Japanese Navy Ships' Data Book, Office of Naval Intelligence 1942, ONI 14

Here is an original WWII restricted intelligence document published by the Office of Naval Intelligence of the US Navy: Japanese Navy Ships Data Book, May 1942. The books is labeled as from the Office of Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), which at the time was also COMINCH (Commander in Chief), the infamous Ernest J. King.

This 8.5 inch by 14 inch, 192-page reference manual provides the information known regarding the combatant vessels of the Japanese Navy as of May 23,1942; information needed by US armed forces in the Pacific at the time. The Battle of Midway occurred just 2 weeks later, so we wonder if this data book arrived in the hands of the US Naval forces at Midway in time. Regardless, given the results of the battle, some deletions from the book were required!

The book covers Japanese aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, submarines, auxiliaries, and other ships of the time.  For each ship or ship type, data is provided on size, offensive power, defensive characteristics, speed and radius, engineering (power plant), searchlights, and crew complement, as well as photos and/or drawings and deck plans. 

The book is in very good condition given its age. One page has been marked up with colored pencil, apparently by someone's grandchild we assume, but all other pages are in very good shape.