Records Pertaining to the Bombing of Kobe during World War II

Dear Jordan Lassiter:

Thank you for submitting your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) via email to
foia@nara.gov. We received your request on May 19, 2023. Your request
concerns *Records Pertaining to the Bombing of Kobe during World War II*.

Our office handles FOIA and Privacy Act requests for NARA’s operational records
(records created by this agency). Because your FOIA request is for records
that may be archival records (records created by or originated in a
different agency but that may have been transferred to the legal custody of
NARA), we are forwarding it by this email to our Office of Research
Services, Textual Reference (RR2RR) staff who handle FOIA requests for
textual archival records.

That office will assign your request a tracking number and respond directly
to you. In the future, if you need to follow up with that office directly,
please contact them at the address below, or electronically via email
(email is preferred).

National Archives and Records Administration
Research Services, Textual Reference Branch (RR2RR)
8601 Adelphi Road, Room 2400
College Park, MD 20740

Phone: 301-837-3091
Fax: 301-837-1752
Email: archives2reference@nara.gov

For your reference, a copy of your request is below.

Please visit our website at www.archives.gov/foia for further information
about making a FOIA request to NARA. On our main website,
www.archives.gov, you
can learn more about the resources we offer to the public, and you can
access our online catalog.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and pursuant to guidance received from the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA had adjusted its normal
operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work
while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of
our staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may
experience a delay in receiving a substantive response to your FOIA
request. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your
understanding and patience.

Sincerely,
Brewer Thompson
Deputy FOIA Officer/Archivist
National Archives and Records Administration
Office of General Counsel

Dear Jordan Lassiter:

This is in response to your Freedom of Information Act requesting official
military reports, planning documents, and after-action reviews related to
the Bombing of Kobe which occurred on occurred on March 16-17, 1945
including communications, memos, or letters involving military commanders
and personnel discussing the planning, execution, and aftermath of the
Bombing of Kobe. Additionally any photographs, maps, or other visual
materials produced or collected during the operation and records of any
investigations, inquiries, or tribunals associated with the Bombing of
Kobe. Your request was received in this office on May 23, 2022 with the
assigned control number 23-43580.

We conducted a search of our finding aids as well as NARA’s online catalog.
Your request could contain information in the following record groups
including but not limited to: Records of the Army Air Forces (Record Group
18), Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs (Record Group
165), and Records of the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey (Record Group 243).
These record groups contain thousands of pages.

Specific series of records related to your research are listed below.

Record Group 18

Entry NM-6 7-A

World War II Combat Operations Reports, 1941–1946

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/596339

These records are arranged by military unit.

Record Group 18

Entry NM-6 1

Confidential & Secret Decimal Correspondence File, 1945 - Oct. 1948

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/4667781

These records are arranged by the War Department Decimal Filing System. To
download a guide to this filing system please visit
https://www.archives.gov/files/research/guides/war-dept/decimal-file.pdf.

Record Group 165

Entry NM-84 418

Security Classified General Correspondence, 1942–1945

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/591836

These records are arranged by the War Department Filing System

Record Group 243

Microfilm Publication M1655 - U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey (Pacific):
Reports and Other Records, 1928-1947

Microfilm Publication M1652 - US Strategic Bombing Survey (Pacific):
Intelligence Library, 1932-1947

We make reasonable efforts to assist researchers with their work. As a
matter of policy, the National Archives is staffed to assist researchers
with their work, including but not limited to pointing researchers to
helpful finding aids to begin their research. However, given the
limitations on staff resources, we do not generally conduct substantive
research in response to requests filed under the Freedom of Information
Act, except in circumstances where documents are easily locatable.

We will be happy to make appropriate records available in our research
rooms should you have an opportunity to visit the National Archives. If you
are not able to visit you could also hire a researcher to conduct research
on your behalf. A list of private researchers who are familiar with
National Archives facilities is available on our web site at
https://www.archives.gov/research/hire-help/index.html.

The Textual Research Rooms at the National Archives in College Park, MD
(Archives 2) is now using Eventbrite to schedule research appointments for
the Textual Research Room and the Microfilm Reading Room.

We are scheduling visits no more than three months in advance as we are
closely monitoring local public health metrics due to the COVID-19
pandemic. Research room hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm.

Visit the Textual Research Room Appointments page
<https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/textual-research-room-appointments-487599> if
you are interested in accessing textual records. Visit the Microfilm
Reading Room Appointments page
<https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/microfilm-reading-room-appointments-578089> if
you are interested in viewing microfilm.

- Navigate to Upcoming Events and click on the desired date
- Click Register and complete the registration process

*If tickets for a particular room do not appear during registration,
appointments for that day are sold out. We recommend checking back in the
event of cancellations.

Please complete the online Researcher Orientation
<https://rise.articulate.com/share/uK5NGkSpg74JHLTOcGPmM4e94MJyxQgD#/> as
well as the online researcher registration form
<https://researchercommunity.force.com/securitycentral/s/kiosk-registration>
before
scheduling an appointment on Eventbrite.

We are forwarding your request to the Still Pictures Branch for any
photographs that they may have regarding your request. You will receive a
separate response from that office.

We are forwarding your request to the Cartographic Branch for any maps that
they may have regarding your request. You will receive a separate response
from that office.

We are forwarding your request to the Motion Pictures Branch for any visual
materials that they may have regarding your request. You will receive a
separate response from that office.

We do not consider this a denial of your FOIA request. However, if you are
not satisfied with our action on this request, your options for appeal and
dispute resolution are outlined in the attached enclosure. If you have any
questions, you may reach us at archives2reference@nara.gov.

This completes the processing of your request.

Sincerely,

SUZANNE ZOUMBARIS

Textual Reference Archives II Branch (RR2RR)

National Archives at College Park, MD

RR2RR 23-43580

EMAIL: requests@muckrock.com

6/16/2023

Jordan Lassiter

MuckRock News

DEPT MR 145986

263 Huntington Ave

Boston, MA 02115

Dear Jordan Lassiter,

I am writing in response to your Freedom of Information Act request of May
19th for records in the custody of the National Archives and Records
Administration. Your request was received in the Moving Image and Sound
Branch on June 6th and assigned FOIA tracking number 2346346. You requested
information regarding the bombing of Kobe during World War II.

We searched the Moving Image and Sound Branch’s records and finding aids
using the term Kobe, and located the following records related to your
request among the records of the US Army Air Forces (Record Group 18), the
Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer (Record Group 111), Records
of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations
<https://catalog.archives.gov/id/654> (Record Group 342), and General
Records of the Department of the Navy (Record Group 428):

- RAID ON KOBE, REVIEW OF MISSION- Local Identifier 18-CS-3425
<https://catalog.archives.gov/id/4914>
- B-29'S BOMB KOBE, JAPAN - Local Identifier: 18-CS-4046
<https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5299>
- B-29 BOMBINGS - Local Identifier: 111-ADC-10499
<https://catalog.archives.gov/id/24260>
- PHYSICAL DAMAGE, KOBE, JAPAN - Local Identifier: 342-USAF-11035
<https://catalog.archives.gov/id/64480>
- PHYSICAL DAMAGE, KOBE, JAPAN - Local Identifier: 342-USAF-11048
<https://catalog.archives.gov/id/64495>
- JAPANESE BEACHED , SUNK, AND DAMAGED SHIPPING - Local Identifier:
342-USAF-11051 <https://catalog.archives.gov/id/64499>
- AERIAL COVERAGE, CITIES AND EFFECT OF AERIAL MINES - Local Identifier:
342-USAF-11058 <https://catalog.archives.gov/id/64506>
- GUN CAMERA OF ATTACKS ON TOKYO BAY AND THE NAGOYA AREA - Local
Identifier: 428-NPC-2793 <https://catalog.archives.gov/id/76536>

Some of these items are available to be viewed and downloaded from the
catalog. I will outline ways to access the other records below.

For the records with an unsupported file type (the 342-USAF records), you
may still download the files from the catalog. They just do not play in the
catalog interface.

For the 18-CS-3425, we have a reference film print available for
researchers to access. You are welcome to schedule an appointment with the
Moving Image Branch at the National Archives at College Park and make a
copy of these items using our equipment. Research visits are by appointment
only. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please visit the NARA
at College Park, Moving Image & Sound Branch Eventbrite page
<https://www.eventbrite.com/o/nara-at-college-park-moving-image-amp-sound-branch-47491498583>.
Appointments are released up to three months in advance, and close a full
business day before the appointment date. For next operating day
appointments, please email mopix@nara.com

For the 18-CS-4046, we do not have a reference copy available to
researchers. In order to access it you will either need to order it from
our vendor as outlined below or you will need to request that we make a
reference copy.

The Moving Image and Sound Branch is currently piloting a service to accept
and fulfill requests online for new reference copies of our holdings to
offsite researchers. At this time, there will be no charge for this
service. In order to provide consistent and equitable service within the
allowances of our policies, technology and staffing, we are setting a limit
of five reels per researcher or research team per month, addressed on a
first come first served basis in the order received. If an item consists of
multiple reels or tapes, each reel or tape will be counted individually
among the five.

All requestors are required to register as National Archives researchers.
If you are not currently registered, please follow these two steps:.

1.

Complete the online Researcher Orientation
<https://rise.articulate.com/share/uK5NGkSpg74JHLTOcGPmM4e94MJyxQgD#/>.
2.

Complete the separate registration form here:
https://researchercommunity.force.com/securitycentral/s/kiosk-registration
<https://researchercommunity.force.com/securitycentral/s/kiosk-registration>

You will not receive your researcher number automatically. We will need to
review and approve your registration. When you have completed the
registration, please email mopix@nara.gov and confirm you have completed
both steps. We will approve your registration, and send you your researcher
card number.

Once your registration is complete, please submit your request by entering
up to five reels of choice on the attached form. Please see the attached
General Notice and Use Statement for additional information.

If you are unable to visit NARA in person, you may wish to hire a
professional researcher to assist you. A list of experienced professionals
is made available as a courtesy on NARA's web site here
<https://www.archives.gov/research/hire-help/media.html?format=motion-pictures>
.

The final method of receiving copies would be to go through a vendor. Going
through a vendor is what we recommend if you want to get broadcast quality
copies. For this method, you will fill out an IARL form and send that into
mopix@nara.gov. We will review the information and send it back to you once
it has been approved. Once you have the approved form, you may contact one
of our certified vendors
<https://www.archives.gov/research/motion-pictures/vendors>. Once you have
chosen a vendor, the vendor then will contact us to order the films and
make a copy of the film in the format that you request. They will then send
that new copy to you. We advise screening a reference copy before placing
an order through the vendor system, as legacy descriptions may contain
errors.

I have linked our page with more detailed instructions on ordering from the
vendors here
<https://www.archives.gov/research/motion-pictures/broadcast-quality>.

Effective November 1 2021, the Moving Image and Sound Branch is accepting
Item Approval Request Lists (IARL) Form (NA 14110) and reproduction orders.
Requests will be addressed in the order received, and orders will be filled
with some notable limitations in place as detailed in the attached
notification. Instructions for submitting your requests are available on
our website here
<https://www.archives.gov/research/motion-pictures/order-copies-of-motion-pictures-sound-recordings-and-video>.
Services are subject to change based on local health metrics, and we
appreciate your patience as we progress through NARA's planned reentry.

Additional information regarding the National Archives response to the
coronavirus public health emergency, and updates on our status can be found
here: https://www.archives.gov/coronavirus and here:
https://www.archives.gov/research/motion-pictures

Please be aware that more extensive research may be able to locate
additional content. We invite you to search our online catalog, visit us,
or hire a researcher to help with this additional research. If any of the
records described in the catalog interest you, please be sure to note the
Local Identifier Number. The Local Identifier Number is the number that the
Motion Picture, Sound and Video staff use to locate and identify our films
and will be the number you use to order any films if you choose to do so.

None of these records are restricted or classified in any way, so no
further FOIA review should be necessary. This concludes the processing of
your request. If you have additional questions, please contact me directly.

If you are not satisfied with our action on this request, you have the
right to file an administrative appeal within ninety (90) calendar days
from the date of this letter. Appeals must be in writing and may be
delivered by regular U.S. mail or by e-mail. By filing an appeal, you
preserve your rights under the Freedom of Information Act and present the
deciding agency with an opportunity to review your request and reconsider
its decision. If you submit your appeal by regular mail, it should be
addressed to the Deputy Archivist of the United States (ND), National
Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 4200, College
Park, Maryland 20740-6001. Both the letter and envelope should be clearly
marked “FOIA Appeal.” If you submit your appeal by e-mail, please send it
to foia@nara.gov, addressed to the Deputy Archivist, with the words “FOIA
Appeal” in the subject line. Please be certain to explain why you believe
this response does not meet the requirements of the Freedom of Information
Act. All communications concerning this request should reference FOIA
tracking number 2346346.

If you would like the opportunity to discuss our response and attempt to
resolve your dispute without initiating the appeals process, you may
contact our FOIA Public Liaison for assistance:

Acting FOIA Public Liaison: Rebecca Calcagno

8601 Adelphi Road, Room 5500

College Park, MD 20740-6001

Email: DC.foia.liaison@nara.gov

Telephone: 301-837-3190

You may also contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS),
the Federal FOIA Ombudsman’s office, for assistance. OGIS offers mediation
services to help resolve disputes between FOIA requesters and Federal
agencies. The contact information for OGIS is:

Office of Government Information Services

National Archives and Records Administration

8601 Adelphi Road–OGIS

College Park, MD 20740-6001

Email: ogis@nara.gov

https://www.archives.gov/ogis

Phone: 202-741-5770 or 1-877-684-6448

Sincerely,

Nick Schwartz

Archivist

Moving Image and Sound Branch

*Nicholas Schwartz*
Archivist
Research Services (Motion Pictures)
National Archives and Records Administration

Dear Jordan Lassiter,

I am writing in response to your Freedom of Information Act request sent on
May 19, 2023 for records in the custody of the National Archives and
Records Administration. Your request was received in this office on June 6,
2023 and has been assigned the FOIA Case Number 23-46425.

Your request indicated that you are interested in photographs related to
the bombing of Kobe, Japan during the World War II period. We conducted a
search within our holdings and in the National Archives Catalog
<https://catalog.archives.gov/> and have located images within multiple
series and record groups.

Examples include:

342-FH <https://catalog.archives.gov/id/542351> – our main Air Force series
for that period which includes these 24 images
<https://catalog.archives.gov/search?q=Kobe%20bombing&recordGroupNumber=342&referenceUnits=%22National%20Archives%20at%20College%20Park%20-%20Still%20Pictures%22&typeOfMaterials=Photographs%20and%20other%20Graphic%20Materials>
that have been digitized and made available in the National Archives
Catalog.

80-G <https://catalog.archives.gov/id/520587> – our main Navy series for
that period that includes these 3 items
<https://catalog.archives.gov/search?q=Kobe&recordGroupNumber=80&referenceUnits=%22National%20Archives%20at%20College%20Park%20-%20Still%20Pictures%22&typeOfMaterials=Photographs%20and%20other%20Graphic%20Materials>
that will be digitized and made available in the online catalog in the near
future.

111-SC <https://catalog.archives.gov/id/530707> – our main Army series for
that period that includes these 3 albums
<https://catalog.archives.gov/search-within/531473?q=kobe> with photos of
Kobe.

208-AA <https://catalog.archives.gov/id/535523> – our main Office of War
Information series for that period includes these 3 file units
<https://catalog.archives.gov/search?q=kobe&recordGroupNumber=208&referenceUnits=%22National%20Archives%20at%20College%20Park%20-%20Still%20Pictures%22&typeOfMaterials=Photographs%20and%20other%20Graphic%20Materials>
of photos related to Kobe.

Record Group 243
<https://catalog.archives.gov/search-within/570?levelOfDescription=series&referenceUnits=%22National%20Archives%20at%20College%20Park%20-%20Still%20Pictures%22>
– the records of the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey that include these 2
file units
<https://catalog.archives.gov/search?q=kobe&recordGroupNumber=243&referenceUnits=%22National%20Archives%20at%20College%20Park%20-%20Still%20Pictures%22&typeOfMaterials=Photographs%20and%20other%20Graphic%20Materials>
of photos related to Kobe.

While these series may not be fully available on the National Archives
Catalog, all are available to be accessed on-site in the Still Picture
Branch Research Room.

Due to limitations on staff resources, we do not generally conduct in-depth
research in response to requests filed under the Freedom of Information
Act. The photographic collections within our holdings that could hold the
records that you seek are open to the public and available in our research
room. We invite you or a representative to visit us in College Park,
Maryland to review and make copies. If you would like to schedule a Still
Picture Research Room appointment, please visit
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/national-archives-at-college-park-still-pictures-48193105693,
and you may email consultation.stillpix@nara.gov with any questions.
Alternatively if you are unable to visit, you may wish to hire an
independent researcher <https://www.archives.gov/research/hire-help> to
search for and copy images on your behalf.

This completes the processing of your request. If you have any questions,
the Still Picture Reference Team will be happy to assist you. Written
inquiries may be directed to the Still Picture Reference Team, RRSS, Room
5360, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road,
College Park, Maryland 20740-6001. Our phone number is 301-837-0561 and
fax 301-837-3621. We can also be reached by email at stillpix@nara.gov.

We do not consider this a denial of your FOIA request. However, if you are
not satisfied with our action on this request, your options for appeal and
dispute resolution are outlined in the attached document.

Sincerely,

Todd Crumley

Still Picture Branch (RRSS)

National Archives and Records Administration