The Battle of Okinawa ends

On this day 80 years ago, the final battle of World War II, the Battle of Okinawa came to the conclusion. The “Stars and Stripes” was played, and the American flag rose above the tenth military headquarters in Camp Couway to mark the end of the largest and bloodiest conflict in the Pacific Theater. It lasted for more than 80 days, according to Okinawa Peace Memorial Parkkilling more than 200,000 people, of which 150,000 were estimated to be civilians, although estimates vary.

Background of the Battle of Okinawa

Okinawa is seen as the last obstacle between the US military and the Japanese empire, Operation failed – Proposed Allied plans to invade the Japanese archipelago. First, though, they needed to capture Iwo Jima (now known for its pre-war name, iwo), as this will provide them with important airports to bomb Japan and protect the invading right wing of Okinawa. The U.S. military landed on the island on February 19, 1945.

Just a month later, on March 26, the U.S. commander announced the battle of Iwo Jima, and the island was guaranteed. On the same day, the Allied forces invaded the Kerama Islands, 40 kilometers west of the Okinawa Mainland, and successfully captured the small islands before March 29. This led to mass suicides, as the Japanese imperial army was reportedly brainwashed by civilians to the point of thinking that their lives were better than being captured.

“U.S. Army Arrives on Beaches in Okinawa”, April 1945 | Wikimedia Commons

US troops landed on the beach in Hagushi Bay

April 1 – Easter Sunday – More than 50,000 U.S. troops arrived at Hagushi Beach (also known as Toguchi Beach) on the west coast of Okinawa. Most of the soldiers landed on the island were from the 10th U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps. The unit was made by Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.

They expect a cruel battle by the water. However, the Japanese military decided to change its strategy and instead mapped the U.S. military inland. Five days after the ship arrived, Japan launched the first of a series of Kamikaz attacks. This is the beginning of Kikusui’s operation. Nearly 2,000 aircraft were deployed in the mass suicide attacks during the Battle of Okinawa, killing thousands of sailors and sinking 36 Allied troops.

“The U.S. Army Advance”, May 1945 | Wikimedia Commons

Hacksaw Ridge

The most brutal battle in Okinawa can be said to have occurred on the cliff of Meda, also known as hacksaw ridge. Steep, jagged cliffs with caves, tunnels and a network of holes, are Japan’s enhanced defensive positions. The U.S. attacks began on April 26 and lasted for less than two weeks. It is reported that about 2,500 Americans and many Japanese troops died twice as much in the battle.

The battle is most memorable because of depression and the heroic behavior of Medic Desmond Doss. On May 5, Japanese troops rushed the US troops in an assault on the top of the cliff. Most soldiers retreated quickly. However, Doss violated the order and remained the same with the injured. Although not carrying a weapon. Despite the numbers vary, Doss saved the lives of at least 75 soldiers. The next day, the United States captured the Meda Cliff.

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Shuri Castle

After securing the Hacksaw Ridge, the U.S. troops continued to move southward, until mid-May (now part of the city of Naha). This is a key location, as the Imperial Japanese army set up headquarters under the castle there. Despite the long, tough, deadly obstacles reaching the castle on the protected ridge, the U.S. military managed to launch a ruthless attack once it arrived. Starting from May 25, the Mississippi State (BB41) warship bombarded the castle for three days. With the shooting of the fortress, the Japanese army began to retreat.

According to a historic army account“It is estimated that about 200,000 artillery and naval gunfire attacked Shuri. Many air strikes dropped 1,000 pounds of bombs on it. Thousands of mortar shells entered the town area.” On May 29, Allied War Flag It is raised to indicate the capture of the Shuri Castle. Three days later, it was removed and replaced with the American flag.

“A naval rifleman believes the result of the U.S. bombing on Naha. The structural bones are left, with a population of 66,000 before the invasion.” | Wikimedia Commons

Mobilize teenagers

As the Japanese army fled from Shuri, non-combatants Okinawa civilians were left to themselves for support. It is estimated that about one-quarter of the non-military population in Okinawa has been killed during the conflict. “You have the Battle of Britain, your pilots protect the British people. We have the Battle of Okinawa, and that’s the opposite. The Japanese army not only starved the Okinawans to death, but also used them as shields for humanity.” explain Officials of the Okinawa government.

Aside from adults, teenagers are also caught in conflict. More than 1,500 boys over 14 years old are It is said that As the Iron and Imperial Imperial Army (Tekketsu Kinnotai), enters the front line of service, while the girl is responsible for the injured soldiers and performs the mission to put them on the line of fire. The young women mobilized include Himeyuri students, 222 girls from Oukinawa Daiichi (first) Girls’ High School and Oukinawa Shihan Women’s School, and 18 teachers, who were positioned on the front line to assume life-saving responsibilities such as transporting ammunition and soldiers. Few wars survive.

Japanese Command General Mitsuru Ushijima | Wikimedia Commons

The end of resistance

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For eighty years, scars from the Battle of Okinawa remained evident on the island, especially in connection with the presence of U.S. military bases and the tensions in the region with the Japanese government. Human remains in conflict continue to be discovered. according to 71-year-old volunteer “Bone Hunter” Takamatsu Gushiken still exists, but “Bones are getting smaller and smaller”. But even if they were discovered, they rarely found their way home. The Guardian reported that the remains of about 1,400 people were sitting in storage, waiting for DNA tests – only six were identified and returned to their families.

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