[162] Communication Intelligence Summary, 23
November 1941
General.-Traffic volume normal. High precedence traffic has increased. Some of the high precedence dispatch headings
are listed:
1. MAYURU (Tokyo address) to HORONO MUSEKU (Collective Shore
Information Chiefs of Staff Combined, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and Southern
Expeditionary Force. Precedence NIKA-WIWI
2. Third Fleet Chief of Staff to Second Fleet Chief of Staff
Information Combined and Southern Expeditionary Force Chief of Staff. NIKA
3. KESANA EONO (Tokyo) to Chiefs of Staff Third Fleet and Southern Expeditionary
Force. Information "SANKUYUTI" at Sama Hainan. WIWI
4. SUIFITE 1 (Unidentified Fleet unit) to Radio Takao, Hainan, Flagship
NWA 2, Information Tadio Tokyo and Second Fleet flagship. NIKA
5. Imakuni [sic] Air to Iwakuni Air Detachment at NAHA Information
Kure, Bako, and MINO 3 in Takao. KIU
Personnel Tokyo also originated several priority dispatches to First Fleet Third Fleet, and others. The following
WE address was followed by Sasebo Radio
in the delivery of a personnel Bureau dispatch "SAHOTI.RENGO.RI.SI." An unidentified fleet unit (SUTE
1) listed recently in Kure appeared on
radio circuit with Takao Radio. Also on this circuit were the following:
KENU 3-CruDiv 7 Flagship?
HOWI 2-Fleet unit associated with Second Fleet.
EKE 8-Fleet unit associated with Second Fleet.
MUSE 5-Naval Auxiliary associated with Second Fleet.
The above units received delivery of the long NIKA dispatch originated by CinC Second Fleet on the 21st of November
and which appeared to outline the
forces expected to operate in the Indo-China general area. Combined Fleet.-CinC Combined was included,
as always, in all exchange of fleet
commander traffic, but no important messages originated by him were inter-
Page 74
cepted. First Fleet was very quiet. Second Fleet messages mentioned in summaries of 22nd were still being circulated
but Third Fleet appeared as the most
active unit in today's traffic. Indications are that Third Fleet units are underway [163] in a movement coordinated with the Second Fleet, Combined Air Force and French
Indo China Force. Commander French Indo
China Force (So. Exp. For.) was included in all important traffic from Second, Third and Combined Air
Commanders, Hainan addressees were
included in nearly all high precedence messages concerning these forces and may indicate a rendezvous of forces in
that area. Palao appeared as an
information addressee on a portion of the traffic. Fourth Fleet activity involved Palao area on one end and Marshalls on the other. With no means of
substantiating the impression, it is
believed that more submarines are operating in, or from, the Marshalls than it has been possible to
definitely place from radio interceptions.
It is recalled that there was an exchange between Staff Communication Officers of the Submarine Force
and Fourth Fleet with Jaluit included
as either action or information around November 1st and that Jaluit opened a direct circuit to
Yokosuka early this month, apparently
to relieve traffic congestion from that area. Jaluit Radio has been heard on various frequencies using
and working with units using tactical
or secret type calls, while the main submarine frequency of 6385/12770 has been relatively inactive.
Air.-Combined Air Traffic remains associated with Taiwan area, while
the Mandate Air units continue high
level of activity, covering the whole Mandate
area. Carrier Divisions were relatively quiet, but with Carrier Division Three definitely associated with
Second Fleet operations.
China-CinC. China and South China not included with the Second, Third Air Force and Southern Expeditionary Force
traffic and were quiet. Bearings from
Cavite and Guam place CinC. South China east of Taiwan, but this is believed questionable.
Nothing was seen to contradict impressions gathered during the past few
days and summarized previously, that
movement of forces is either imminent
or actually underway, at least in part, to the southward, with covering forces operating from the Mandates,
and possibility of a striking force
assembled or gathering in the Palao area.
(FROM: U.S. CONGRESS JOINT COMMITTEE ON PEARL
HARBOR ATTACK HEARINGS; PT. 35, THE
CLAUSEN INVESTIGATION, PP. 62-81. EXHIBIT "A" DAILY COMMUNICATION
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARIES)