Battle strategies
The Battle of Okinawa (also known as Operation Iceberg) is recognized as one of the largest, if not the largest, sea-land-air battle. Both sides utilized land and air strategies, trying to find an advantage over the enemy. It took the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, and the U.S. Army all working together as well as superior firepower and determination for the Allies to secure victory. The U.S. knew that the Japanese would valiantly defend their island homeland, even if it was a suicide mission.
- U.S. troops combined had 180,000 soldiers
- Japan had 155,000 soldiers and 500,000 citizens on the island
- The U.S. knew that they had to acquire Okinawa or else it would be difficult to reach the mainland.
- To combat U.S. invasion, Japanese soldiers built fortified underground tunnels.
- Japanese troops were also divided into several sectors to increase mobility.
- US Pacific Fleet consisted of III Amphibious Corps and XXIV Army.
- The Allies decided to land on the northernmost beaches of West Okinawa first.
- The U.S. troops met little resistance after clearing the shore by using artillery shelling.
- U.S. troops marched on to acquire the Kadena and Yontan airports after only one day.
- For the next week, U.S. troops encountered only small groups of Japanese soldiers using guerrilla warfare.
- On April 13th, they finally met a Japanese division on Mount Yae Take and the battle lasted 4 days.
- The entire battle of Okinawa lasted 82 days and the Japanese army utilized Kamikaze airstrikes and tank supported counter offense tactics to break up U.S. troops.