With the Fleet at hand, they can be developed for use as seaplane
 
and submarine bases for the support of an attack on real islands
 
such as Ponape and Truk. With the Fleet permanently absent,
 
they will succumb to any serious thrust.
 
     Our first real Marshall-Caroline objective is Truk,
 
a magnificent harbor, relatively easily defended against raids,
 
and capable of conversion into an admirable advanced base. When
 
we get this far in the accomplishment of the "Orange Plan",  we
 
have the site for a base where we can begin to assemble our
 
ships, stores, and troops, for further advance toward the
 
Philippines. It would also become the center of the defense
 
system for the lines of communications against flank attack
 
from Japan.
 
     Getting to Truk involves a strong effort. We would
 
incur losses from aircraft, mines and submarines, particularly
 
as the latter could be spared from the operations in Malaysia.
 
We would lose many troops in assaulting the islands.
 
     Going beyond Truk initiates the most difficult part
 
of the Orange Plan, would take a long time, and would require
 
the maximum effort which the United States could sustain.
 
     Truk is not looked upon as a satisfactory final
 
geographical objective. It is too far away to support useful
 
                              -11-