From: Vladivostok
To: Tokyo
3 July 1941
(Red)
#259
Report on recent naval
activities in this area.
Since the beginning of the
German-Soviet war the naval authorities here have tightened up on watch and are
engaged in naval preparations by enforcing various exercises to meet any eventuality.
However, naval exercises are limited to only one section of the force for there
are many ships which are undergoing repairs. Evidently the preparations are
intended for defense against Japan.
(1) Activities of the
fleet.
A part of the ERI type and
SICHA type submarines assigned to this area appear to be operating somewhere
else, for there are comparatively few submarines in port at present. However,
the remainder of submarines, the torpedo boat division mine layer division,
mine sweeper division, high speed torpedo craft division, etc. are still here
and are either undergoing repairs or are engaged in exercises. The first phase
of exercises ended with the basic maneuvers in early June and the 2nd phase is
already underway. Lately the departure of craft from the bay has become
infrequent but since the war, those craft which do go out seldom return, even
though it be Saturday or Sunday. Not only this, but planes of types SB, E15,
E16 and OFUBOOHU are quite active and it appears that they are engaged in
exercises with the fleet. However, the exercises appear to be greatly
handicapped by so many ships being placed under repairs.
19616
JD-1: 3709 (A) Navy Trans. 7-16-41 (3)
(EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 2 JAPANESE MESSAGES CONCERNING MILITARY INSTALLATIONS, SHIP MOVEMENTS, ETC.)