The Battle of Okinawa Analysis

World War II consisted of many devastating battles in both the European and Pacific Theaters. The Battle of Okinawa was fought in the Pacific Theater. In the beginning, there was little opposition from the Japanese soldiers, but as the American troops traveled further inland, they encountered more resistance. Eventually, the 10th Army faced the fierce challenge of the intricate defense lines held up by the Japanese. Many caves and pillboxes in the hills created a formidable challenge for American troops. Slowly, though, the Allies gained ground and continued to push back the defensive lines of General Ushijima and his troops. The Japanese tried to use kamikaze air and land attacks as successful offensive measures, but these continued to produce little effect and failed each time. Finally, the Allies started to gain ground quite quickly. The Japanese had to move their defensive lines several times because the Americans were boxing them in. At last, General Ushijima ordered every man to fight to the death, and the fighting became very disorganized. On June 21, all the loose ends were tied up, and America had won Okinawa. Okinawa was needed by the Allies to attack mainland Japan. After obtaining it, Okinawa would be used as a staging ground for the attack. The several airfields that were on it made it vital if Japan were to be conquered. Before the troops landed on the island, 13,000 rounds were fired at it. The pre-invasion lasted a week and was used to soften the island for the troops. April 1st became landing day or "love day" as some of the troops called it. The U.S. 10th Army, commanded by Lieutenant-General Simon Bolivar Buckner, landed on the Southeast coast of the island. The landing at Okinawa was the greatest amphibious assault in the Pacific War.