User:9023pop

Many people say that most civil war battles are recorded as the worsts battles in american history.The battle of Okinawa was far worse.The civil war battle Gettysburg had about 10,000 killed and total 50,000 wounded or killed.The battle of Okinawa had about ruffly 12,500-13,500 killed and total just under 60,000 killed and wounded. Okinawa the largest island of the Ryukyu group only 340 miles long. 180,000 us soldiers were involved 1,600 ships, 40 US carriers were also involved.The Japanese were left out numbered and they used the kamikaze and banzi suicide attacks.This 82 long day battle stretched from April to mid June. Okinawa was nicknamed Typhoon of Steel.There were five divisions of the tenth army and the 1st marines and also the 6th marines.The 1st and 6th marines objective was to clear out the north side of the island while the tenth army cleared the south side.The tenth army encountered one of histories biggest fortification on the south side of the island.The Japanese dug in to the many ridges of Okinawa meaning that every hole had a perfect view of many miles and the advancing soldiers. The tenth army could not keep advancing at these costs. The 1st and 6th marines and to reinforce the tenth army and relive them. Not only were the men on that island fighting there enemy they were fighting the enviroment.