65th Anniversary of Battle for Okinawa

Today is the 65th anniversary of the battle for Okinawa but it is unlikely that there will be many ceremonies to commemorate it, even though it was the last great battle of World War II and led to Japan's surrender and the end of the war. Few people realize that Okinawa was the largest sea and land operation of the war, larger than Normandy in ships, men and supplies. The island of Okinawa lies only 350 miles from Japan and in American hands could be used as a staging area to attack Japan. Japanese leaders realized that a loss here would leave them with two options, surrender or commit national suicide. They hoped to wage a war of attrition, exacting so high a cost the United States would agree to lenient surrender terms.


Casualties were huge for both sides, more people being killed than lost their lives in two atomic bomb attacks. According to Google, American casualties were 12,000 killed, including almost 5,000 Navy dead and almost 8,000 Marine and Army dead, and 36,000 wounded. In addition non wounded casualties numbered 26,000. Japan lost 130,00 soldiers killed and 10,000 surrendered or captured. The Army estimated the 82-day campaign resulted in 142,000 civilian deaths.


Allied forces lost 34 ships sunk, mostly by kamikazes, 368 ships and crafts damaged, and 763 aircraft destroyed. Casualties were so high there were congressional calls for an investigation into the conduct of military commanders. The cost of the battle influenced President Truman to drop the atomic bomb and avoid invading the Japanese mainland.