Pastel: Deception in the Invasion of Japan

Combat Studies Institute [Published Date: 1988]. Paper covers, 55 pp. In very good condition. Yellow paper covers with brown lettering. Light bumping and creasing to edges of covers and light overall scuffing. Binding tight (staple bound). Pages clean and unmarked. NOT Ex-Library. NO remainder marks. Black and white illustrations. In 1945, to end the Pacific war, American strategic plans foresaw an invasion of Japan's heavily defended home islands. Operations Olympic and Coronet, America's proposed landings on Kyushu and the Tokyo Plain, were the largest amphibious invasions ever planned. Although precluded by war's end, preparations for both were extensive. To gain the element of surprise, Washington and theater planners developed Operations Pastel and Coronet Deception operations designed to convey to the Japanese a false story of where the actual assault landings would occur. In this document the author reveals the contents, origins, and effects of these two comprehensive, coordinated deception plans as they related to the scheduled invasion of Japan. He also provides the Japanese perceptions as the plans unfolded. This special study reminds us of the vital role of deception in operational planning. …