Stef Cohen & Kelly Broadbent

Honors U.S. History II, Period 2

Mr. Greenberg

Objectives

• To learn the importance of the Battle of Okinawa during World War II.

Okinawa is one of the Ryukyu Islands off of the southern tip of Japan

Why Okinawa was important for the Allies

• To invade Japan Allies needed to capture the pacific islands.

• The islands supplied Japan during battle and Allies wanted to cut them off.

• Allies would also use these islands as refueling and repair stations.

Why Okinawa was important to the Japanese

• After many battles Japan’s military was deteriorating. • They knew they could not win.

• Their goal was:• decrease the size of the Allie army

• decrease allies supplies and fleet

Naval Bombardment

• Mid- March 1945

• Greatest naval armada ever

• Attacked by kamikaze, and ohka• Ohka are rocket powered kamikaze

• Nicknamed “baka” Japanese for idiot

“Operation Iceberg”

• The operation began in Okinawa on April 1st 1945• Easter Sunday

• 60,000 troops attacked at beaches • later joined by another 60,000

• Allie troops easily landed• Little fighting was necessary

Japanese Plan

• No troops defend beaches • avoid casualties

• Dug tunnels and caves in high grounds• Away from beaches

• Allies could not use superior naval and air power

Kamikaze in Okinawa

May 3rd Counter Attack

May 21st

Americans Secure Okinawa

• July 2nd 1945

Mass Suicide in Okinawa

Japanese Tolls

• Dead Troops: 100,000

• Dead Civilians: 150,000

• Sunken Ships: 16

• Lost Aircraft: 4,000

American Tolls

• Dead Troops: over 7,000

• Dead Navy Troops: 5,000

• Wounded: 36,000

• Sunken Ships: 36

• Damaged Ships: 368

Aftermath

Significance