Which two operations formed the planned Allied invasion known as Operation Downfall?

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Operation Olympic and Operation Coronet formed the planned Allied invasion known as Operation Downfall.

Olympic was the first phase, aimed at the southern part of Kyūshū. It was scheduled to begin on November 1, 1945, using Okinawa as an important staging area. After securing bases and territory, the Allies planned to move to the second phase.

Coronet was intended to invade the Kantō Plain around Tokyo on Honshū in spring 1946. It would have followed Olympic and required a very large concentration of troops, ships, aircraft, and supplies. Together, the two operations represented the proposed campaign to defeat Japan by invading its main islands.

The terms are sometimes confused with Japanese plans. Ketsugō was Japan’s planned defense of Kyūshū, while Pastel was an Allied deception plan designed to support Olympic. Downfall itself was canceled when Japan accepted surrender terms in August 1945.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Oct. 2026

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