Battle of Okinawa

English: The Battle of Okinawa, fought on the island of Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands (south of the four big islands of Japan) was the largest amphibious assault during the Pacific campaign of World War II.

Deutsch: Die Schlacht um Okinawa vom 1. April 1945 bis zum 30. Juni 1945 im Zweiten Weltkrieg war der letzte japanische Versuch, den US-amerikanischen Vormarsch in Richtung Mutterland zu stoppen und mit koordinierten Selbstmordattacken der US-Pazifikflotte einen entscheidenden Schlag zu versetzen.

日本語: 沖縄戦。第二次世界大戦末期の1945年3月26日から6月23日ごろまで、日本国沖縄県で主に行われた戦闘。アメリカ軍と日本軍が戦闘を行い、アメリカ軍が沖縄を占領して終結した。Okinawa Prefectureも参照。

العربية: معركة أوكيناوا (أبريل 1945) واحدة من أعنف معارك المحيط الهادئ خلال الحرب العالمية الثانية، دارت رحاها على جزيرة أوكيناوا ضمن حملة الحلفاء على مجموعة جزر ريوكيو وشهدت أكبر إنزال برمائي في مسرح عمليات المحيط الهادئ.

Maps, diagrams and aerial views

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  Okinawa, Plan for Initial Attack
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  Aerial view of Tokashiki Island (Okinawa)
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  Diagram of a typical defense system on the face of Iegusugu Pinnacle.
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  A Marine observation plane flies low over Naha, capital of Okinawa.
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  Tombstone Ridge Area (photographed 10 July 1945)
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  Heaviest fighting took place on the eastern end of the island, where the town of Ie can be seen between southern beaches and the Pinnacle.
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  Battlefront at 1 April 1945
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  Battlefront at 15 April 1945
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  Battlefront at 1 May 1945
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  Battlefront at 15 May 1945
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  Battlefront at 1 June 1945
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  Battlefront at 15 June 1945

Commanders

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  Japaness Commanders on Okinawa (photographed early in February 1945). In center: (1) Admiral Minoru Ota, (2) Lt. Gen. Mitsuru Ushijima, (3) Lt. Gen. Isamu Cho, (4) Col. Hitoshi Kanayama, (5) Col. Kikuji Hongo, and (6) Col. Hiromichi Yahara.
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  American commanders in Operation Iceberg: Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, and Lt. Gen. Simon B. Buckner
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  Simon B. Buckner, Commanding General, Tenth Army (foreground), holding camera, photographed while observing action on the Marine front during the latter part of the campaign. With him, holding walking stick, is Major General Lemuel C. Shepperd, Jr., Commanding General, 6th Marine Division
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  In early April, Tenth Army commander LtGen Simon B. Buckner, Jr., USA, left, and Marine MajGen Roy S. Geiger, Commanding General, III Amphibious Corps, met to discuss the progress of the campaign. Upon Buckner's death near the end of the operation, Geiger was given command of the army and a third star.
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  This is the last photograph taken of LtGen Simon B. Buckner, Jr., USA, right, before he was killed on 18 June, observing the 8th Marines in action on Okinawa for the first time since the regiment entered the lines in the drive to the south.

Air attacks

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  Corsair fighter looses its load of rocket projectiles on a run against a Japanese stronghold on Okinawa. In the lower background is the smoke of battle as Marine units move in to follow up with a Sunday punch. ca. June 1945
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  Fire bombing in northern Okinawa aided the advance in northern Okinawa. A Marine fighter plane (F4U) has flown low and dropped its fire bomb on an enemy-held slope in the rugged north.

Sea attacks

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  USS Bunker Hill hit by two Kamikazes in 30 seconds on 11 May 1945 off Kyushu
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  Burning USS Bunker Hill

Land fighting

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  Amphibious tractors spill Marines and supplies on the beach of Ibeya, a tiny island in the Ryukyu chain, northwest of Okinawa. Landing without opposition on June 3rd, Leathernecks of the eighth regimental combat team lost no time in securing the island
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  LANDINGS IN THE KERAMAS, made by the 77th Division, met little opposition. Zamani Island (above) was taken by the 1st BLT, 305th Infantry, some soldiers of which are shown just before the started inland. Amtracks were unable to negotiate the seawall and were left at the beach. Below is a scene on a beach at Tokashiki, captured by the 1st BLT, 306th, on 27 March 1945. Soldier (right) seems puzzled by the absence of opposition.
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  Okinawa's Landscape in the south is marked by fields of grain and vegetables, broken only by humps of coral, farmhouses, and villages. Navy plane flying over such terrain is shown dropping supplies to the last fast-moving American troops early in the campaign
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  Marines of the US 10th Army in camouflage battle dress storm out of a landing craft to establish a beachhead, March 31, 1945 on Okinawa, largest of the Ryukyu (Loochoo) Islands, 375 miles from Japan
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  The Invasion of Ie Shima was well prepared but met considerable opposition. Assault boats approach the island as supporting shell fire is lifted from the beaches and moved inland.
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  Okinawa - shelling of a japanese hidden cave
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  Absence of enemy opposition to the landings made the assault seem like a large-scale maneuver as troops left their craft and quickly consolidated. Other waves followed closely.
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  Supplying and developing the beachhead had by L plus 3 made substantial progress. Supply ships were run in to the reef's edge, where they unloaded into trucks or amphibian vehicles.
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  Okinawa - American landing-coast 13 April 1945
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  XXIV Corps turns south on April and meets greater opposition. Antitank gunners of the 383d Infantry, 96th Division, fire at Japanese positions in the Mashiki area, the approaches to Cactus Ridge.
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  On the Ginowan road, men and armor of the 382d Infantry, 96th Division, move through a wooded area, alert for concealed enemy positions.
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  US Marine demolition crew destroys a cave.
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  US Marine artillery fires on night of May 11.
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  Kakazu Gorge from the saddle between Kakazu Ridge and Kakazu West, giving an idea of its depth. Path shown was used by the 381st Infantry, 96th Division, to reach Kakazu hills. (Photo taken some time after action.)
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  Wounded soldier receives treatment aboard hospital ship.
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  Pushing to Yae-Take, infantrymen of the 6th Marine Division pause on a mountain top while artillery shells a Japanese position.
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  A group of marines makes its way up a hillside, probing cave openings and watching for Japanese to show themselves.
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  Marine rifleman takes cover in a cave in June.
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  Ie and the southern beaches viewed from directly over the Pinnacle.
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  The attack on bloody ridge of 20 April was marked by severe fighting. During the fighting on Bloody Ridge two medium tanks were knocked out by Japanese artillery fire from the Pinnacle.
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  Machinato inlet, seen shortly after the action of 19 April. Three Weasels on the road (left) were knocked out. In background (left) Buzz Bomb Bowl slopes up to Urasoe-Mura Escarpment.
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  Tank-borne infantry moving up to take the town of Ghuta
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  Opening action, 19 April, was the crossing of Machinato Inlet on footbridge in the early morning.
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  Supporting artillery on 19 April included this 8-inch howitzer unit, one of the first used against the Japanese in the Pacific fighting.
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  Japanese Fortification at Okinawa - 12-cm British gun in concrete emplacement
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  Japanese Fortification at Okinawa - concrete pillbox in hillside
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  US Marines walk past a dead Japanese soldier.
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  Two US Marines and an Okinawan child share a foxhole
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  A U.S. Marine sprints across a draw on May 10.
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  Japanese Fortification at Okinawa - reverse-slope caves, two levels
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  A few yards behind the front lines on Okinawa, fighting men of the US Armys 77th Infantry division listen to radio reports of Germanys surrender on May 8, 1945
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  US AA fire directed at suspected Japanese air attackers.
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  Blowtorch-flame sears a Japanese-held cave
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  Corkscrew-demolition team runs from cave blast
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  Fighting toward Hill 89, tanks of the 769th Tank Battalion attack a bypassed Japanese strong point.
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  On top of Yaeju-Dake 18 June, 96th Division infantrymen probe hidden enemy pockets. Yellow cloth (right) marks the front lines for American bombers and fighters.
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  Overcoming the last resistance on Okinawa was aided by propaganda leaflets, one of which is being read by a prisoner awaiting transportation to the rear. Many civilians gave up at the same time.
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  Japanese prisoner of war.
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  At numerous points, however, severe fighting continued. Tanks are shown reducing an enemy position. Center tank was knocked out but was protected from capture by others. Shell burst mark location of Japanese.
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  A group of japanese prisoners who preferred capture to suicide. They are waiting to be questioned by American officers.
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  A Marine of the 1st Marine Division draws a bead on a Japanese sniper with his tommy-gun as his companion ducks for cover. The division is working to take Wana Ridge before the town of Shuri
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  A tank sunk in 5 feet of water waits for towing equipment. Okinawa. 05/1945
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  On the flank of a battle-wrecked alligator the Okinawa sun casts the shadows of 6th Division Marines as they move in to mop up the southern tip of the island. 1945
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  Marines use a flamethrower to "clean" holes during the Battle of Okinawa, 1945.
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  A heavily armed Marine assault team moves out on Okinawa. Spring 1945.
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  A patrol of the 6th MarDiv searches the ruins of Naha, Okinawa looking for Japanese snipers. Spring 1945.
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  Marines from 1st Marine Division ford a muddy jungle steam in the South Pacific during World War II - Okinawa.
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  Injured troop evacuated from the front lines by a tank.
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  90mm anti-aircraft gun on Okinawa, July, 1945.
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  US Army soldier gets a haircut in the field near Shuri, June 10.
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  Okinawan civilians during the battle.
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  US Flag raised over Shuri castle on Okinawa. Braving Japanese sniper fire, US Marine Lieutenant Colonel R.P. Ross, Jr. places on American flag on a parapet of Shuri castle on May 29, 1945
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  Raising the american flag on Okinawa on 22 June denoted the end of organized resistance.
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  Marine fighter pilot on Okinawa.
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  Japanese surrender in the Ryukyu Islands, 7 Sep 1945.