XIV.
DISPATCHES CONCERNING REINFORCEMENT OF WAKE AND MIDWAY
On
November 26, 1941, a dispatch (Exhibit 40) was sent by the Chief of Naval
Operations to CincPac stating that the Army had offered to make available some
units of infantry for reenforcing defense battalions now on station, if Admiral
Kimmel considered that desirable; also, that the Army proposed to prepare, in
Hawaii, garrison troops for advance bases which Admiral Kimmel might occupy,
but was unable to provide any antiaircraft units. Admiral Kimmel was instructed
to take this into consideration and advise when practicable the number of
troops desired and recommended armament.
Also
on November 26, 1941, another dispatch (Exhibit 18) was sent to CincPac, which
stated that in order to keep the planes of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing
available for expeditionary use, OPNAV had requested the Army, and the Army had
agreed, to station twenty‑five Army pursuits at Midway and a similar
number at Wake, provided CincPac considered this feasible and desirable; that
it would be necessary for CincPac to transport these planes and ground crews
from Oahu to these stations on aircraft carriers, and that the planes would be
flown off at destination; that ground personnel would be landed in boats and
essential spare parts, tools and ammunition would be taken in the carrier or
on later
trips of regular Navy
supply vessels; that the Army understood that these forces must be quartered in
tents; that the Navy must be responsible for supplying water and subsistence
and transporting other Army supplies; that the stationing of these planes must
not be allowed to interfere with planned movements of Army bombers to the
Philippines; and, that additional parking areas should be laid promptly if
necessary. A question was raised as to whether or not Navy bombs at outlying
positions could be carried by Army bombers which might fly to those positions
in order to support Navy operations. CincPac was directed to confer with the
Commanding General and advise as soon as practicable.