WAR DEPARTMENT
            OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF
                        WASHINGTON
 
                        February 13, 1942
 
      MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT:
 
Subject: Seacoast Artillery Defense of the
                 Outlying Islands of the Hawaiian
                 Group.
 
     1.  The following information is furnished reference seacoast
 artillery armament actual and proposed for the outlying islands
 of the Hawaiian Group:
 
          We have no fixed or mobile seacoast artillery defenses on
 any of the islands of the Hawaiian Group other than Oahu, nor
 are there any projected.
 
     2.  The planned defenses of the outlying islands provide for 
defense against air and surface raids and protection of the airfields
 thereon from air and ground attack and sabotage.  The inclusion of
 adequate seacoast defense artillery, major attack would be uneconomical
 in that it would immobilize a large number of troops and materiel; also
 the proper maintenance of these forces would require an excessive
 amount of shipping not available at this time.  The forces projected
 are believed adequate to protect the islands against anything except
 a major attack. These forces comprise antiaircraft artillery, infantry,
 tanks and field artillery.  The field artillery consists of 105 mm. and 
155 mm. howitzers which are suitable for beach defense.
 
  
 
                                                                     Chief of Staff