Battle of Okinawa
About the Battle
The largest and bloodiest Pacific land battle of the war. Kamikaze attacks sank or damaged hundreds of ships in the fleet offshore. The Japanese defense in depth through the Shuri line cost enormous casualties on both sides. Around 100,000 Okinawan civilians died, a quarter of the island population, many in group tragedies. The battle shaped American planning for the invasion of Japan, and the decision to use the atomic bomb.
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