United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific

Okinawa: The Last Battle

by Roy E. Appleman, James M. Burns, Russell A. Gugeler, and John Stevens

1947

. . . to Those Who Served

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

Chapter 1: Operation ICEBERG

The Strategic Decision – Nature of the Target – The Plan of Attack – Mounting the Attack

Chapter 2: Invasion of the Ryukyus

Preliminary Neutralization of Enemy Strength – Seizure of the Kerama Islands – Softening Up the Target

Chapter 3: Winning the Okinawa Beachhead

The Landing – Moving Inland – Organizing the Beachhead

Chapter 4: Where is the Enemy?

The Japanese Forces – The Japanese Plan of Defense – Enemy Counterattack by Air and Sea

Chapter 5: Coming to Grips with the Enemy

Through the Outposts, 4–8 April – Assaulting the Shuri Defenses, 9–12 April – The Enemy Takes the Offensive

Chapter 6: The Conquest of Northern Okinawa

Drive up the Ishikawa Isthmus, 4–7 April – Probing the Motobu Defenses, 7–13 April – Closing In on Yae-Take, 14–15 April – Conquest of Motobu Peninsula, 16–18 April

Chapter 7: The Capture of Ie Shima

Plans and Preparations of the Enemy – American Plans and Preparations – Invasion of Ie Shima, 16–17 April – Stalemate at Bloody Ridge, 18-19 April – Capture of Iegusugu, 20-21 April – Last Phase

Chapter 8: The Attack of 19 April on the Shuri Defenses

Plans and Preparations – Preliminary Attack of the 27th Division, 18 April – The General Attack

Chapter 9: Fall of the First Shuri Defense Ring

ITEM Pocket – Assaulting the Outer Shuri Defense Ring

Chapter 10: Tactics and Tactical Decisions

Tactics and Weapons on Okinawa – Tactical Decisions

Chapter 11: Assaulting the Second Shuri Defense Ring

Stalemate on the West Coast – The 7th Division at Kochi Ridge – The Maeda Escarpment Barrier

Chapter 12: The Japanese Counteroffensive and its Aftermath

Planning the Offensive – The Offensive Under Way – Japanese Penetration to Tanabaru, 5 May – The Americans Resume Offensive

Chapter 13: The May Attack on the Shuri Defenses

The Attack in the West – The Attack in the Center – Opening the East Coast Corridor

Chapter 14: Battle In the Rain

Enemy Air Attacks – Stalemate in the Center – The 6th Marine Division Occupies Naha – The 7th Division Bids for Envelopment

Chapter 15: The Fall of Shuri

Exodus From Shuri – American Occupation of Shuri

Chapter 16: Behind the Front

Supply Operations – Hospitalization and Evacuation – Military Government – Base Development

Chapter 17: The Enemy’s Last Stand

The Push South to the Yaeju-Dake–Yuza-Dake Barrier – The Capture of Oroku Peninsula – Assaulting the Last Defense Line

Chapter 18: The Battle Ends

End of Organized Resistance – Surrender and Suicide – Final Mop-up – Victory: Cost and Value

Appendix A: Major Tactical Units of Tenth Army in the Ryukyus Campaign

Appendix B: Japanese 32nd Army Units in the Ryukyus Campaign

Appendix C: Statistics of the Ryukyus Campaign

Bibliographical Note

Index

Maps

I. Strategic Situation in the Pacific

II. Island of Okinawa

III. Southern Okinawa

IV. Kerama Islands: 77th Division, 26–29 March 1945

V. Tenth Army Advance, 1–3 April 1945

VI. Japanese Defensive Positions, 1 April 1945

VII. Through the Outposts: XXIV Corps, 4–8 April 1945

VIII. The Pinnacle: 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry, 6 April 1945

IX. Kakazu Ridge: Attack of 9 April 1945

X. Kakazu Ridge: Attack of 10 April 1945

XI. XXIV Corps Advance, 9–12 April 1945

XII. Japanese Plan of Attack, 12 April 1945

XIII. Japanese Attack, 12–14 April 1945

XIV. Yae-Take: 6th Marine Division, 8–20 April 1945

XV. Landings on Ie Shima: 77th Division, 16 April 1945

XVI. Ie Shima, 18 April 1945

XVII. Ie Shima, 19 April 1945

XVIII. Ie Shima, 20–21 April 1945

XIX. XXIV Corps Attack, 19 April 1945

XX. Fire Plan of 272nd Independent Infantry Battalion: Kakazu Area, 19 April 1945

XXI. Item Pocket: 165th Infantry, 20 April 1945

XXII. Item Pocket, 21 April 1945

XXIII. Item Pocket, 22–25 April 1945

XXIV. Skyline Ridge: 7th Division, 19 April 1945

XXV. Skyline Ridge: 32nd Infantry, 21 April 1945

XXVI. 96th Division, 20–24 April 1945

XXVII. Fight for the Pinnacles, 20 April 1945

XXVIII. Through the Outer Shuri Defenses, 19–24 April 1945

XXIX. Stalemate at Kochi: 7th Division, 25 April–3 May 1945

XXX. Maeda Escarpment, 25–29 April 1945

XXXI. Attack on Shuri Defenses, 25 April–3 May 1945

XXXII. Japanese Plan of Attack, 4 May 1945

XXXIII. Japanese Attack, 4–5 May 1945

XXXIV. American Advance, 3–10 May 1945

XXXV. Tenth Army Advance, 11–21 May 1945

XXXVI. Sugar Loaf Hill: 6th Marine Division, 14–15 May 1945

XXXVII. Sugar Loaf Hill: 6th Marine Division, 16–17 May 1945

XXXVIII. Sugar Loaf Hill: 6th Marine Division, 18 May 1945

XXXIX. Flattop and Dick Hills, 11–12 May 1945

XL. Flattop and Dick Hills, 13–14 May 1945

XLI. Flattop and Dick Hills, 15 May 1945

XLII. Conical Hill, 11–16 May 1945

XLIII. Conical Hill, 17–21 May 1945

XLIV. Closing in on Shuri, 22–29 May 1945

XLV. Fall of Shuri, 30–31 May 1945

XLVI. The Push South, 1–3 June 1945

XLVII. Oroku and Yaeju-Dake, 4–11 June 1945

XLVIII. Breaching Yaeju-Dake, 12–17 June 1945

XLIX. End of Organized Resistance, 18–21 June 1945

Tables

1: Strength of Army, Marine, and Naval Forces of Tenth Army in the Ryukyus Campaign, 30 April–30 June 1945

2: Comparative American and Enemy Major Losses in the Ryukyus Campaign, 1 April–30 June 1945

3: Casualties Sustained by Tenth Army, 1 April–30 June 1945

4: Troops and Supplies Loaded for the Initial Assault on the Ryukyus

5: Personnel and Supplies Loaded for Assault and for First Echelon Garrison in the Ryukyus Campaign, by Point of Embarkation

6: Comparison of Estimated Capacities for Unloading at Okinawa Beaches and Quantities Actually Unloaded, 1 April–30 June 1945

7: Cargo Unloaded at Okinawa Beaches, 1 April–30 June 1945

8: Ammunition Expended by Tenth Army Field Artillery, 1 April–30 June 1945

9: Ammunition Expended by the U.S. Navy in the Ryukyus Campaign, March–June 1945

10: Ammunition Expended by XXIV Corps, by Type of Weapon, 4 April–21 June 1945

Charts

I: Organization of Allied Forces for the Ryukyus Campaign, January 1945

II: Organization of Central Pacific Task Forces for the Ryukyus Campaign, January 1945

III: Organization of Expeditionary Troops for the Ryukyus Campaign, January 1945

IV: XXIV Corps Assignment of Shipping for the Assault on Okinawa

V: Organization of the Japanese 62nd Division in Okinawa

1: Tenth Army Weekly Battle Casualties, 1 April–30 June 1945

2: Comparison of Estimated Capacities for Unloading at Okinawa Beaches and Quantities Actually Unloaded, 1 April–20 June 1945

3: Average Daily Volume of Supplies Unloaded in the Ryukyus, 1 April–16 May 1945

4: Ammunition Expended by Tenth Army Field Artillery, 1 April–30 June 1945

Maps

1: Strategic Situation in the Pacific

2: Ryukyu Islands

3: Okinawa Island Group

4: Island of Okinawa

5: Southern Okinawa

6: The Plan of Attack

7: Kerama Islands: 77th Division, 26–29 March 1945

8: Tenth Army Advance, 1–3 April 1945

9: Japanese Defensive Positions, 1 April 1945

10: Through the Outposts: XXIV Corps, 4–8 April 1945

11: The Pinnacle: 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry, 6 April 1945

12: Kakazu Ridge: Attack of 9 April 1945

13: Kakazu Ridge: Attack of 10 April 1945

14: XXIV Corps Advance, 9–12 April 1945

15: Japanese Plan of Attack, 12 April 1945

16: Japanese Attack, 12–14 April 1945

17: Advance in the North: 6th Marine Division, 4–8 April 1945

18: Yae-Take: 6th Marine Division, 8–20 April 1945

19: Landings on Ie Shima: 77th Division, 16 April 1945

20: Ie Shima, 18 April 1945

21: Is Shima, 19 April 1945

22: Ie Shima, 20–21 April 1945

23: XXIV Corps Attack, 19 April 1945

24: Fire Plan of 272nd Independent Infantry Battalion: Kakazu Area, 19 April 1945

25: Item Pocket: 165th Infantry, 20 April 1945

26: Item Pocket, 21 April 1945

27: Item Pocket, 22–25 April 1945

28: Skyline Ridge: 7th Division, 19 April 1945

29: Skyline Ridge: 32nd infantry, 21 April 1945

30: 96th Division, 20–24 April 1945

31: Fight for the Pinnacles, 20 April 1945

32: Kakazu Pocket, 21 April 1945

33: Through the Outer Shuri Defenses, 19–24 April 1945

34: Stalemate at Kochi: 7th Division, 25 April–3 May 1945

35: Maeda Escarpment, 25–29 April 1945

36: Attack on Shuri Defenses, 25 April–3 May 1945

37: Japanese Plan of Attack, 4 May 1945

38: Japanese Attack, 4–5 May 1945

39: American Advance, 3–10 May 1945

40: Tenth Army Advance, 11–21 May 1945

41: Sugar Loaf Hill: 6th Marine Division, 14–15 May 1945

42: Sugar Loaf Hill: 6th Marine Division; 16–17 May 1945

43: Sugar Loaf Hill: 6th Marine Division, 18 May 1945

44: Flattop and Dick Hills, 11–12 May 1945

45: Flattop and Dick Hills, 13–14 May 1945

46: Flattop and Dick Hills, 15 May 1945

47: Conical Hill, 11–16 May 1945

48: Conical Hill, 17–21 May 1945

49: Closing In on Shuri, 30–31 May 1945

50: Fall of Shuri, 30–31 May 1945

51: The Push South, 1–3 June 1945

52: Oroku and Yaeju-Dake, 4–11 June 1945

53: Breaching Yaeju-Dake, 12–17 June 1945

54: End of Organized Resistance, 18–21 June 1945

Illustrations

Relief Map of the Philippine Islands – Okinawans and Okinawan Customs – Okinawa’s Landscape – Village on Okinawa – American Commanders – Loading Supplies for Okinawa – Preliminary Bombardment – Japanese Kamikaze Attacks – Terrain in the Kerama Retto – Landings in the Keramas – “Suicide Boats” – Softening Up the Target – Bombarding the Beaches – The Landings – Moving Inland – Supplying and Developing the Beachhead – Japanese Commanders – Japanese Weapons – Kamikaze Attacks – Sinking of the Yamato – XXIV Corps Turns South – East Coast Battles – Kakazu West – Kakazu Gorge – Tombstone Ridge Area – Saddle Between Kakazu West and Kakazu Ridge – Fire Bombing – Pushing to Yae-Take – Ie Shima – Rockets Over Ie Shima – Invasion of Ie Shima – Fighting Toward Ie – Death of Ernie Pyle – Ie and the Southern Beaches – Typical Defense System – Attack on Bloody Ridge – Government House Hill – Strategic Area of Southern Okinawa – Ouki Hill–Skyline Area and Machinato Inlet – Opening Action, 19 April – Battle for Tombstone Ridge – Death of a Tank – West End of Urasoe–Mura Escarpment – Item Pocket Area – Heart of Item Pocket – Skyline Ridge – Rocky Crags – Nishibaru Escarpment Area – The Pinnacles – Urasoe–Mura Escarpment – Kakazu Village and Kakazu Pocket – Japanese Fortifications – Naval Fire and Air Support – Blowtorch and Corkscrew – Southern Coast Line – Asa River Area – Kochi Area – Maeda Escarpment and Tank-Infantry Attacks – Maeda Escarpment Strong Points – Japanese Sea and Air Attack – Japanese Position at Tanabaru Escarpment, 4–7 May – Japanese Land Offensive – Tanabaru Escarpment – Attacks on Hill 60 – American Advance Down the Center – West Flank Zone – Sugar Loaf and Horseshoe Hills – Fighting at Sugar Loaf and Crescent Hills – Dakeshi Ridge – Reverse Slope of Wana Ridge – Ishimmi Ridge – Chocolate Drop Hill – Dick Hills and Flattop – Advance Around Dick Hills and Flattop – Conical Hill and East Coast Flatlands – Japanese Air Raids on Okinawa – Wana Draw – Mud and Flood – “Three Sisters” and Oboe – Crossing the Asato River and Entering Naha – East Coast Corridor and Yonabaru–Naha Valley – Casualties – Secret Retreat – Shuri Heights – Shuri – Shuri Castle Bell – Supply and Communications Installations – Moving Supplies – Movement of Wounded – Military Government – Development of Airfield and Rehabilitation of Port – Mud and Supply – Advancing to Yaeju-Dake – Last Point of Resistance – Base of Oroku Peninsula – Yaeju-Dake and Hill 95 – Flame Through a Hose – Night Attack on Yaeju-Dake – Yuza Peak and Kunishi Ridge – Fighting Toward Hill 89 – Lt Gen Simon B Buckner – Overcoming the Last Resistance – Surrender – Last Japanese Command Post – Raising the American Flag

All pictures in this volume are from Department of Defense files.