| Operation codename: Iceberg |
Americans on Okinawa should meet with a similarly organized system of defense, which had already to overcome in 1944 on the islands of Peleliu, Biak and Saipan and in 1945 on Iwo Jima. At those points in the terrain, which seemed most appropriate for the defense, the Japanese built a firing position connected by the connecting tunnels. Natural barriers, supplemented by artificial barriers should compel the attackers to advance in certain corridors, into which will be concentrated fire of guns with pre-verified data needed for its management. (Miloš Hubáček - Válka končí v Pacifiku (II) - Dobývání Okinawy, Paseka 2000)
Article on Czech Wikipedia
Article on English Wikipedia| Scenario in dates: |
| December 10, 1941: |
In the Philippines - Japanese air attacks and troop landings on Luzon. Attack on the naval base at Cavite destroys weapons stocks. At Aparri, on the north coast, 2000 troops of the Tanaka Detachment land, while troops of the Kanno Detachment land at Vigan in the northeast. Both landings are well supported by naval forces. Above Cavite, the crew of Lieutenant Harmon T. Utter´s Catalina shoots down one of the attacking Japanese Zeros. It is the U.S. Navy´s first verifiable air-to-air "kill" of a Japanese airplane in the Pacific War. Utter, as a commander, will later coordinate the carrier air strikes that will lead to the destruction of the Japanese battleship Yamato. |
| October 10, 1944: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - US Task Force 38 (Admiral Mitscher), part of the US 3rd Fleet (Admiral Halsey), launches air strikes on Onami-Oshima, Okinawa and Sakashima. TF38 includes 11 fleet carriers, 6 light carriers, 6 battleships and numerous cruisers and destroyers. Many Japanese aircraft are destroyed in combat and 10 merchant ships are sunk around Okinawa. Japanese counter air strikes fail to locate the American ships. |
| March 1, 1945: |
In Okinawa - Part of US Task Force 58 conducts air strikes on targets on Okinawa and nearby shipping. Two small Japanese warships are sunk. |
| March 21, 1945: |
In the Pacific - US Task Force 58 (Admiral Mitscher) is replenishing in preparation for operations around Okinawa. The Japanese 5th Air Force deploys the first Ohka piloted rocket bombs, slung under Misubishi Mitsubishi bombers, against the American fleet. The flight of 18 aircraft is intercepted by carrier aircraft and all but one are shot down. Admiral Spruance, command the US 5th Fleet, is present for the operations. |
| March 26, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - US naval forces (TF58 and TF52) continue air strikes on Okinawa. US Task Force 54 (Admiral Deyo), with 10 battleships, 10 cruisers and 33 destroyers, begin the main bombardment of Okinawa. The US 77th Infantry Division (General Bruce) lands on several islands of Kerama Retto and overruns the small Japanese garrisons. The British Pacific Fleet (Admiral Rawlings), also designated Task Force 57, with 4 fleet carriers, 2 battleships, 5 cruisers and 11 destroyers, attacks airfields and other targets on Sakashima Gunto. Japanese submarines make unsuccessful attacks on the Allied ships. |
| March 27, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - US naval forces, including TF58 and TF52, continue air strikes on Okinawa and TF54 continues bombarding the island. Landing is taking place on other islands of the Kerama Retto. The British Pacific Fleet (Admiral Rawlings), also designated Task Force 57, again attacks airfields and other targets on Sakashima Gunto. A Japanese attack by explosive boats fails. Unsuccessful submarine attacks continue. |
| March 28, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - US naval forces, including TF58 and TF52, continue air strikes on Okinawa while TF54 continues bombarding the island. Japanese Kamikaze and submarine attacks continue. |
| April 1, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, American forces launch Operation Iceberg, the invasion of Okinawa. Two corps of the US 10th Army (General Buckner) land in the area of Hagushi, in the southwest of the island. US Task Force 51 (Admiral Turner) provides the 1,200 transports and landing ships with over 450,000 Army and Marine Corps personnel embarked. The troops landed are from US III Amphibious Corps (Geiger) with US 6th and 1st Marine Divisions, on the left or northern flank, and XXIV Army Corps (Hodge) with US 7th and 96th Infantry Divisions, on the right or southern flank. On land, US forces encounter almost no resistance on the first day and establish a beachhead three miles deep and nine miles wide. (Okinawa is 70 miles long and a maximum of 10 miles wide.) Kadena and Yontan airfields are captured. Japanese forces on the island, consisting of the 130,000 troops of the Japanese 32nd Army (General Ushijima), are entrenched in concealed positions and caves, mostly to the south of the American landing area along the Shuri Line. (There are also 450,000 civilians on the island.) At sea, US TF58 and TF54 as well as the British Pacific Fleet conduct air and naval bombardments. Japanese conventional and Kamikaze air strikes hit the battleship USS West Virginia (BB-48), and the carrier, HMS Indomitable, along with eight other ships. |
| April 2, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, forces of the US 10th Army easily advance across the island to the east coast and make some progress to the north and south. At sea, in addition to the bombardment and air support missions performed by the US naval forces, there are attacks by the British carriers on Sakashima Gunto Island. In Japanese Kamikaze attacks four US transports are badly damaged with many casualties among the troops aboard. |
| April 3, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - In Kamikaze attacks by Japanese planes, one escort carrier and other ships are hit. On Okinawa, American artillery spotter planes begin operating from Kadena airfield. |
| April 4, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the forces of US 10th Army begin to meet the first real Japanese resistance on the ground. Troops of US XXIV Army Corps are brought to a halt on a line just south of Kuba while the forces of III Amphibious Corps have reached the Ishikawa Isthmus. A storm damages many landing craft and hampers further reinforcement. |
| April 5, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - The battleship USS Nevada (BB-36) is damaged by Japanese fire from a shore battery from Okinawa. |
| April 6, 1945: |
In Japan - The Japanese battleship Yamato sails from the Inland Sea with a light cruiser Yahagi and 8 destroyers on a Kamikaze mission to Okinawa. The battleship only has enough fuel to reach the island and it is intended to beach the Yamato off Okinawa and fight any American forces nearby. US submarines sight the Yamato several times and report its position during the day. |
| April 6, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the US III Amphibious Corps continues to advance in the north, but the US XXIV Army Corps is held by Japanese forces along the first defenses of the Shuri Line. There are numerous Kamikaze attacks on shipping during the day, as part of Operation Kikusui. The aircraft carriers USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) and HMS Illustrious are hit as well as 25 other ships including 10 small warships. |
| April 7, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - Japanese Kamikaze attacks damage the carrier USS Hancock (CV-19) and the battleship USS Maryland (BB-46) as well as other ships. |
| April 7, 1945: |
In the East China Sea - The Japanese battleship Yamato is sighted by planes from the American carrier groups which attack the battleship in two waves, involving 380 aircraft. The Yamato suffers 10 torpedo hits and 5 bomb hits before sinking. Some 2498 Japanese are killed on board the battleship. The planes, from US Task Force 58 , also sink the Japanese light cruiser Yahagi and 4 destroyers accompanying the battleship. A total of 10 planes are lost. |
| April 8, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the forces of US III Amphibious Corps, attacking northward on the island, have cut the neck of the Motobu Peninsula and US 6th Marine Division begins operations to clear it of Japanese forces. At sea, there are less intense Kamikaze attacks. |
| April 9, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, there are unsuccessful attacks by US XXIV Corps around Kakazu along the Japanese held Shuri Line. At sea there are less intense Kamikaze attacks. However, in two days of the Japanese suicide strikes have badly damaged 3 destroyers and 2 other ships. |
| April 10, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, after a massive preparatory barrage, the US 96th Infantry Division seizes part of Kakazu Ridge. |
| April 11, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - Japanese Kamikaze attacks damage the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) and the carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6). British carriers attack Sakashima Gunto. |
| April 12, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - Japanese Kamikaze attacks achieve hits on several of the radar picket ships as well as 2 battleships and 8 other vessels. USS Mannert L. Abele (DD-733), a destroyer, is sunk by a Japanese Baka rocket-propelled piloted missile. The picket destroyer patrols, which provide the radar early warning of Kamikaze strikes, are vulnerable but give American fighter aircraft time to intercept the suicide planes. British carriers attack Sakashima Gunto. On Okinawa, fighting continues on the Motobu Peninsula, in the north, and around Kakazu, in the south, along the Japanese held Shuri Line but US 10th Army forces make little ground in these areas. |
| April 13, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, elements of the US 6th Marine Division not engaged on the Motobu Peninsula continue to advance up the west coast of the island and reach the northwest tip at Hedo Point. In the area of Kakazu Ridge, the Japanese make a surprise flanking counterattack, but the lone technical sergeant Beauford T. Anderson repulses it at close range with the help of a carbine and throwing unlocked mortar shells, for which he will later be awarded the Medal of Honor. Japanese Kamikaze attacks hit a destroyer escort USS Connolly (DE-306). British carriers attack Sakashima Gunto. |
| April 14, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - Japanese Kamikaze attacks damage the battleship USS New York (BB-34). On Okinawa, American forces attack strong Japanese defenses in the hilly Motobu Peninsula in the north. |
| April 15, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the US 6th Marine Division assaults Yae Hill but is driven back by the Japanese defense. |
| April 16, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - The US 77th Infantry Division lands on the small island of Ie Shima and encounters heavy Japanese resistance. USS Laffey (DD-724) destroyer, a forward radar vessel, is attacked by 22 Japanese aircraft north of Okinawa in 80 minutes, 6 kamikaze crashes, and four conventional bombers hit her with bombs. After a heroic struggle, the crew managed to save a heavily damaged ship, the loss of which was usually enough only one of the suffered hits. |
| April 19, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the US XXIV Corps now has three divisions in the line and all three begin attacks after a heavy ground and air bombardment. The heaviest efforts are on coastal flanks. |
| April 20, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, US III Amphibious Corps completes the capture of the Motobu Peninsula and the whole of the main northern part of the island. The US XXIV Army Corps, on the Shuri Line, continue to attack but the limited gains made cannot be held against the Japanese counterattacks. |
| April 23, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the attacks of US XXIV Corps begin to achieve some gains, notably by US 96th Division. |
| April 24, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, Japanese forces defending the Shuri Line, in the south, begin tactical withdrawals. |
| April 26, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the US XXIV Corps attacks the along the Japanese held Maeda Escarpment (Shuri Line), so called Hicksaw Ridge. American armor reaches the reverse slope. The attack is literally massacred by accurate Japanese artillery, mortar and machine gun fire. Survivors are ordered to retreat immediately, but the only one who ignores it is an unarmed medic and a well-known denial of military service, Corporal Desond Doss, who for 5 hours in fire endures from the top and drops 75 wounded on ropes. He will heal himself from his injuries from the Battle of Okinawa for many years after the war and receive for exemplary service the highest American honor, the Medal of Honor. In 2016, the film Hacksaw Ridge will be made about him. |
| April 28, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, fighting along the Shuri Line continues. American forces employ tanks, flame-throwers and artillery in an effort to destroy Japanese defensive positions. |
| April 30, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, Japanese counterattacks and infiltration attempts along the Shuri Line area are defeated. There is heavy fighting in the Maeda and Kochi Ridge positions. The US 1st Marine and 77th Divisions replace the US 27th and 96th Divisions in the line. |
| May 3, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, Japanese forces launch a counteroffensive from positions in the south, during the night (May 3-4), but fail to break through the American lines. Japanese artillery batteries, that have remained silent until now to avoid American retaliation, support the assaults. |
| May 4, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the Japanese 32nd Army counterattacks. Artillery that was formerly concealed is used to support infantry charges. The US 7th and 77th Divisions hold the assaults. Meanwhile, the US 1st Marine Division attacks Machinato airfield and suffers heavy losses. At sea, Kamikaze attacks sink destroyers USS Luce (DD-522) and USS Morrison (DD-560) with 2 landing ships and damage the escort carrier USS Sangamon (CVE-26), light cruiser USS Birmingham (CL-62), and other ships. Some 131 Japanese planes are claimed to be shot down. The British carrier HMS Formidable is damaged by a Kamikaze attack off the Sakishima Islands. |
| May 5, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, Japanese counterattacks continue with minor successes. |
| May 6, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the Japanese offensive loses momentum. Japanese forces have sustain losses of at least 5000 killed. Even while it has been going on, American forces have made gains near Machinato airfield and Maeda Ridge. |
| May 7, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the US 7th Division completes the elimination of Japanese units that infiltrated into the Tanabaru area. Fruitless attacks on the Japanese held Shuri Line continue. |
| May 8, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, torrential rain restricts military operations. The US 1st Marine Division eliminates several Japanese held cave positions on Nan Hill, with explosives. |
| May 9, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the US 1st Marine Division captures Height 60 after eliminating Japanese positions on Nan Hill. The US 77th Division continues attacks on Japanese strong points north of Shuri. The Kochi Crest area has been secured by American forces. The kamikaze attack severely damages the escort destroyer USS England (DE-635), a record holder of antisubmarine warfare, which sank 6 Japanese submarines in 12 days in May 1944. She will not return to service. |
| May 10, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, at 0300 elements of the US 6th Marine Division begin an attack against the estuary of the Asa river. A bridgehead about 1 mile wide and 400 yards deep is established. During the night a Bailey bridge is built to allow tanks and artillery to cross the river. The US 1st Marine Division makes slight progress towards Shuri, facing heavy Japanese opposition. At sea, Japanese Kamikaze strikes hit destroyer USS Brown (DD-546) and minelayer USS Harry F. Bauer (DM-26, ex DD-738). |
| May 11, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, American forces conduct a coordinated attack on the Japanese held Shuri Line. The forces deployed include the US III Amphibious Corps on the right of the line and the US XXIV Army Corps on the left. Only minor gains are achieved. At sea, Kamikaze strikes damage two destroyers USS Evans (DD-552) and USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774) and cause a massive fire on the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), the consequences of which will be repaired until the end of the war. 393 men are killed on Bunker Hill, including all crew members of the Avenger squadron, but among them is not a young radio operator/gunner Paul Newman, a future famous actor, because the pilot of his Avenger fell ill before the Battle of Okinawa and his crew did not participate in the battle. |
| May 12, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, Japanese forces repulse an attack by elements of US III Amphibious Corps at Sugar Loaf Hill, southeast of Amike. The position is an important point in the Japanese held Shuri Line. The US 1st Marine Division suffers heavy losses but captures most of Dakeshi Ridge. The US 77th Division advances slowly toward Shuri. The Japanese held Conical Hill position is fought over by US 96th Division. At sea, a Kamikaze plane strikes the USS New Mexico (BB-40), causing considerable damage. |
| May 13, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, fierce fighting continues along the Shuri Line. The US 6th Marine Division suffers heavy losses but completes the capture of Dakeshi Ridge. On the east coast, elements of the US 96th Division penetrate the strip east of the Shuri line and take part of Conical Hill. |
| May 14, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, 20 American Marines reach the summit of Sugar Loaf Hill. The airfield at Yonabaru is captured. |
| May 15, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, slow American advances and costly Japanese counterattacks continue. Heavy fighting is reported around the Sugar Loaf Hill and Conical Hill positions. Marines on Sugar Loaf Hill, elements of US III Amphibious Corps, withdraw because of Japanese fire. The US 1st Marine Division advances along the Wana river valley, west of Shuri, against heavy Japanese resistance. TThe US 305th Infantry Regiment of the 77th Infrantry Division, of US XXIV Army Corps, achieve limited progress and have been reduced to 25 percent effectiveness in the fighting. |
| May 16, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the US 6th Marine Division (part of US III Amphibious Corps) reports heavy casualties in continuing attacks on Sugar Loaf Hill. Japanese antitank guns knock out a number of American tanks supporting an advance, by US 1st Marine Division, along the valley of the Wana River. Attacks by the US 77th Division to the north of Shuri continue to be unsuccessful. The US 96th Division reaches the edge of the village of Yonabaru. Love Hill, to the west of Conical Hill, continues to be held by Japanese forces. |
| May 17, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the US 6th Marine Division, part of US III Amphibious Corps, continues assaulting Sugar Loaf hill have Japanese positions are heavily bombarded by aircraft, artillery and ships. Elements of US 1st Marine Division capture the western part of the Wana valley but fail to take the ridge. Units of the US 77th Division, part of US XXIV Army Corps, make a surprise attack on Ishimmi Ridge, west of the village, and end up in positions exposed to Japanese fire. |
| May 18, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the US 6th Marine Division, part of US III Amphibious Corps, captures most of the Sugar Loaf Hill, as well as parts of the Half Moon and the Horseshoe positions that overlook it, after several days of bitter fighting. The US 1st Marine Division continues to battle for the Wana river valley and Wana Ridge but fails to eliminate Japanese resistance, even with flame-throwers and tanks in support. Meanwhile, the US 77th and 96th Divisions, parts of US XXIV Army Corps, attack Japanese positions on Flat Peak without success. |
| May 19, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the US 77th Division suffers heavy casualties while fighting for the Ishimmi ridge and withdraws. |
| May 20, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, American troops secure Chocolate Drop Hill after fighting in the interconnecting tunnels. Elements of the 1st Marine Division, part of US III Amphibious Corps, capture Wana Ridge. Elements of the US 6th Marine Division, part of the same corps, begin mopping up operations in the Japanese held caves of the Horseshoe and Half Moon positions. They use flame-throwers and hollow-charge weapons and seal off some Japanese troops. Japanese forces counterattack on the Horseshoe position suffering an estimated 200 killed. To the east, the US 7th and 96th Divisions, of US XXIV Army Corps, continue to be engaged in the capture of Yonabaru. |
| May 21, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, US III Amphibious Corps reports advances near the Horseshoe, Half Moon and Wana positions, on the western flank. On the east-side, US 7th and 96th Divisions (parts of US XXIV Army Corps) attack near Yonabaru. Japanese forces begin to pull out of the Shuri Line. |
| May 22, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, American forces enter Yonabaru and capture Conical Hill. Heavy rains begin that hamper offensive operations for the coming weeks. |
| May 23, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, after occupying Naha, the US 6th Marine Division (part of US III Amphibious Corps) encounters heavy Japanese resistance to attempts to advance further south. |
| May 24, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, during the night, Japanese paratroopers on a suicide mission are landed on American held Yontan airfield and destroy a significant number of aircraft before being wiped out. Meanwhile, Japanese troops conduct vigorous counterattacks in the direction of Yonabaru and make a small penetration into the lines of the US 32nd Division. |
| May 24, 1945: |
In Japan - On Kyushu, aircraft from US Task Force 58 raid several airfields used by the Kamikaze forces attacking American naval forces around Okinawa. Meanwhile about 520 US bombers strike Tokyo, dropping some 3646 tons of bombs. |
| May 25, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the US 4th Marine Regiment eliminates the Japanese casemates and underground positions on Machishi Hill. The US 29th Regiment secures Naha. |
| May 26, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, American bombers and artillery attack Japanese troops withdrawing from the Shuri Line. |
| May 27, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, American forces attacking southward, continue to encounter heavy Japanese resistance. Japanese aircraft begin a two-day series of strikes against the Allied naval forces around the island. Demaged is the destroyer USS Braine (DD-630), which is hit by a kamikaze plane controlled by only seventeen-year-old pilot Yukio Araki. |
| May 28, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - More than 100 Japanese planes are shot down near Okinawa. This is the last major effort against the Allied naval forces surrounding the island. The US destroyer USS Drexler (DD-741) is sunk by a kamikaze plane that previously missed the USS Lowry (DD-770). This is the only success of the Japanese air strikes of the day. |
| May 29, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - Okinawa, despite the strong resistance of the enemy A company of the 5th Marine Battalion commanded by Kpt. Julius Dusenberg of South Carolina, is succeeding in conquering a major strongpoint, the middle age castle of Shuri. The new flag, erected above the stone fortress, however, does not have stars and stripes, but confederate stars on the Holy Andrew cross. The US 10th Army commander in Okinawa has refused to punish this misappropriation. "What should I punish these men, my father fought under this flag!" Father of Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr. was Confederate General Buckner, who surrendered in Fort Donelson to General Grant in 1862. |
| May 30, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, American forces reach Shuri, south of the former Japanese positions. Two battalions of US Marines reach the southeast edge of Naha. |
| May 31, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the US 6th Marine Division (part of US III Amphibious Corps) encounters Japanese rearguards near Hill 46. Japanese forces pull out of Shuri. |
| June 1, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, after the fall of Shuri, General Ushijima orders the Japanese troops to withdraw southward, towards the Oroku peninsula and the hills of Yaeju, Yuza and Mezado in the extreme south of the island. There are reports of discontent among the Japanese troops, something previously unheard of in the Imperial Army. Elements of the US 1st Marine Division cross the Koruba river, south of Naha. The forces of the US XXIV Army Corps pursue the retreating Japanese while elements mop up around Shuri. |
| June 2, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, mopping up continues as the US 6th Marine Division prepares to land two regiments on the Oroku peninsula. |
| June 3, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, Japanese forces are isolated in the Oroku and Chinen peninsula. |
| June 4, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, two regiments of US 6th Marine Division make landings on the Oroku peninsula in an attempt to outflank Japanese defensive positions. However, many of the Japanese troops formerly in the Shuri Line have withdrawn to the Oroku peninsula. General Buckner, commanding US 10th Army, reduces the frontage of the US III Amphibious Corps, which has suffered the greatest losses, and increases the frontage of the US XXIV Army Corps. |
| June 5, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, Japanese forces on the Oroku peninsula strongly resist the US 6th Marine Division which nonetheless captures most of the airfield. In the south the forces of the US XXIV Army Corps near the last Japanese defensive line, running from Yuza in the west to Guschichan on the east coast and based on the three hills, Yaeju, Yuza and Mezado. At sea, a sudden typhoon damages 4 battleships, 8 aircraft carriers, 7 cruisers, 14 destroyers, 2 tankers, and and ammunition transport ship, of the US 3rd Fleet. A Japanese Kamikaze attack cripples the battleship USS Mississippi (BB-41) and the heavy cruiser USS Louisville (CA-28). |
| June 6, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, elements of the US 6th Marine Division advance in the Oroku Peninsula following their landing. Naha airfield is secured. Elements of the US 96th Division (US XXIV Army Corps) reach the lower slopes of Mount Yaeju and are halted by intensive Japanese fire. |
| June 7, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, in the Oroku peninsula, Japanese forces hold attacks by the US 6th Marine Division while the US 1st Marine Division advances southward and isolates the peninsula defenders. The US XXIV Army Corps is engaged in artillery bombardments. |
| June 8, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, in the north heavy fighting continues on the Oroku peninsula. In the south, the US XXIV Corps prepares to attack Mount Yaeju. |
| June 9, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the Japanese forces defending the Oroku peninsula are cut off and surrounded by forces of the US 6th Marine Division. The US 1st Marine Division advance southward to Kunishi Ridge, one of the last Japanese strong points. |
| June 10, 1945: |
In Tokyo - Prime Minister Suzuki is granted dictatorial powers by the Imperial Diet. |
| June 10, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, fighting continues on the Oroku Peninsula, where the forces of the US 6th Marine Division have reduced the Japanese pocket to about 2000 square yards. Heavy Japanese losses are recorded in nighttime counterattacks. Meanwhile, on the south of the island, the US 1st Marine Division suffers heavy losses in the successful capture of a hill west of the town of Yuza. The US XXIV Corps forces, to the left, launches a major offensive against the last Japanese defensive line, the Yaeju-Dake Line. Japanese resistance is evidently weakening. |
| June 11, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the Japanese pocket in the Oroku Peninsula has been reduce to perimeter measurable in yards but their resistance remains fanatical. An assault by the US 1st Marine Division (US III Amphibious Corps) fails to capture Kunishi Ridge. A regiment of the US 96th Division reaches the town of Yuza but is forced to withdraw by intensive Japanese fire. An important height east of Mount Yaeju is capture by American forces. |
| June 12, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, many of the Japanese naval infantry cut off in the Oroku peninsula, reduced to a pocket of about 1000 square yards, begin to commit mass suicide to avoid surrender. The US 1st Marine Division captures the west end of Kunishi Ridge during a night attack. The US 96th Division attacks Japanese positions around Mount Yuza and Mount Yaeju. |
| June 13, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the Japanese resistance in the Oroku peninsula ends. The US 6th Marine Division records a record 169 Japanese prisoners as well as finding about 200 dead. (This is a large total when compared with previous numbers of Japanese prisoners reported.) The fighting continues to the southeast, especially in the Kunishi Ridge area where a regiment of the US 1st Marine Division suffers heavy casualties. The US XXIV Corps uses armored flamethrowers in the elimination of the Japanese held fortified caves on Mount Yuza and Mount Yaeju and on Hills 153 and 115. |
| June 14, 1945: |
From Washington - The US Joint Chiefs of Staff issue a directive to General MacArthur, General Arnold and Admiral Nimitz to prepare plans for the immediate occupation of the Japanese islands in the event of a sudden capitulation. This order may have been given in light of recent progress on the production of an atomic bomb but this is not stated. Meanwhile, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson announces that general Patton would not be sent to the Pacific but would return to Europe in an occupation army assignment. |
| June 14, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, mopping up operations proceed on the Oroku peninsula. The troops of the US III Amphibious Corps and the US XXIV Corps continue to eliminate fortified caves held by Japanese forces on Kunishi Ridge and on Mount Yuza and Mount Yaegu. An American regiment of the US 96th Division reaches the summit of Mount Yaegu, while the US th Division extends its control of Hills 153 and 115. |
| June 15, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, Marines suffer heavy casualties and are unable to advance on Kunishi Ridge. The US 1st Marine Division, already short of troops, is attached to the US 2nd Marine Division. Forces of the US XXIV Corps continue operations to eliminate Japanese positions on Mount Yaeju and Mount Yuza. |
| June 16, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, Mount Yuza is captured by the US 381st Infantry Regiment. Fighting continues on the south of the island. At sea, the Japanese air offensive against American ships slackens, but the Japanese still sink destroyer USS Twiggs (DD-591) and damage 1 escort carrier. |
| June 17, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, reinforced American units advance in the Kuishi Ridge area which has been stubbornly defended by forces of the Japanese 32nd Army. Along the line of the US XXIV Corps, the last Japanese defensive line is broken. The US 7th Division completes the capture of Hills 153 and 115. The commander of the Japanese naval base on Okinawa, Admiral Minoru Ota, is found dead, having committed suicide. |
| June 18, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the remnants of the Japanese 32nd Army continue to offer determined resistance to attacks of the US III Amphibious Corps and the US XXIV Army Corps. Lt. General Simon Bolivar Buckner, commanding US 10th Army, is killed by Japanese artillery fire while he is on a visit to the front line, inspecting troops of the US 8th Marine Division. He is temporarily replaced by General Geiger, commanding the US III Amphibious Corps. |
| June 19, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the insistent use of propaganda by means of leaflets and loudspeakers, by the American forces, induces some 343 Japanese troops to surrender. Japanese forces fall back in some disorder along the frontage of the US III Amphibious Corps but continue to resist along the line held by the US XXIV Army Corps. |
| June 20, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, Japanese resistance along the center of the line, held by the US XXIV Corps, continues to be strong. The US 32nd Infantry Regiment (US 7th Division) reaches Height 89, near Mabuni, where the Japanese headquarters have been identified. On the flanks, the American Marines on the right and the infantry on the left advance virtually unopposed, capturing over 1000 Japanese and reaching the southern coast of the island at several points. The scale of surrenders is unprecedented for the forces of the Imperial Army. |
| June 21, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the Japanese headquarters on Hill 89 is taken by the forces of the US 32nd Infantry Regiment, part of US 7th Division. The body of General Ushijima, commanding the Japanese 32nd Army is found nearby. |
| June 22, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the battle ends. American forces have lost 12,500 dead and 35,500 wounded. The US navy has had 36 ships sunk and 368 damaged. In the air, the American forces have lost 763 planes. The Japanese losses include 120,000 military and 42,000 civilian dead. For the first time in the war, there are a relatively large number of Japanese prisoners: 10,755. American reports claim the Japanese have lost 7,830 planes. |
| June 23, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, the systematic mopping up of the island begins. General Stilwell takes command of the US 10th Army in place of General Geiger. |
| June 30, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - On Okinawa, American forces complete mopping-up operations (June 23-30) in which 8975 Japanese are reported killed and 2902 captured. |
| July 2, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - American military operations are officially concluded. |
| July 20, 1945: |
Over China - For the second consecutive day, more than 200 Allied bombers, flying from Okinawa, attack Japanese airfields in the area of Shanghai. |
| July 29, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - Off Okinawa, Japanese Kamikaze planes damage an American destroyer and a fast transport. |
| July 30, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - the destroyer USS Cassin Young (DD-793) is heavily damaged by a kamikaze attack near Okinawa. The Japanese attack is carried out by a obsolete biplane, what is the second experience for the 125 men on board, as they are survivors picked up from sea previous day and former crew of the lost destroyer USS Callaghan (DD-792), sunk after just such an attack. The crew of the destroyer Cassin Young manages to save the ship and after repairs, the vessel will be decommissioned in 1974 and become a floating museum. |
| August 4, 1945: |
From Washington - The area of command under General MacArthur is extended to include the Ryukyu Islands, south of Kyushu. |
| August 12, 1945: |
In the Ryukyu Islands - The battleship USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) is damaged by an attack from a Japanese torpedo bomber off the island of Okinawa. One of the last successful air torpedo attacks of the war is carried out on the day exactly 30 years after the first successful combat use of an aerial torpedo on August 12, 1915. Meanwhile, a Japanese submarine unsuccessfully attacks the American destroyer USS Thomas F. Nickel (DE-587) and the landing craft USS Oak Hill (LSD-7). |
| August 15, 1945: |
Over Japan - US Task Force 38 launches massive air strikes on the Tokyo area, encountering numerous Japanese fighters but the aircraft are recalled upon receipt of the surrender announcement. Meanwhile, Vice-Admiral Ugaki, commanding Kamikaze operations, leads a final mission but the 7 dive-bombers are shot down off Tokyo before they can reach Okinawa. |
| September 11, 1945: |
United States - A submarine chaser USS PC-815 sinks in a thick fog near San Diego after a collision with the destroyer USS Laffey (DD-724). Laffey, probably the most damaged survivor of the war, when 6 kamikazes and four bombs hit her in 80 minutes in Okinawa, she credits her own vessel a few days after the end of costly repairs. During her unlucky career, the PC-815 was called the "jinxed sub-chaser" and this event definitely confirms her reputation. |
| October 9, 1945: |
Japan - The Japanese islands are hit with the devastating effects of Typhoon Louise, with 377 deaths officially reported. In American-occupied Okinawa, the US fleet of auxiliary vessels in Nakagusuku Bay (also Buckner Bay) is taken aback by the typhoon. 12 ships are sunk in more than ten-meter waves, another 222 vessels are stranded and 32 are wrecked off the coast. Among the destroyed ships is the USS Southard (DMS-10) minesweeper, on which he serves as executive officer Herman Wouk, later a famous writer who, inspired by his experience on minesweepers, writes the bestseller The Caine Mutiny (1951), for which will receive a Pulitzer Prize, later added by novel saga The Winds of War (1971). Wouk will die in 2019 at age of 103. |
| October 12, 1946: |
United States - President Harry S. Truman honors Corporal Desmond Dosse with America´s highest honor, Medal of Honor. Doss refused to serve in the army with a weapon in his hand because of his religious beliefs, but he saved many American soldiers by exemplary courage, treating and carrying the wounded to safety, especially in Okinawa in the battle for Hacksaw Ridge. Truman himself claims that being honored with Doss´s deeds is more honor than being president. |
| October 12, 1946: |
United States - General Joseph Stilwell dies of stomach cancer in San Francisco, who served mainly in China, India and Burma during the war and in the of war commanded the 10th Army in Okinawa after death of General Buckner. |
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| Literature sources: |  | Jordan, David, Wiest Andrew: Atlas Of World War II., Ottovo nakladatelství, 2006, Praha |  | Moskin, J. Robert: The U.S. marine corps story, Laser - books, 1997, Plzeň |  . | Swanston, Alexander & Malcolm: The Historical Atlas of World War II, Columbus, 2007, Praha |  | Lamont-Brown, Raymond: Kamikaze, Pavel Dobrovský - BETA, 2004, Praha | | . | Šnajdr, Miroslav: Flying Marines, Akcent, 2015, Třebíč | | . | Dolejší, Josef: Marines, X-Egem, 1999, Praha | | . | Sims, Edward H.: Největší vzdušné bitvy (The Largest Air Battles), Toužimský & Moravec, 2002, Praha |  | Hara, Tameči: Teikoku Kaigun No Saigo / Japanese Destroyer Captain, Omnibooks, 2013, Neratovice |  | Foster, Simon: Okinawa 1945: Final Assault on the Empire, Mustang, 1995, Plzeň |  | Pyle, Ernie: Last Chapter, Dialog, 1998, Litvínov | | . | Newark, Tim: Turing the Tide of War, Ottovo nakladatelství, 2003, Praha |  | Sledge, Eugene B.: With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa, Universum, 2011, Praha |  | Hubáček, Miloš: Válka končí v Pacifiku II (War ends in Pacific II - Conquest of Okinawa), Paseka, 2000, Praha, Litomyšl |  | Hrbek, Jaroslav, Hrbek Ivan: Vítězství přichází z moře (Victory comes from sea), Naše vojsko, 1999, Praha | Pejčoch, Ivo: Americké bitevní křižníky třídy Alaska (US Battle Cruisers of Alaska Class), HPM No. 10/1992
Pejčoch, Ivo: Bitevní loď Texas (Battleship Texas), HPM No. 1/2002
Pejčoch, Ivo: Lehký tank Typ 95 Ha-Go (Light tank Type 95 Ha-Go), HPM No. 1/1994
Pejčoch, Ivo: M18 Hellcat, HPM No. 7 a 8/2001
Dvořák, Pavel: Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate, HPM No. 8 a 9/1993
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