OPERATION ICEBERG: THE DEADLIEST BATTLE IN HISTORY


By bwilliams
Operation ICEBERG memorial.

April Fools' Day each year marks another year since the start of Operation ICEBERG, also known as the Battle of Okinawa. On April 1, 2024, this year will mark 79 years since the start of this battle, which is now considered one of the deadliest in all of human history. Related read: Stragglers: The Japanese Troops Lost in the Pacific Theater

What Was the Battle of Okinawa/Operation ICEBERG?

The Battle of Okinawa was the last major battle of World War II and part of Operation ICEBERG. Operation ICEBERG, the code name for this mission, was a complex plan by the US to invade and occupy the Japanese Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa. This battle commenced on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945 and lasted 82 days, ending on June 22, 1945. While the WWII battle was nearly at an end on the European front, the US forces were still occupying the lands of Japan, one by one. The Battle of Okinawa came after the Americans obliterated Japanese troops in the brutal Battle of Iwo Jima, leaving nothing but the daunting idea of an invasion of Japan itself in Operation ICEBERG. The island of Okinawa was 466 square miles of trees, hills, and thick foliage. It was the most ideal location for the Imperial Japanese Army to last stand and protect their ground, as the mainland of Japan was in danger next. The Americans sought out to secure Okinawa’s air bases as the Navy’s Fifth Fleet and over 180,000 U.S. Army and Marine Corps troops descended on the Pacific Island of Okinawa for a final push towards Japan. Suggested read: Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) – History & Benefits

A Tough Choice: Battle to the Death or Surrender

The Battle of Okinawa began with US troops dropping the largest bombardment ever to soften Japanese defenses as American troops and war supplies, such as ammunition and tanks, made their way onto the island. Surprisingly though, Japanese troops were not waiting ashore for the arrival of the American troops. The US quickly secured both Kadena and Yontan airfields. As American troops easily moved into enemy territory, they began to wonder where the enemy troops were. Japan’s 32nd Army, about 130,000 men strong, waited for American troops in a rugged area of southern Okinawa known as Shuri. Lt. Gen. Mitsuru Ushijima, leading the Japanese Imperial Army, set up a triangle of defensive positions known as the Shuri Defense Line. He ordered Japanese troops to refrain from shooting America’s landing troops. On April 7th, Japan’s battleship, Yamato, was set to surprise attack and obliterate American troops near the Shuri line. However, an allied submarine saw the Yamato and alerted US troops who launched an air attack on the ship. The ship sank with most of its crew and American troops surged forward into Shuri. Upon encountering Shuri, American troops faced a battle because of how heavily loaded the hills were. By late May, the Americans had overtaken Shuri castle and won many battles against the Japanese on Kakazu Ridge, Sugar Loaf Hill, Horseshoe Ridge, and Half Moon Hill.

Hacksaw Ridge, Putting an End to Operation ICEBERG

After suffering tremendous loss against the Americans, the Japanese unleashed their most lethal weapon: kamikaze suicide pilots. While US troops tried to shoot down the kamikaze planes, the Japanese had this clash in the battle won as they tried to put an end to Operation ICEBERG. America, and the fifth fleet, suffered 36 sunk ships, the loss of 4,900 men, 368 damaged ships, 4,800 men wounded, and the loss of 763 aircraft. The last clash in the battle took place upon a 400-foot vertical cliff where Hacksaw Ridge sat. On April 26, the American attack on Hacksaw Ridge began as they pushed forward to complete Operation ICEBERG. This part of the battle was mostly ruthless hand-to-hand combat, and on May 6, the American finally overtook Hacksaw Ridge. The Japanese troops and citizens on Okinawa believed that if captured by the Americans, they would be killed immediately. Because of this, many people chose to end their own lives by jumping from hills or blowing themselves up. About 7,000 Japanese troops surrendered, but among those who chose suicide were General Ushijima and his Chief of Staff, General Cho. The suicide of these two men marked the end of the battle of Okinawa on June 22.

Who Won the Battle of Okinawa?

Both American troops and Japanese troops suffered massive death tolls during Operation ICEBERG. The Americans suffered almost 50,000 casualties with 12,520 killed–including Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, days before the end of the battle. The Japanese lost 110,000 Soldiers and between 40,000 and 150,000 Okinawa citizens.While the Battle of Okinawa was won by allied forces, and they were now within striking distance of mainland Japan. However, American Soldiers were tired and battle-ridden. Trying to put a swift end to the war, President Harry S. Truman chose to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6th.The bombing of Nagasaki followed on August 9th when Japanese troops didn’t give in. By August 14th, Japan finally decided to surrender. Emperor Hirohito’s announcement of the Japanese surrender marked the end of Operation ICEBERG, WW2, and the massive number of casualties.Read next: Alarming Finding Shows That Robert Card Had Profound Brain Damage


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