Battle of Okinawa
Biggest of the Pacific Island Battles of WW2
Key Info
This battle involved about 287,000 American troops VS. 130,000 Japanese soldiers. The capture of Okinawa was part of a three-point plan the Americans had for winning the war in the Far East. During the event, the Japanese used a mass air attack by planes to defend themselves from the Americans attempted raid. The goal of the battle was to destroy the Japanese merchant fleet and use airships to launch bombs on the island.
Sea Raid
Since Okinawa is an island of Japan, the Americans only had the sea as one the options of transportation.
Mass Air Attacks
As a response to being attacked, the Japanese used aerial attacks as defense.
Civilians
A mass bloodletting bloodletting, both land and sea, of both the civilian population and the military, was the net result of Okinawa,
Quote
"It was a scene straight out of hell. There is no other way to describe it." (Higa Tomiko) 7 year old surviver
Outcome
Both commanding generals on both sides died. America: Simon B. Buckner by artillery fire; Japan: Ushijima Misturu by suicide.
Americans: 12373 killed; 32056 wounded
Japanese: 107000 killed; 7400 taken as prisoners
Long Lasting Impact
The Battle of Okinawa was known to be one of the bloodiest and the most deadly of the Pacific wars. This being stated, the impact of the war leaves Japan with a silence of infamy. The day id still remembered in the country, but silently spoken of in history book due to the ironically great relationship we have with Japan today.