Author: Saul David
Translator: Zhang Fan
Publisher: Tian Di Publishing House
Publication date: June 1, 2023
The illustrations in this book are from the original book with accompanying maps, created by Martin Brown
introduction
The Ryukyu Islands were the only place where Japan engaged in ground warfare during the Pacific War, and the Battle of Okinawa was the final battle of the Pacific theater of World War II. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
For Japan, the Battle of Okinawa was a bloody plan to use Ryukyu to preserve its homeland; For the United States, this was the most brutal battle of the Pacific War; For the island residents, this is a devastating nightmare and a blatant deception and manipulation. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
The operational plan and preparation work for the Battle of Okinawa Island between the United States and Japan
The Ryukyu Islands and Iwo Jima are the southern barriers guarding Japan. Occupying these islands and establishing military bases can not only open Japan's southern gateway, but also control the air and sea superiority in nearby waters, strengthen the blockade of Japan's sea and air forces, and prepare for the attack on Japan's mainland. Therefore, the Ryukyu Islands and Iwo Jima Island are necessary routes for the US military to attack Japan's mainland, and have also become the focus of competition between the two sides. Don't forget to share your experience!
On March 16, 1945, after paying a heavy price, the US military captured Iwo Jima, and the Battle of Okinawa was imminent. Don't forget to share your experience!
1 The US military's combat plan and preparation work
In early 1944, the US Fifth Fleet captured the Marshall Islands, and then the Fifth Fleet and Third Fleet advanced towards the Mariana Islands. In May 1944, the US military began preparing for the Battle of Okinawa. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
During the interval before the landing operation in the Mariana Islands, the then Chief of Naval Operations and Commander in Chief of the United States Fleet Have you tried this before? Share your story!Ernest King The general met with the Commander in Chief of the US Pacific Fleet in San FranciscoChester William NimitzAdmiral and Commander of the Third FleetWilliam Frederick HalseyAdmiral, jointly explore the future operational plans of the Pacific Theater Command.
In the second half of 1944, after recapturing the Mariana Islands and the Philippine Islands, the war theme of the Allied Joint Chiefs of Staff was determined to promote Japan's unconditional surrender and military occupation of Japan. Don't forget to share your experience!
On September 29th, Nimitz and Kim met in San Francisco to discuss the next steps in the war against Japan and preliminarily determined the "Iceberg Operation". What do you think about this?
On October 25th, Nimitz ordered the Joint Staff to begin developing a plan for the Battle of Okinawa, codenamed "Operation Iceberg". The US military intends to occupy the Ryukyu Islands through this operation and establish military bases to launch an attack on Japan's mainland, forcing it to surrender. What do you think about this?
On January 6, 1945, the US Tenth Army formulatedIceberg OperationPreliminary operational plan 1-45. On March 11th, the Tenth Army Group began implementing the 1-45 operational plan. From March 21st to 27th, the special task force and its subordinate special task forces carrying out the "Iceberg Operation" advanced towards Okinawa. Don't forget to share your experience!
Raymond SpruanceAs the commander of the 50th Special Task Force, 5th Fleet, and Central Pacific Special Task Force, the general was the overall commander of the Battle of Okinawa and successfully commanded the largest amphibious operation in the history of the war. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Mark MitchellAppointed as the Commander of the 58th Special Mixed Brigade, responsible for maritime mobile operations.
Richmond TurnerCommand all amphibious units of the Third and Fifth Fleet to land on Okinawa Island.
Simon Buckner JrAs the commander of the expeditionary force and the Tenth Army Group (56th Special Task Force), he led the army to Okinawa Island and commanded over 170000 landing troops including the Tenth Army Group, as well as 115000 logistics support troops to be responsible for ground operations in Okinawa. What do you think about this?
On June 18th, before the end of the battle, Buckner was unfortunately hit and killed by enemy shells while inspecting the front-line defense works. He was the highest ranking and highest ranking officer of the US military who sacrificed his life on the Pacific battlefield during World War II. What do you think about this?
The US military experienced the harm caused by Japan's kamikaze suicide planes during the Battle of the Philippines. Therefore, Nimitz ordered the 58th Mixed Forces to carry out large-scale air raids on various airports on Kyushu Island from March 18, 1945. The 7-day bombing severely damaged the facilities of these airports, almost paralyzing Japan's aviation forces in the Kyushu region and preparing for the US landing. What do you think about this?
On the morning of March 26th, the US military landed in the Keiliangma Islands at the western end of Okinawa Island, and on the 29th, the US military occupied the island. On April 1st, four divisions of the US Tenth Army landed in the villages of Kitatani and Okehazama on the west coast of Okinawa Island. After landing, the US military quickly occupied the northern and central airports, established the US Navy Military Government in Yoritomo Village, and issued the "US Navy Military Government Announcement No. 1" named after Nimitz, announcing the cessation of all administrative powers of the Japanese imperialist government in the event of the necessity to continue the war with Japan. Don't forget to share your experience!
2 Japanese military operation plan and preparation work
In 1943, the Allies achieved victory in the Battle of Guadalcanal, and the US military began to demonstrate its unstoppable momentum on the Pacific battlefield. In the spring of 1944, the Japanese military believed that the US would attack the Ryukyu Islands and use them as a springboard to attack the mainland. Have you tried this before? Share your story!If the Ryukyu Islands are occupied, Japan will lose its sea and air superiority in Northeast and Southeast Asia, and the sea transportation routes to Southeast Asia will also be cut off. Therefore, the outcome of the Battle of Okinawa will determine Japan's strategic position in the Pacific region and its domestic security. Don't forget to share your experience!1944322Masao Watanabe Major General.
Faced with the upcoming US offensive, from July to September 1944, the Japanese army mobilized a large number of troops to the Ryukyu Islands. In August, Commander Watanabe was transferred to the General Staff Headquarters and left Okinawa Island; On August 8th, Let me know your thoughts in the comments!Lieutenant General Niu Shima ManBecame the commander of the 32nd Army of the Japanese Army.
At this time, there were only no more than 86400 Japanese troops stationed on Okinawa Island and 10000 naval personnel from the mainland. In addition, about 25000 military and quasi military personnel were recruited in Okinawa (divided into active duty soldiers, conveners, defense teams, apprenticeship teams, volunteer teams, etc.), and local residents and middle school students recruited on the island had only received short-term training and were equipped with the most primitive weapons. All military forces combined, there are only about 120000 people. What do you think about this?
As the commander of the 32nd Army, Niu Shima was the overall commander of the Battle of Okinawa, and he selected Have you tried this before? Share your story!General ChangyongAs its Chief of Staff. Changyong was the main advocate of the underground defense system in Okinawa Island and also the planner of the land counterattack in May 1945. In addition, the senior combat staff of the 32nd Army Staff Department What do you think about this?Colonel Hiroyuki YaharaTheir status is also very important.
Defense of Okinawa Island“Operation Tianhao”The plan was finally finalized after repeated revisions.
On March 20, 1945, the Japanese headquarters issued an order stating that Okinawa Island was the focus of a decisive battle to defend Japan's mainland. The Japanese headquarters advocated adopting a decisive battle strategy of "annihilating the enemy on the beachhead", engaging in close combat, fiercely attacking the enemy, and protecting the airport on the island. What do you think about this?
However, the 32nd Army proposed that "annihilating the enemy on the beachhead" was not realistic, and they decided to engage in a "war of attrition". What do you think about this?
Niudao Man believed that after multiple air raids, the Japanese planes suffered heavy losses and were no longer able to organize large-scale operations, making it impossible to provide air protection for the 32nd Army. What do you think about this?
Changyong also believes that previous battles have proven that I've found that it's impossible to eliminate enemies by the beach, I've found that it's difficult to hold the airport, and the Japanese defense will be exposed, which will only lead to the early demise of the 32nd Army. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
Allowing the US military to land at their chosen location, once they do land, there is almost no room for maneuver. As a result, the US military will encounter defensive fortifications along the coastal ridges, and the defending Japanese army can be prepared at any time to surprise the enemy in a decisive battle. Don't forget to share your experience!
The Tenth Front Army did not oppose its action plan in order to appease Niudao Man.
In order to survive and delay the US military to the greatest extent possible, the Japanese 32nd Army carefully formulated an overall strategy aimed at conducting attrition defense warfare, fully utilizing the natural features and other elements of the island, including caves, forests, graves, and typhoons, to build Okinawa Island into an impregnable defensive position. The Japanese 32nd Army had to retreat southward under the pressure of the US military. In view of this, until the end of the war, the 32nd Army continued to build and improve these layered defense lines. The Japanese army also preserved a large amount of supplies and military supplies in air raid shelters and caves. What do you think about this?
