i f ic Ocean between Cal ifornia and t he Hawaiian Is lands, o f f t he coast of Alaska, and the v i c i n i t y of t he Hawaiian Islands.

F lee t problems were but a pa r t of annual f l e e t t ra in ing . Gunnery exerc i ses , f l e e t landing exercises with t he Fleet Marine Force, and f l e e t t a c t i c a l exercises , t o mention only a few, were a l so important f o r t he development of f l e e t t a c t i c s , tech- niques, doctr ine, and expert ise . F lee t problems, however, in tegra ted t h e many elements i n t o a major act ion. They t e s t ed s t r a t e g i c ideas , war plans, t a c t i c a l doctr ine, l o g i s t i c a l support, and communications and required commanders and s t a f f s of a va r i e ty of u n i t s ( a i r c r a f t , submarine, support, and ba t t l e l i ne ) t o work together .

F lee t problems were mock encounters between two o r more opposing naval forces . One f l e e t , of ten designated BLUE, r e - presented U.S. naval un i t s while o ther forces , designated BLACK, ORANGE, o r anoFher color , represented European o r Asian navies. Sometimes Army and Marine Corps troops supported t he naval un i t s . The opposing f l e e t s usual ly conducted t h e i r operations within a s t r a t e g i c o r p o l i t i c a l context presented t o t he commanders before t he problem commenced. For instance, Fleet Problem 111, held i n January 1924, required BLACK t o at tack westward across

the At lan t ic , e s t ab l i sh bases i n t he Caribbean, and f i n a l l y t o se ize the Panama Canal. BLUE forces i n t he Caribbean had t o delay BLACK'S advance long enough f o r t he main body of the BLUE Fleet t o t r a n s i t t he canal from i ts pos i t ion i n the Pacif ic . This scenario was a r e a l i s t i c problem f o r American s t r a t e g i s t s concerned with meeting t he t h r e a t from a European naval power, such as Germany. Besides t h a t s t r a t e g i c quest ion, F lee t Problem I11 a l so involved landing exercises by Marines, long-range a i r - c r a f t scouting operations by both Army A i r Service and Navy planes, use of a t tack a i r c r a f t from the c a r r i e r U.S.S. LrmgZey, a t - sea refuel ing, mining and minesweeping, escor t and defense of a slow convoy against submarines, and a t tack on coas ta l in- s t a l l a t i o n s by naval gunfire . A l i s t giving t he da te , place, motives, arld forces of a l l f l e e t problems follows these in - troductory remarks.

Between t he F i r s t and Second World Wars t he chief s t r a t e g i c s i t ua t i ons invest igated by t he U.S. Navy, i h f l e e t problems as well a s i n war games, war plans, Naval War College s tud ies , and o ther exerc i ses , were t he defense of the Panama Canal, t he defense of Caribbean bases and s ea rou tes , and an offensive by t he f l e e t westward from Hawaii. Tac t ica l questions followed na tu ra l l y from the s t r a t e g i c contef t . For example, long-range l o g i s t i c s , fue l ing a t sea , convoy defense, amphibious landings, and offensive c a r r i e r operat ions were a l l na tura l outgrowths of t he planned westward advance across t he cen t ra l Pac i f i c i n a war against Japan. F lee t problems re f lec ted a l l of these s t r a t e g i c and t a c t i c a l concerns.

Organization of t h e opposing forces changed according t o the object ive of t he problem. Usually, t he commander i n ch i e f , Ba t t le F lee t ( a f t e r 1931 commander, Ba t t le Force), commanded one f l e e t , while t he commander i n ch ie f , Scouting Fleet ( a f t e r 1931 commander, Scouting Force), l ed t h e other . The Bat t le F lee t , most o f ten s ta t ioned i n the Pac i f ic , and t he Scouting F lee t , with i t s home por t s i n the At lan t ic , were t he two major elements of the U.S. Fleet . The Bat t le Fleet was superior i n ba t t l e sh ip , c a r r i e r , and destroyer s t rength ; the Scouting F lee t , i n c ru ise rs .

During f l e e t problems addi t ional sh ips , support u n i t s , and a i r c r a f t were added t o balance the s t rength of t he opposing f l e e t s . Sometimes t h i s meant t r ans f e r r i ng an ac tua l ba t t l e sh ip d iv i s ion from t h e Bat t le Fleet t o t he Scouting F lee t , o r a c ru i s e r d iv i s ion from the Scouting F lee t t o the Bat t le Fleet . Another way t o increase t he s t rength of one force was t o add imaginary, o r l lconstructive,ll ships and un i t s . This did not r e a l l y add physical power t o t h a t f l e e t . but it did requi re t he opposing commander t o consider t he "constructive" elements while making h i s est imate of t he s i t ua t i on and plans, thus i nh ib i t i ng h i s freedom of act ion. Because of t he s t r a t e g i c o r t a c t i c a l s i t u a t i o n t o be examined, during some f l e e t problems a l l

submarines, o r amphibious forces o r a i r c r a f t c a r r i e r s , were as- signed t o one of t he forces .

A s i n ac tua l b a t t l e , t he opposing commanders and t h e i r sub- ordinates issued orders , maneuvered t h e i r forces , and t r i e d t o destroy t he enemy. Ships were not sunk, of course, nor a i r c r a f t downed nor men k i l l ed . Umpires monitored t h e ac t ion and deter- mined t he outcome. In an ac t ion involving an a t tack by ships of one f l e e t against those of t he other f l e e t , t he umpires con- s idered such f ac to r s as armament, speed, surpr i se , and pos i t ion t o assess damage and t o determine which ships would be out of ac t ion f o r t he remainder of t he problem. CINCUS was usual ly chief umpire and thus t he f i n a l a r b i t e r of t h e problem. A l l u n i t s and ships engaged i n t he problem a l s o had a t l e a s t one umpire attached.

Description of t he Records

Extant documentation va r i e s i n volume, type, and i n t e rna l arrangement from problem t o problem. Among t h e more important groupings of records included i n t h i s microfilm publicat ion a re : (1) f i n a l repor t s of t he problem; (2) several categories of correspondence; (3) statements of t he problem and est imates of t he s i t u a t i o n with t h e i r r e su l t i ng plans, orders , and ins t ruc- t i ons ; (4) nar ra t ives of events; (5) umpire repor t s ; and (6) notes , t r ansc r ip t s of proceedings, and o ther records created a t t h e postproblem cr i t iques .

1. Final repor t s have been located f o r 16 of t he 22 pro- blems held. The f i n a l repor t s descr ibe b r i e f l y t he object ives of t he problem, f l e e t maneuverings, success of t he opposing forces i n meeting t h e i r object ives , and lessons learned from the exercises . These repor t s , which CINCUS prepared f o r t he Chief of Naval Operations, usual ly include as enclosures plans, orders , and na r r a t i ve s documenting t he problem. The Navy Department digested and published several of t he f i n a l reports- f o r d i s - t r i bu t i on throughout t he service. When the Navy Department pre- pared a f i n a l condensed repor t on a f l e e t problem, it sometimes destroyed t he voluminous documentation used t o prepare t h a t repor t ; Fleet Problem I . i s an example of t h i s . In other cases, Fleet Problem XV f o r instance, t he r e a r e both a published f i n a l repor t and many records.

2. Several categories of correspondence a r e included i n t h i s microfilm publicat ion: (a) correspondence exchanged between t he Chief of Naval Operations, CINCUS, and t h e i r s t a f f s i n pre- parat ion f o r t he problem, including documents r e l a t i n g t o t he t a c t i c a l , s t r a t e g i c a l , and l o g i s t i c a l questions t he problem would examine, t he a v a i l a b i l i t y of f l e e t u n i t s and resources, such as f u e l , and t he time and locat ion of t he problem; (b) radio mess- ages and other correspondence sen t by CINCUS during t he exercises informing t he Navy Department of t he course of t he problem; and

(c) correspondence between t h e f l e e t u n i t s and t h e Department before, during, and a f t e r each problem, discussing such technica l sub jec ts as communications, performance of equipment, and opera- t i ona l use of meteorological data .

3. Statements out l ining t h e pos i t ions and object ives of each force were given t h e opposing f l e e t commanders preceding t h e problem. From t h e information i n these statements of t h e problem, each commander prepared an est imate analyzing t h e s i t u a t i o n , gaging t h e enemy's f l e e t c a p a b i l i t i e s and in ten t ions , and out l in ing h i s own plan of act ion. Detailed plans and orders prepared by t h e f l e e t commanders and t h e i r subordinates followed from these est imates .

4 and 5. Narrative repor t s , prepared a f t e r each f l e e t problem by t h e subordinate commanders, described t h e act ions of t h e i r un i t o r ship during t h e exercise . Often these were merely day-to-day o r hour-by-hour l i s t i n g s of changes i n pos i t ion f o r a ship o r un i t . But some of t h e repor t s analyze what was done, why it was done, and why it d id o r did not succeed. The umpires assigned t o each u n i t and sh ip prepared s imi l a r , some- times near ly i den t i ca l , reports.' Although t h e umpires were neu t r a l observers, they a f fec ted t h e exercises by assessing damage, l imi t ing a commander's access t o information about enemy forces, and general ly cont ro l l ing t h e moves of t h e opposing f l e e t s . Consequently, t h e i r analyses and recommendations were sometimes more ob jec t ive than t h e repor t s of t h e various com- manders.

6. Documentation created a t t h e c r i t i ques held following each f l e e t problem includes notes , t r a n s c r i p t s , prepared papers, and prec is . This documentation of ten summarizes t h e ac t ion and revea ls what t h e assembled pa r t i c ipan t s thought t h e Navy should learn from the problem.

Securi ty C la s s i f i c a t i on

None of t h e documents reproduced i n t h i s microfilm publica- t i on i s now secu r i t y c l a s s i f i e d , although when created nearly a l l were marked "Confidential." I n a l e t t e r dated January 25, 1968, t o t h e Archivist of t h e United S t a t e s , Capt. F. Kent Loomis, Assis tant Director of Naval History, Department of t h e Navy, authorized dec l a s s i f i c a t i on of t h e records r e l a t i n g t o F lee t Problems I through XX. IXlring 1973 represen ta t ives of t h e Department of t h e Navy and t h e National Archives and Records Service (NARS) reviewed and authorized dec l a s s i f i c a t i on of t he s e r i e s of CINCUS records from which most documentation f o r Fleet Problems XXI and X X I I was se lec ted f o r t h i s microfilm publicat ion.

Arrangement

The records a re arranged numerically by f l e e t problem. Within each problem the records a re arranged i n the several major groupings described above and generally i n t he order i n which they are described: f i n a l reports ; correspondence; statements of the problem, estimates of the s i t ua t ion , plans, orders, in- s t ruc t ions ; nar ra t ives of events; umpire reports ; and documenta- t i on created a t the postproblem cr i t iques . The records within these groupings a re variously arranged. Records described a s "correspondence" a r e arranged by category and thereunder chronologically. Statements of t he problems, estimates of t he s i tua t ion , plans, and orders a r e arranged by f l e e t , thereunder by subordinate un i t , and thereunder chronologically. Narratives of events and umpire reports a re s imi lar ly arranged. For a comprehensive l i s t i n g of t he documents cons t i tu t ing t h i s micro- film publication and t h e i r arrangement, see the contents. I t i s not complete, however, because enclosures t o reports , l e t t e r s , and other documents a re not always included. Roll notes, l i s t i n g i n d e t a i l the records contained on pa r t i cu l a r r o l l s of film, have been prepared when a major grouping appears on more than one r o l l of film.

For the preparation of t h i s publication records were as- sembled from f ive ser ies . Most of the records r e l a t ing t o the f i r s t seven f l e e t problems bear the following f i l e designations of the Secret and Confidential Correspondence of the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, 1919-26: 198-35:2 (Problem I ) , 162- 78:4/1 (Problems 11-IV), 198-35:35 (Problem V), 162-78:13 (Problem VI) , and 198-35: 7 (Problem VII). Additional documenta- t i on is from the se r i e s of Confidential Reports of the Division of Fleet Training, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 1917-41. The bulk of the records r e l a t i n g t o Fleet Problems VIII-XIX are from the Confidential Correspondence of the Secretary of the Navy, 1927-41, f i l e designation A16-3(5- ) The number of the problem t o which the document spec i f i ca l ly r e l a t e s follows the dash within the parentheses. For example, the f i l e designation f o r a report r e l a t ing t o Fleet Problem IX i s A16-3 (5-IX). Supplementary documentation f o r Problems VIII-XIX was col lected from the Confidential Correspondence, 1927-41, f i l e designation A16-3(5- ), and the Confidential Reports, 1917-41, of the Division of Fleet Training. These two se r i e s also furnished some documents r e l a t ing t o Fleet Problems XX-XXII, but most of these records are from the Confidential Correspondence of CINCUS, 1939-40, f i l e A16-3(5- ).

Target sheets , numbered i n sequence f o r each r o l l of film, have been inserted t o indicate t he major groupings of documenta- t i on within each f l e e t problem, a s described above and as l i s t e d i n the Contents. The ta rge ts a l so ident i fy the record groups, by t i t l e and number, from which the documents were selected.

Related Records

Additional documentation on f l e e t problems and annual f l e e t exercises i s included i n t he f i ve s e r i e s of records l i s t e d a t t he beginning of t h i s introduction. The Office of t he Secretary of t he Navy Secret and Confidential Correspondence, 1919-26, is arranged according t o a duplex-numeric f i l i n g system and indexed alphabet ical ly by subject . Index e n t r i e s f o r "exercises , I '

" f l e e t problems ," and "maneuvers" provide leads t o o ther r e l - evant documentation. After 1927 the Navy f i l e d most of i t s records according t o an alpha-numeric f i l i n g system. The f i l e designation A16-3, "warfare operations; defensive; offensive; repor t s o f ; problems; war games , I 7 from the Navy Filing ManuaZ w i l l furnish addi t ional useful documentation.

Final ly , NARS Microfilm Publication M971, AnnuaZ Reports of PZeets and Task Forces of the United States. Navy, 1920-1941, contains information on f l e e t problems.

Timothy K. Nenninger arranged t he records f o r filming and wrote these introductory remarks.

L i s t 0.f F l e e t Problems

Fleet Problem I

Date: February 1923 Place: Panama Canal Zone and v ic ih i ty Motives: (1) To t r a i n the Navy high command i n making

estimates of the si tuation and transmitting the estimates as operations orders.

(2) To t r a i n the f l e e t i n large-scale maneuvers (3) To study war plans, war instructions, and

t ac t i ca l doctrine. Forces: Battle Fleet (less Battleship Division 5) v.

Scouting Fleet (plus Battleship Division 5)

Fleet Problem I1

Date: January 1924 Place: San Pedro, Calif. , t o the Gulf of Panama Motive: To simulate the f i r s t leg of a westward advance

across the Pacific Ocean Forces: Battle Fleet v. Special Service Squadron

Fleet Problem I11

Date: January 1924 Place: Caribbean Sea and Panama Canal Zone Motive: To t e s t the Caribbean defenses and t r ans i t f ac i l -

i t i e s of the Panama Canal Forces: Battle Fleet and U.S. Army and 15th Naval Distr ict

land forces v. Scouting Fleet

Fleet Problem IV

Date: January 1924 Place: Caribbean Sea Motive: To simulate the movement from a main base in the

western Pacific t o an advance base within 500 miles of the Japanese Home Islands ( in t h i s problem the areas of the western Pacific represented by islands, c i t i e s , and countries of the. Caribbean)

Forces: U.S. Fleet v. Special Service Squadron

Fleet Problem V

Date: March 1925 Place : Pacific Ocean i n the v ic in i ty of Guadalupe Island

(off the m a s t of Baja California) Motive: To t r a in the f l e e t i n protective screening, seizing

and occupying an unfort if ied anchorage, fueling a t sea, and conducting submarine attacks

Forces: Battle Fleet v. Scouting Fleet

Fleet Problem VI

Date: February 1926 Place: Off t he west coast of Central America Motives: (1) To exercise t h e f l e e t i n operations t h a t might

be expected i n any attempt t o e s t ab l i sh Amer- ican naval supremacy i n t he western Pacif ic .

(2) To t r a i n t he f l e e t -in escort ing slow overseas convoys, i n fuel ing a t sea, i n maneuvering an escort and slow convoy f o r en t ry i n t o port i n the face of enemy opposition, i n search and contact scouting, and i n at tacking s trongly escorted convoys.

Forces: Bat t le Fleet and convoy v. Scouting Fleet and Con- t r o l ' ~ o r c e

Fleet Problem VII

Date: March 1927 Place: Caribbean Sea Motive: To exercise t he f l e e t i n war operations including

search and contact scouting, t racking with sub- marines, and at tadking la rge convoys protected by s t rong ba t t l e sh ip and destroyer escor t s

Forces: Bat t le F lee t , Fleet Base Force, and a l l f l e e t sub- marines v. Scouting F l ee t , Control Force, and Train Squadron 1

Fleet Problem VIII

Date: April 1928 Place: San Francisco t o Honolulu Motive: To exerc i se t he f l e e t i n search and contact scouting,

t racking with submarines, a t tacking la rge convoys, evading enemy scouts , escort ing an overseas convoy, maneuvering a convoy and escor t f o r en t ry i n t o por t i n t he face of enemy opposition, and improving f l e e t speed

Forces: Light Cruiser Division 2, Mine Squadron 2, and a l l f l e e t submarines v. Ba t t le F lee t and Train Squadron 2

Fleet Problem IX

Date: January 1929 Place: San Diego, Cal i f . , t o the Panama Canal Zone Motive: To study t he e f f e c t s of an a t tack on t he Panama

Canal and t o conduct exercises t o car ry it out , including escort ing a convoy, evading enemy scouts , maneuvering a convoy and escor t i n t o por t i n t he face of enemy opposition, search and contact scouting, defending t he canal from submarines, harassing and at tacking superior forces , laying mines, and cooperating with t he Army inana reade fense

Forces: Bat t le Fleet ( less submarines and U.S.S. Lexington) and Train Squadron 2 v. Scouting Fleet , U.S.S. Lexington, Control Forces, Train Squadron 1, and U.S. Army and 15th Naval D i s t r i c t land forces

Fleet Problem X

Date: March 1930 Place: Caribbean Sea between Colon, Panama, and Ha i t i Motives: (1) To exercise a l l f l e e t un i t s i n a problem t o

gain t a c t i c a l supe r io r i t y over a force of approximately equal s t rength.

(2) To employ l i g h t forces and a i r c r a f t i n search operations.

(3) To study s t r a t e g i c problems l i ke ly t o a r i s e i n t he Caribbean.

Forces: Ba t t l e Fleet v. Scouting Fleet (each augmented t o make forces about equal)

Fleet Problem X I

Date: Apri l 1930 Place: Caribbean Sea Motives: (1) To t r a i n commanders i n making quick estimates

and decisions and i n wri t ing and t ransmit t ing orders and plans i n coded dispatches.

(2) To t e s t communications, radio in te l l igence , and rad io secur i ty .

(3) To study s t r a t e g i c problems l i ke ly t o a r i s e i n t he Caribbean.

(4) To exercise t he f l e e t i n scouting, concen- t r a t i n g dispersed forces , and at tacking d i s - persed forces .

Forces: Bat t le Fleet v. Scouting F lee t (each augmented t o make s trength about equal)

Fleet Problem X I 1

Date: February 1931 Place: Off t he west coast of Central America Motives: (1) To t r a i n commanders i n making quick estimates

and decis ions and i n wri t ing and t ransmit t ing orders and plans i n coded dispatches.

(2) To t e s t communications, rad io in te l l igence , and radio secur i ty .

(3) To exercise t he f l e e t i n employing a i r c r a f t c a r r i e r s with l i g h t c ru i s e r s , employing heavy c ru isers , defending a long coas t l ine , a t tacking and defending a convoy, o i l i ng a t sea, and s t r a t e g i c scouting.

Forces: Bat t le Fleet v. Scouting Fleet and a i r sh ip U.S.S. LQS AngeZes (both forces augmented t o make s trength about equal)

9

Flee t Problem XI11

Date: March 1932 Place: P a c i f i c Ocean between Hawaii and t h e U.S. west coast Motives: (1) To represen t p a r t of an overseas compaign i n

which advance u n i t s of an expeditionary force move from a base of concentration t o t h e i r i n i t i a l des t ina t ion .

(2) To exerc i se t he f l e e t i n s t r a t e g i c scouting and t racking and i n a t t ack ing and defending a convoy.

Forces: Ba t t l e Force v. Scouting Force (each augmented)

F lee t Problem XIV

Date: February 1933 Place: Pac i f i c Ocean between Hawaii.and t he U.S. west coast Motives: (1) To represen t preparat ions f o r an overseas

campaign while defending from c a r r i e r a t t a cks an out lying possession and important in- d u s t r i a l , m i l i t a ry , and mobil izat ion cen te rs along a coa s t l i ne .

(2) To exerc i se t h e f l e e t i n s t r a t e g i c t racking, c a r r i e r group t a c t i c s , and Army-Navy coopera- t i o n f o r an a r ea defense.

Forces: Ba t t l e Force and submarines v. Scouting Force and c a r r i e r s

F lee t Problem XV

Date: May 1934 Place: Off t h e U.S. west coas t , Central America, Panama

Canal Zone, and Caribbean Sea Motives: (1) To represent t h r ee phases of a continuous

naval campaign culminating i n a major f l e e t b a t t l e .

(2) To exerc i se t he f l e e t i n an a t t a c k and defense of t h e Panama Canal and i n t h e capture of an advanced base.

Forces: Ba t t l e Force v. Scouting Force (each augmented t o equal ize s t reng th)

F lee t Problem XVI

Date: May 1935 Place: North Pac i f i c o f f t h e coast of Alaska and i n t he

v i c i n i t y of Hawaii Motives: (1) To represen t f i v e d i s t i n c t and nonsuccessive

phases of a naval campaign, including a major f l e e t b a t t l e , i n which t h e United S t a t e s i s on t he s t r a t e g i c offensive.

(2) To exercise t he f l e e t i n preparations f o r and conduct of an overseas expedition and capture and defense of an advanced base.

Forces: U.S. F lee t v. submarines i n t he e a r l i e r phases, followed by Bat t le Force v. augmented Scouting Force i n the l a t e r phases

F lee t Problem XVII

Date: April-May 1936 Place: Off t he U.S. west coast , Central America, and i n t he

v i c i n i t y of t he Panama Canal Zone Motive: In f i v e phases, t o advance t h e s t r a t e g i c a l , t a c t i c a l ,

and l o g i s t i c a l t r a in ing of t h e f l e e t , including the exercise of submarines i n offensive operations, t h e exercise of t he e n t i r e f l e e t i n antisubmarine operations, t h e development of a i r c r a f t and surface scouting techniques, the t e s t i n g of communications systems, and t he t r a i n i n g of a i r c r a f t pa t ro l squad- rons f o r extended f l e e t operations

Forces: Ba t t l e Force v. Scouting Force augmented t o include a l l submarines

F lee t Problem XVIII

Date: May 1937 Place: North Pac i f ic o f f t h e coast of Alaska and i n t h e

v i c i n i t y of Hawaii Motive: To exerc i se t he f l e e t i n t h e se izure of advanced

f l e e t bases Forces: Ba t t l e Force v. augmented Scouting Force

F lee t Problem XIX ( in th ree phases, p a r t s 11, V, and XI of Annual F lee t Exercises, each i n e f f e c t a separa te f l e e t problem)

Date : March-April 1938 Place: U.S. west coast t o t h e v i c i n i t y of Hawaii and back Part I 1 motive: To exercise the f l e e t i n search t a c t i c s ;

t h e use of submarines, a i r c r a f t , and destroyers i n scouting and at tacking; proper f l e e t d i spos i t ions ; and t h e conduct of major f l e e t b a t t l e s

Par t I 1 forces : Bat t le Force, including a l l submarines, v. augmented Scouting Force

Part V motives: (1) To exerc i se t h e f l e e t i n se iz ing and defending an advanced base against minor opposition.

(2) To provide a t e s t of t h e capab i l i t i e s of t h e Hawaiian Defense Force.

Part V forces : U.S. F lee t v. Hawaiian Defense Force augmented by a few f l e e t un i t s

Part XI motive: To exercise the f l e e t i n operations against a defended coastl ine

Part XI forces: Battle Force, including a l l carr iers , v. Scouting Force, including a l l submarines

Fleet Problem XX

Date: February 1939 Place: Caribbean Sea Motives: (1) To t e s t the a b i l i t y of the U.S. Fleet i n

controlling the Caribbean sealanes while maintaining suff ic ient naval strength i n the Pacific t o protect v i t a l American in teres ts .

( 2 ) .To exercise- the f l e e t i n undertaking long- range search operations, escorting merchant- men, establishing and defending advanced bases, and conducting a major f l e e t bat t le .

Forces: Battle Force v. Scouting Force

Fleet Problem XXI (in two phases, par ts I1 and VI of Annual Fleet Exercises, each i n effect - separate f l e e t problem)

Date: April 1940 Place: U.S. west coast t o the vic ini ty of Hawaii and west-

ward Part I1 motive: To exercise two f l e e t s of approximately

equal strength, one concentrated, the other widely dispersed, i n scouting, screening. and conducting major f l e e t engagements

P a r t VI motive: To exercise two f l e e t s of approximately equal strength, each dispersed, in scouting, screening, protecting convoys, seizing and defending advanced bases, and conducting major f l e e t engagements

Parts I1 and V I forces: Battle Force v. Scouting Force (each augmented t o equalize strength)

Fleet Problem XXII

Canc e 1 ed

CONTENTS

Roll - Description

1 Fleet Problem I

CINCUS repor t , June 19, 1923 (published digest of report)

BLACK commander's r epo r t , Mar. 5, 1923 (enclosures a-n)

CINCUS l e t t e r , Feb. 16, 1923 (missing) BLACK estimate of the s i t ua t ion , including campaign order and accompanying l e t t e r of ins t ruc t ion with enclosures Report on the conduct of the problem, in- cluding copies of per t inent s ignals sen t , orders issued, and estimates made Track chart showing posi t ions of forces a t 0001, 0600, 1200, and 1800 hours da i ly and contacts made between opposing forces Reports from commanding o f f i ce r s of vessels of Destroyer Squadron 12 (pickets) Reports from commanding o f f i ce r s of vessels of Destroyer Squadron 11 (antisubmarine screen) Reports from commanding o f f i ce r s of ba t t l e - ships and ba t t l e sh ip divis ion commanders Reports of t h e Outguards commander Reports from commanding o f f i ce r s of the t r a i n vesse ls Reports from commanding o f f i ce r s of vessels of Submarine Division 9 and the U.S.S. Camden Reports from the commanding o f f i ce r s of the R-5 and R-8 (Cape Mala Detachment) Report on radio- communications (missing) Report on material losses during the c ru ise t o Panama Report on catapult operations from BLACK ba t t lesh ips

Fleet Problem I1

Correspondence r e l a t i ng t o plans fo r the 1923-24 winter maneuvers (Fleet Problems 11- IV)

CINCUS repor t , Mar. 3, 1924 (enclosures a-n)

a . BLACK statement of the problem b. BLACK estimate of the s i t ua t ion , with opera-

t i ons order and l e t t e r of ins t ruc t ion

Description

c. BLUE statement of the problem d. BLUE estimate of the situation, with opera-

tions order, letter of instruction, logistics plan, and operating plan Fleet Base Force movement order Commander in chief, Battle Fleet, report on the problem, with reports from subordinate commanders Commander, Submarine Divisions, Pacific, preliminary report of operations from Jan. 2 to Jan. 20, 1924 Commander, Fleet Base Force, report on the problem Commander, Submarine Division, Pacific, report on Fleet Screening Formation No. 2 Preliminary papers covering employment of Submarine Divisions 1 and 8 in connection with Fleet Problems I1 and IV Chief observer's report, with reports of observers of X, Y, and Z sector guards Observer's report on the staff of the BLUE commander

m. Observer's report for the fleet train n. Observer's report for the U.S.S. AZtair

(proceeding independently)

Fleet Problem I11

Chief umpire's report on joint Army-Navy exercises, Jan. 25, 1924 (enclosures a-f)

a. BLACK Azores Force estimate of the situation and initial orders

b. Panama Canal Department estimate of the situation and initial orders

c. Fifteenth Naval District estimate of the situation

d. BLUE Pacific Naval Force estimate of the situation

e. Chief umpire's journal of events, consisting of messages received

f. Statementsand conclusions from the critique of the problem

BLACK commander's history of the problem (enclosures)

3 Fleet Problem IV

CINCUS report, Apr. 30, 1924 (enclosures a-y)

Roll Description - Navy Department instructions pertaining to the problem BLUE statement of the problem, general and special situations, and "Extracts from Basic Operating Plan in a BLACK War" BLUE'estimate of the situation, with opera- tions order and special instructions BLUE estimate of the situation, with proposed operations order and cruising plan BLUE Scouting Fleet estimate of the situation, with operations order, instructions, and battle plans BLUE estimate of the situation by commander, Control Force BLUE Mine Squadron operations and radio orders BLUE Control Force estimate of the situation, with operations order, sequence of operations, schedule of fire, order for landing operations, and radio instructions BLUE Fleet Marine Expeditionary Force estimate of the situation, with transport list, field orders, and administrative orders; and supplementary estimate. with field orders, administrative orders, details for loading boats for landing, and assignments to beaches BLACK statement of the problem, general and special situations, and assumptions BLACK Special Service Squadron estimate of the situation, with operations order, com- munication instructions, and mine plan Correspondence concerning availability and employment of submarines based on Coco Solo in connection with the problem, and commander, Submarine Base, Coco Solo, movement order BLACK Culebra Submarine Detachment supplemen- tary estimate of the situation (as modified by reduced BLACK forces available), with communication instructions, operations order, and mine plan BLACK Culebra Detachment of Fleet Marine Expeditionary Forces estimate of the situa- tion, with field orders and annexes BLUE war diary BLUE Scouting Fleet history of the problem, with sketch of cruising plan, movement order, and battle historian's report CINCUS notice of conference on the problem BLACK Culebra Submarine Detachment estimate of the situation, with notes

Roll Descr ip t ion - s. Comment on BLUE ope ra t ions by commanders,

Scouting F l e e t and Dest royer Squadrons 9 and 14

t . Comment on BLUE ope ra t ions by commander i n c h i e f , B a t t l e F l e e t , and commanders, Ba t t l e - s h i p Div i s ions 3 and 4 and Destroyer Squadrons 11 and 12

u. Comment on BLUE ope ra t ions by commander, F l e e t Base Force, and commanding o f f i c e r , U.S.S. LangZey

v. Comment on BLUE ope ra t ions by commanders, Control Force, Scout ing F l e e t , Submarine Div i s ions 16 and 17, andMarine Landing Forces; andby commandingofficer, U.S.S. Arkansas

w. Comment on BLACK ope ra t ions by commanders, Culebra Submarine Detachment and A i r c r a f t Squadrons Scout ing F l e e t

x. Report and war d i a r i e s on BLUE opera t ions by commander , Control Forces , and commanding o f f i c e r , U.S.S. LangZey

y. Mate r i a l e f f e c t i v e n e s s r e p o r t by CINCUS

F l e e t Problem V

CINCUS r e p o r t , May 29, 1925 (enclosures a - t )

a . BLUE s ta tement of t h e problem b. BLUE e s t i m a t e of t h e s i t u a t i o n by commander,

Scouting F l e e t , and s i x BLUE subord ina te commanders

c . S ta tements of BLUE commander and subord ina tes a t t h e c r i t i q u e o f t h e problem

d . Chronological r e c o r d of t h e problem e . BLUE r e p o r t o f ope ra t ions f . BLUE t r a c k c h a r t s o f movements g, BLUE m a t e r i a l e f f e c t i v e n e s s r e p o r t h. BLACK s ta t emen t of t h e problem i. BLACK e s t i m a t e of t h e s i t u a t i o n j . Pre l iminary e s t i m a t e s of t h e s i t u a t i o n by

BLACK subord ina te commanders k. BLACK s t a t emen t s a t c r i t i q u e , t o g e t h e r wi th

opening and c l o s i n g s t a t emen t s made by CINCUS

1. BLACK war d i a r y m. BLACK subord ina te commanderst chronological

r eco rd of t h e problem n. BLACK commanderts r e p o r t of ope ra t ions o. BLACK subord ina te commanders' r e p o r t s of

ope ra t ions p. BLACK r e p o r t o f v i s u a l communications

(missing)

Roll Description - q. BLACK repor t of r a d i o communications (missing)

4 con., 5, r. Narrat ives of moves by var ious u n i t and s h i p and 6 commanders

s . BLACK t rack c h a r t of movements t . BLACK mate r ia l e f fec t iveness r e p o r t

7 F lee t Problem VI

CINCUS r e p o r t , Mar. 14, 1926 (enclosures a - f )

a . BLACK es t imate of t h e s i t u a t i o n with operating plans , l e t t e r o f i n s t r u c t i o n , and operations and b a t t l e orders

b. BLACK r e p o r t of operat ions c. BLACK and BLUE t r a c k c h a r t s of movements d. BLUE es t imate of t h e s i t u a t i o n , with orders ,

l e t t e r of i n s t r u c t i o n , and r e p o r t of opera- t i o n s

e . Report o f BLUE f l e e t observers f . Report of observer with BLUE a i r c r a f t

squadrons

F lee t Problem VII

CINCUS r e p o r t , May 4, 1927 (enclosures a-g)

a . BLUE statement of t h e problem b. BLUE es t imate of t h e s i t u a t i o n , with

operat ing p lans , l e t t e r of i n s t r u c t i o n , operat ions and b a t t l e o rders , and repor t of BLUE commander

c. BLACK statement of t h e problem d. BLACK es t imate of t h e s i t u a t i o n , with

operat ing p lans , l e t t e r of i n s t r u c t i o n , operat ions and b a t t l e orders , and repor t of BLACK commander

e. BLUE and BLACK t r a c k c h a r t s of movements f . Report of BLUE observer

8 con.-11 g. Report of BLACK observer

F l e e t Problem VIII

CINCUS r e p o r t , n.d. (enclosures a-m)

a. BLUE statement of t h e problem b. ORANGE statement of t h e problem c . BLUE es t imate of t h e s i t u a t i o n d. ORANGE es t imate of t h e s i t u a t i o n e . BLUE commander's r e p o r t of operat ions f . ORANGE commander's r e p o r t of operat ions

Roll - Description

g. Report of BLUE f l e e t observer h. Report of ORANGE f l e e t observer 1. Blueprint t r a c k char t o f BLUE F lee t j . Blueprint t r a c k c h a r t s of a l l f o r c e s k. Blueprint showing search from t h e r e a r and

independent methods from t h e f l a n k 1. Blueprint s tudy showing search by s e c t o r

method m. Blueprint s tudy showing search by p a t r o l

method Correspondence regarding towing t a s k s and communica-

t i o n s

12 F lee t Problem IX

CINCUS r e p o r t , Mar. 18, 1929 (published d i g e s t of r e p o r t )

CINCUS r e p o r t , Mar. 18, 1929 (complete r e p o r t with enclosures a-aa)

CINCUS l e t t e r regarding communications BLACK statement o f t h e problem BLACK es t imate of t h e s i t u a t i o n BLACK commander's l e t t e r of i n s t r u c t i o n BLACK commander's l e t t e r regarding d i s - t ingu i sh ing marks of p lanes engaged i n t h e problem BLACK commander's l e t t e r regarding annex t o communications plan one BLACK commander's l e t t e r regarding defense of Panama Canal BLACK chronological r ecord BLACK r e p o r t o f operat ions with a view t o support ing o r modifying s tandard procedure o r d o c t r i n e BLACK ind iv idua l r e p o r t s o f u n i t observers Track c h a r t showing d i s p o s i t i o n of BLACK F l e e t , Jan. 18-22, 1929 Track c h a r t showing disp'osit ion o f BLACK F l e e t from 0001 hours, Jan. 25, t o 0600 hours, Jan . 26, 1929 Track c h a r t showing d i s p o s i t i o n o f BLACK F l e e t f o r engagement on morning of Jan. 26, 1929 Track c h a r t showing BLACK plan of approach f o r i n i t i a l a t t a c k , Jan. 26, 1929 Track char t showing d i s p o s i t i o n of BLACK F lee t f o r a t t a c k , Jan. 27, 1929 BLACK c r i t i q u e of t h e problem

Roll - Description

q. BLUE statement of the problem r. BLUE estimate of the situation s. BLUE communication instructions t. BLUE chronological record u. BLUE report of operations with a view to

supporting or modifying standard procedure or doctrine

v. BLUE individual reports of ship observers w. Track chart showing disposition of BLUE

Fleet at 0600 hours, Jan. 24, 1929 x. Track chart showing movements and contacts

of BLUE Fleet from 0900 hours, Jan. 24, to 2400 hours, Jan. 25, 1929

y. Track chart of BLUE main body and contacts from 0001 hours, Jan. 26, to 0900 hours, Jan. 27, 1929

z . BLUE critique of the problem aa. Letter with enclosures from commandant, 15th

Naval District, regarding his cooperation Reports on communications

13 Fleet Problem X

CINCUS report, May 7, 1930 (published digest of report)

Correspondence regarding concept of and planning for the problem

BLACK estimate of the situation, with plans and orders

BLUE estimate of the situation, with plans and orders

Correspondence regarding communications Summary

Fleet Problem XI

CINCUS report, July 14, 1930 (published digest of report)

Letter regarding concept of the problem BLUE statement of the problem, with instructions,

orders, and organization BLACK statement of the problem, with instructions,

orders, and organization Correspondence regarding communications Summary

Roll - Description

Fleet Problem XI1

CINCUS report, Apr. 1, 1931 (published digest of report)

BLACK statement of the problem, with estimate of the situation, plans, orders, instructions, and organization

BLUE statement of the problem, with estimate of the situation, plans, orders, instructions, and organization

Messages from U.S. Fleet to Navy Department de- scribing conduct of the problem

Critique of the problem Correspondence regarding communications

14 Fleet Problem XI1 I

CINCUS report, May 23, 1932 (published digest of report)

Correspondence regarding concept of Fleet Problems XI11 and XIV

BLUE statement of the problem, with estimate of the situation, plans, orders, instructions, and organization

Senior umpire, BLUE, chronological record of events Commander, Aircraft Battle Force, report on opera-

tions of VS Squadron 2B and VS Squadron 14M with BLUE Fleet

BLACK statement of the problem, with estimate of the situation, plans, orders, instructions, and organization

Correspondence regarding communications

15 Fleet Problem XIV

CINCUS report, Apr. 20, 1933 (published digest of report)

Correspondence regarding concept of the problem Correspondence regarding preparations for and

conduct of the problem Correspondence regarding communications BLUE statement of the problem, with estimate of the

situation, plans, orders, instructions, and organization

BLACK statement of the problem, with estimate of the situation, plans, orders, instructions, and organization

Roll Description -

16 Fleet Problem XV

CINCUS repor t , June 1 , 1934 (published digest of report)

Correspondence regarding concept of t he problem correspondence regarding prep&at ions f o r and con-

duct of the problem Correspondence analyzing the problem correspondence regarding comm&ications U.S. F lee t , BLUE, GRAY, and BROWN statements of t he

problem, with est imates of t he s i t ua t i on , plans, orders, ins t ruc t ions , and organization for- Exercises L, M, and N

Commander, Ba t t le Force, and chief umpire repor t s on Exercise L (BLUE and BROWN)

Flag o f f i c e r ' s repor t s on Exercise M BLUE umpire's repor t s on Exercise M GRAY umpire's repor t s on Exercise M Flag o f f i c e r ' s and umpire's repor t s on Exercise N

Fleet Problem XVI

CINCUS repor t , Sept. 15, 1935 (enclosures a-v)

a . U.S. Fleet Operation Plan No. 1-35 b. CINCUS l e t t e r regarding t he par t ic ipa t ion

of Army troops i n t he Hawaiian area c. CINCUS l e t t e r regarding t he par t ic ipa t ion

of the Fleet Marine Force d. Sixth Marines, Fleet Marine Force, Operations

Order 1-35 e . Base Force Bullet ins 1-35 and 4-35 f . Report of c r i t i que a t San Diego g. Plans and orders f o r Phase One h. Reports on Phase One i. Plans and orders f o r Phase Two j . WHITE commander's repor t on Phase Two k. BLACK commander's report on Phase Two 1. WHITE plans and orders f o r Phase Three m. BLACK plans and orders f o r Phase Three n. WHITE commander's repor t on Phase Three

(part 1) o. WHITE commander's repor t on Phase Three

(par t I I ) p. BLACK commander's report on Phase Three q. Copies of e s sen t i a l dispatches regarding

Phase Three r. Orders f o r Phase Four s. Reports made t o CINCUS on Phase Four

Roll - Description

t. Reports on BLUE submarines during Phase Five u. P la tes showing operations of t he U.S. Fleet

during t he problem v. Informal c r i t i q u e

Fleet Problem XVII

Correspondence regarding t he concept of t he problem Correspondence regarding t he preparations f o r and

conduct of t he problem Comments on t he problem by pa r t i c ipa t i ng a i r c r a f t

commanders Correspondence regarding communications U.S. F lee t , BLUE, WHITE, GRAY, and GREEN statements

of t he problem, with estimates of t he s i t ua t i on , plans, orders , ins t ruc t ions , and organization

22 Fleet Problem XVIII

Correspondence regarding t he concept of and allotment of time f o r t he problem

U.S. F lee t , WHITE, and BLACK statements of t he problem, with est imates of t he s i t ua t i on , plans, orders , ins t ruc t ions , and organization

Narratives of events by commanders of BLACK u n i t s Narratives of events by commanders of WHITE u n i t s BLACK umpire repor t s WHITE umpire repor t s Comments and recommendations Correspondence regarding communications

Fleet Problem XIX

Correspondence regarding t he concept of t he problem Correspondence regarding t he preparat ions f o r and

- -

conduct of t he problem Correspondence regarding t he weather repor t system

used during t he problem U.S. F lee t , BLACK, WHITE, BLUE, F lee t Marine Force,

RED, EASTERN Flee t , WESTERN Flee t , GREEN, and PURPLE statements of the problem, with e s t i - mates of the s i t u a t i o n , orders , instruc- t i ons , and organization

Correspondence regarding communications

25 Fleet Problem XX

Correspondence regarding t he concept of t he problem Correspondence regarding t h e preparations f o r and

conduct of t he problem

Roll Description -

Correspondence regarding communications U.S. F lee t , WHITE, and BLACK statements of t he pro-

lem, with estimates of t he s i t ua t i on , plans, orders , ins t ruc t ions , and organization-

Force commander's comments and recommendations BLACK commander's na r r a t i ve of events BLACK task force, t ask group, d iv i s ion , and squadron

commandersf na r r a t i ve s of events and t rack cha r t s

BLACK ships operating independently nar ra t ives and t rack char t s

BLACK a i r c r a f t nar ra t ives and t rack char t s BLACK ship umpire r epo r t s BLACK d iv i s ion umpire repor t s BLACK a i r c r a f t umpire repor t s WHITE commander's na r r a t i ve of events

28 con., WHITE task force, t a sk group, d iv i s ion , squadron, and 29 ship commanders' nar ra t ives of events and t rack

cha& s 3 0 WHITE ships operating independently nar ra t ives and

t rack charts WHITE a i r c r a f t nar ra t ives and t rack char t s WHITE ship umpire repor t s WHITE d iv is ion umpire repor t s WHITE a i r c r a f t umpire repor t s

F lee t Problem X X I

Correspondence regarding the concept of t he problem Correspondence regarding the preparations f o r and

conduct of the problem U.S. F lee t , BLACK, WHITE, MAROON, PURPLE, GREEN,

and GRAY statements of t he problem, with estimates of t he s i t ua t i on , plans, orders , ins t ruc t ions , and organization

Reports, nar ra t ives of events, comments, and r e - commendations on Exercise 114

BLACK and WHITE commanders1 na r r a t i ve repor t s , with comments and recommendations on pa r t I 1

BLACK task force, d iv i s ion , squadron, and ship commanders' na r r a t i ve repor t s , with comments and recommendations on pa r t I 1

BLACK umpire repor t s on pa r t I 1 WHITE task force, d iv i s ion , squadron, and ship

commanders' na r r a t i ve r epo r t s , with t rack char t s , comments, and recommendations on pa r t I I

WHITE umpire repor t s on pa r t I 1 MAROON commander's na r r a t i ve repor t , with comments

and recommendations on p a r t VI

Roll - Description

34 MAROON task force, d iv is ion , squadron, and sh ip commanders1 nar ra t ive repor t s , with t rack char t s , comments, and recommendations on pa r t VI

MAROON umpire repor t s on pa r t VI PURPLE commanderls nar ra t ive repor t , with comments

and recommendations on pa r t VI PURPLE task force, d iv is ion , squadron, and sh ip

commanders' nar ra t ive repor t s , with t rack char t s , comments, and recommendations on pa r t VI

PURPLE umpire repor t s on pa r t VI Crit ique of the problem

Fleet Problem XXII

Correspondence regarding the concept of and planning f o r the problem

G S A DC 7 5 - 7 2 7 9