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 *Allie ships approaching Okinawa with the naval armada in the background top right *Naval bombardment of Okinawa bottom right

“Operation Iceberg” The operation began in Okinawa on April 1 st 1945 Easter Sunday 60,000 troops attacked at beaches later joined by another 60,000 Allie troops easily landed Little fighting was necessary *Allies land on an Okinawan beach top left

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 *A Japanese underground military headquarter bottom right

Kamikaze in Okinawa

May 3 rd Counter Attack

May 21 st

Americans Secure Okinawa July 2 nd 1945

Mass Suicide in Okinawa *Some civilians chose to be taken captive rather than commit suicide top right *A woman poses where bones of deceased civilians were thrown bottom right

Aftermath

Significance