Okinawa 1945: Japan's Last Stand

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The American invasion of Okinawa was the last big island operation on the Pacific Front. It took the US Marines and Army troops several months to defeat the last Japanese resistance on the island in one of the costliest American victories of the 2nd World War - but in the end not even Japanese Kamikaze attacks and using the civilian population could avert the outcome.
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John Ozment, Stephen Parker, Mavrides, Kristina Colburn, Stefan Jackowski, Cardboard, William Kincade, William Wallace, Daniel L Garza, Chris Daley, Malcolm Swan, Christoph Wolf, Simen Røste, Jim F Barlow, Taylor Allen, Adam Smith, James Giliberto, Albert B. Knapp MD, Tobias Wildenblanck, Richard L Benkin, Marco Kuhnert, Matt Barnes, Ramon Rijkhoek, Jan, Scott Deederly, gsporie, Kekoa, Bruce G. Hearns, Hans Broberg, Fogeltje
» SOURCES
Alexander, Joseph H., “The Final Campaign: Marines in the Victory on Okinawa”, Marines in World War II Commemorative Series, (Washington D.C : Marine Corps Historical Center, 1996)
Nash, Douglas E., Battle of Okinawa: III MEF Staff Ride Battle Book, (Quanitco, VA : History Division, U.S. Marine Corps, 2015)
Rottman, Gordon, Okinawa 1945: The Last Battle, (Westport, CT : Praeger, 2004)
Shimpo, Ryukyu, Descent into Hell: Civilian Memories of the Battle of Okinawa, (Portland, ME : MerwinAsia, 2014)
Sledge, Eugene, With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa, (New York, NY : Ballantine Books, 2007)
Sloan, Bill, The Ultimate Battle: Okinawa 1945 - The Last Epic Struggle of World War II, (New York, NY : Simon & Schuster, 2007)
Yahara, Hiromichi, The Battle for Okinawa, (New York, NY : John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1995)
»CREDITS
Presented by: Jesse Alexander
Written by: Mark Newton, Jesse Alexander
Director: Toni Steller & Florian Wittig
Director of Photography: Toni Steller
Sound: Above Zero
Editing: Toni Steller
Motion Design: Philipp Appelt
Mixing, Mastering & Sound Design: above-zero.com
Research by: Mark Newton
Fact checking: Florian Wittig
Channel Design: Simon Buckmaster
Contains licensed material by getty images and AP
Maps: MapTiler/OpenStreetMap Contributors & GEOlayers3
All rights reserved - Real Time History GmbH 2022

[@realtimehistory]

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[@emmanuelfernandez04]

Great video, What will the next one be on?

[@extrahistory8956]

@@emmanuelfernandez04 It will most likely be either the Spanish-American War in The Great War channel or The Seventh Coalition in this channel.

[@user-ed8wc1yr8s]

Although there are negative opinions about the battleship Yamato's special attacks, they were used as decoys, and the special attack unit was able to achieve results in the American fleet's special attacks. However, (a moment of silence for the civilian victims as Okinawa became a battlefield) bombing of the mainland by fleet bombing became impossible. Many civilian lives have been saved. Kamikaze is not dog death! Thank you to Yamato, the escort fleet, and the kamikaze corps for dedicating your precious lives to your country. With the overlapping ten-stage special attacks of the Okinawa Special Attack Corps, the bombing of the Japanese mainland by the US military's carrier-based planes became impossible. Thanks to them, many civilians were saved! Defeated special attack unit A total of 37 aircraft carriers Hankook, Enterprise, Four Double, Indomibul, Victorious, Hanga, Hill, etc. Two battleships! Others: 300 dead, 556 wounded, 4,907 killed in battle and 4,824 wounded, 4,824 wounded, 1,827 killed in operation Kikusui Special attack aircraft, 3,067 total killed in Operation Kikusui, including fleets such as Yamato

[@johnkelley2615]

My grandpa, a BAR man in the marines fought across the entire island of Okinawa to the edge of the city of Naha where he was wounded. He’s 98 now

[@yeedbottomtext7563]

Based walking fire senior chad

[@johncox2865]

Tell him I said hello, and “Thanks🇺🇸”. My Uncle Carly fought in the South Pacific, but I don’t know where. He died about 30 years ago.

[@johncurtis6815]

Go spend time with him. Listen to him, hug him and tell him you love him. American hero right there, make sure he knows it lad.

[@mikeromero8162]

Much respect to your Grandfather. The Pacific war was probably one of the most difficult campaigns. Many young lives lost on both sides. May they RIP.

[@mgway4661]

Tell him from one Vet to another he has my undying respect and gratitude

[@edwardtroth8630]

The more one reads or hears about the battles of Okinawa and Iwo Jima, the more one realises how horrifying an invasion of the home islands would have been.

[@Abelius]

It's a terrible thing to say, I know, but the bombs saved countless Japanese lives. Many times more than they stole. I hope they never get used again.

[@mgway4661]

@@Abeliusour propaganda is working then. Im an avid reader of the 2nd world war. And I tell you. The bombs were not necessary (nor were the fire bombing of the other cities) We could have negotiated a surrender.

[@edwardtroth8630]

@@Abelius Honeatly, I've no sympathy for the japanese regarding the bombs whatsoever. Unit 731, the rape of Nanking. Not to mention their plans to kill all allied POWs. They got off lucky, just thankfully our grandfathers came home in 1945 instead of dying in the Far-East in 1946.

[@enrique88005]

@@mgway4661 wishful thinking. They would have never surrendered. I don't blame them, I don't think we Americans would ever surrender

[@johntaylor4513]

@@mgway4661 the bombs were absolutely necessary, they objectively saved way more lives. "avid reader" lol

[@user-ux1lz7rr3r]

I was born in Okinawa. When I was a child, people who experienced the war are still alive, and I have seen elderly people without arms or legs. My mother was a child born after the war, but my grandmother and grandfather both experienced and witnessed the war. Luckily they were alive, but war was scary, and my grandmother and grandfather were a little bit afraid of Americans (not discriminatory, of course.) I am now have an American wife. I am married and live in America. It's a wonderful time to find love and have children in countries that used to be enemies. I have wondered how my grandfather and grandmother would feel when they saw me now. My mother's sister had already married an American, and my grandfather and grandmother had accepted that, so I'm sure they would be happy with me. In Okinawa, there is a word like this. "Nuchi dyu takara" means "life is the true treasure" in Okinawa native language. my grandmother used to say this

[@aloeveratropical]

美しい言葉つきです。私はアメリカ人、でも日本で仕事があります。もと平安な世界が良かったです。 (私の日本語は下手だよ、変な日本語でごめん。)

[@manubishe]

The Island was conquered, the residents left without children, the younger generation lured to live in the conqueror's lands. All in line with the tribal thinking.

[@user-qr2ym7nu5v]

Ryukyu language is facing distinction.

[@tehcsiamg3185]

​

[@chiaraog5476]

If you are happy, I am for sure your grandparents would be happy too.

[@Mondo762]

My father, a US Army Combat Engineer, fought all the way to the most southern tip of Okinawa. General Buckner was less than 100 yards from my dad when he got killed by a mortar. He never spoke in detail but did say he was involved in a lot of cave fighting. You could see on his face that it was a hard, grueling experience that left a lasting mark on him.

[@robertmartinez7307]

He's a hero.

[@navaro1060]

We thank your father service. We lived in borneo south east asia. My grandparent told us nightmare stories, the japanese kills thousand live including women and children. He also almost got killed. But hes got lucky and live to tell us how cruel the war was. Tell your father, without their sacrifice. We wont have our indepence from japan. ❤

[@azurecliff8709]

On April 1, 1945, during the Pacific War, US forces landed and began occupying Okinawa, Japan. The villages in Okinawa had only women, children and old people, because all the young men had been mobilized for the war. Taking advantage of this situation, the US military began "woman hunting" in broad daylight and repeatedly raped or raped and murdered. ■ Try to search for "Rape during the occupation of Japan" ❢❢❢ 😫😖😩😱

[@Mondo762]

@@azurecliff8709 Get out of this thread.

[@azurecliff8709]

@@Mondo762 No, cause I love you.

[@kevincourtney7312]

I was stationed on Okinawa at Kadena AFB in the 1970s in the Civil Engineers so as base maintenance we got to see a lot of the hidden corners of the facilities. There were Japanese bunkers in several places on Kadena and our other facilities and it gave me chills to thin of the battles that raged around them just thirty years before. If you ever get to go to the battle field at Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, you'll get a similar feeling, the silence of death permeates the place.

[@carolhill1102]

Kevin:: the feeling may be similar to the the disquiet I felt in Montana at the site of Custer's last stand. Odd, kind of fear, restlessness. Hard to describe. I'm not a vet so I have nothing to compare the feeling to.

[@brandonwingfield4166]

Did you experience any weird things at Kadena? Just curious

[@forcesmuggler7667]

Gettysburg truly is something

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

@@forcesmuggler7667love all the monuments to every regiment at the battle, all in a place roughly where they’d been on the lines. Staring accross the field where picketts charge happened. Seeing all the bullet holes and cannon holes in the buildings. It’s a truly amazing place to experience.

[@iwa7649]

used to live on kadena. that base is haunted 😂

[@budgregory8493]

My dad, U.S.Navy arrived in Iwo Jima first of March 1945. He turned 20 on the way. From there on to Okinawa then the Philippines. My hero may he RIP.

[@Me-fm9zk]

Isn’t it ironic that the victorious and the losers of the war are now both dead, making the outcome irrelevant. It’s just matter of who got killed or died first, but in the end, they are now both dead.

[@marklandmarkofexcellence6629]

@@Me-fm9zk But, the actions of both the victors and losers then determined your present liberty & freedom from tyranny and oppression. It wasn't for nothing. They fought and died for you to live a better life today.

[@takebacktheholyland9306]

@@Me-fm9zk "making the outcome irrelevant" now riddle me this smart man, socrates is dead for 2 millenia then why does he still matter? Same could be said for the inventor of the lightbulb thomas eddison, steve jobs ceo of apple or Shakespeare? They're all dead making their contributions to society worthless? Well that's because firstly, there's these things called "consequences" which is the equivalent of ripples in a pool of water. Despite the droplet disappearing causing the ripple, the ripple doesn't stop entirely, but rather goes on despite it's cause being very much gone. If the world functioned by the individual and not what they have done then we would not be having this conversation in the internet

[@richardcostello360]

@@marklandmarkofexcellence6629 you Americunt butchers invaded a homeland of honourable warriors and couldn't fight them so you decided to go and nuke them back to a glowing Stone Age

[@Me-fm9zk]

@@marklandmarkofexcellence6629 They did? Aren’t you justifying war as means to resolve conflict and now I need to be thankful for the killings of innocent men and women for the freedom that I am enjoying right now? Are you saying that as a Japanese, my life is better now because the Americans dropped an atomic bomb in my homeland, and as an American, I should be thankful because Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, otherwise my life would have been different? Tell me, what would be our lives today if Japan and US did not declare war back then? Does anybody know what would life in Iraq would be if US did not invade Iraq? The answer is “no one knows”, and your answer was based purely on your speculations. Our lives today was shaped not only by the action by our parents, but by our very own actions at present. Those people back than reacted not to forge the future of their sons and grandsons, but reacted only to the situation presented to them at that time.

[@johnhardwick9911]

My parents took me and my two brothers to Okinawa in Nov 51. They lived on Okinawa for 21 years working for the US Army. I have many fond memories of the people of Okinawa and I left when I finished high school. I returned four years later after completing 2 tours in Vietnam with the US Army and enjoyed 5 more years on the island, which had greatly improved. Okinawa is now considered the vacation destination of Japanese visitors.

[@johnvann2940]

That’s ironic

[@DarkWraithKevin]

@@johnvann2940 what's more is that it used to be a place where they would take their prisoners for exile during the Pre-Edo period

[@Canadianvoice]

Crazy what Americans did to Okinawa civilians after the war. Hope your related wasn't involved in that.

[@FlowingValley]

On April 1, 1945, during the Pacific War, US forces landed and began occupying Okinawa, Japan. The villages in Okinawa had only women, children and old people, because all the young men had been mobilized for the war. Taking advantage of this situation, the US military began "woman hunting" in broad daylight and repeatedly raped or raped and murdered. ★ Try to search for "Rape during the occupation of Japan" ❢❢❢

[@maximus0928]

@@FlowingValleythe US military went woman hunting. Shoot I was expecting to research a new rape of Nanking story. Yes there were rapes, rape in general is always wrong. But to say the US Military was woman hunting is completely false. Compare that to Nanking or any Japanese occupied area of women or just the local populations and you’ll wonder why wasn’t US stronger on seeking more recriminations from Japan.

[@OlJarhead]

Remembering my cousin, Marine Private Clarence Milton Staples from Bethlehem, Indiana, killed in action in bitter fighting in the Awacha Pocket of the Shuri Line on 7 May 1945.

[@richardthornhill4630]

I was stationed in Sukuran 20 years later. Many of the battle scars were still there. The caves were horrendous hideouts but the Okinawans adjusted and most were very friendly after they realizing how the Japanese had used them.

[@user-ed8wc1yr8s]

Although there are negative opinions about the battleship Yamato's special attacks, they were used as decoys, and the special attack unit was able to achieve results in the American fleet's special attacks. However, (a moment of silence for the civilian victims as Okinawa became a battlefield) bombing of the mainland by fleet bombing became impossible. Many civilian lives have been saved. Kamikaze is not dog death! Thank you to Yamato, the escort fleet, and the kamikaze corps for dedicating your precious lives to your country. With the overlapping ten-stage special attacks of the Okinawa Special Attack Corps, the bombing of the Japanese mainland by the US military's carrier-based planes became impossible. Thanks to them, many civilians were saved! Defeated special attack unit A total of 37 aircraft carriers Hankook, Enterprise, Four Double, Indomibul, Victorious, Hanga, Hill, etc. Two battleships! Others: 300 dead, 556 wounded, 4,907 killed in battle and 4,824 wounded, 4,824 wounded, 1,827 killed in operation Kikusui Special attack aircraft, 3,067 total killed in Operation Kikusui, including fleets such as Yamato

[@dave-d-grunt]

I spent almost 3 years on Camp Hansen, Okinawa. 1974-77. USMC

[@user-ed8wc1yr8s]

@@dave-d-grunt Thank you for your hard work.

[@user-ed8wc1yr8s]

@@dave-d-grunt All those killed in the war between Japan and the United States Salute to the Marine Corps! am philippines kamikaze corps mechanic

[@daleknight777]

@@dave-d-grunt I was a Schwab 1979 -81 USMC 0331 fox co 2/4

[@user-sw6qw3ih1o]

My grandfather's older brother was sent to Okinawa after being put on standby at Kure, Hiroshima for months. He sent letters to my grandfather in Osaka saying how he was so excited to finally do his part for Japan. He never made it back. Apparently he was 15 at the time.

[@Standbackforscience]

It's nice to read something from the Japanese side of the war, thanks for sharing this.

[@mjs3343]

Sad.

[@Golfing422]

I work with a 98 yo man who was there. He spoke of the flame thrower guy losing his mind and those guys having to get rotated. After the surrender served as one of MacArthur’s guards. Still got his body and mind at 98.

[@Dulex123]

I thank him very much 🙏

[@richardcostello360]

So he got rewarded for his war crimes and became one of "Mac's Murderers" 😳 That's not something to be proud of mate..... MacArthur sent his "personal guard" to kill Aussies in "Battle of Brisbane"

[@morgan97475]

My mother, an Okinawan, told me of attending school classes in caves during the US assault.

[@circleofsorrow4583]

Did your mother describe the conduct of US soldiers when they found young Japanese women? I'm really curious.

[@morgan97475]

@@circleofsorrow4583 She did not.

[@circleofsorrow4583]

@@morgan97475 thanks for the reply. I wanted to believe that they were the ones that didn't act like animals.

[@TheEvilmooseofdoom]

@@circleofsorrow4583 Were there any Japanese women on Okinawa?

[@circleofsorrow4583]

@@TheEvilmooseofdoom I'm sorry...I might not be following the thread, but the OP seems to be saying her Okinawan mother was in a cave near where US infantry were assaulting. I get these things wrong though.

[@chinavirus4436]

Veteran of the USMC and was stationed in Okinawa back in 2013-2016. Crazy to see all the places I’ve been in actual combat footage.

[@nateb9768]

My grandmothers uncle was a Marine who fought on Iwo Jima. Letters from Iwo Jima gives me chills every time I watch that film. Can’t imagine the sights, sounds, and smells that my grandmas uncle experienced over there.

[@hawkeyeten2450]

This is the place where my great-uncle Harold (USMC) was KIA. Our family suspects he was killed by Japanese guerilla fighters on the island. May he and all others who died in this hellish struggle RIP.

[@joycechuah6398]

Imagine if they invaded Japan, even if they won the battle, so many Americans would have been killed by Japanese guerillas !

[@ChefPoirotProductions1]

@@joycechuah6398 Yeah, we're still giving our troops purple hearts that were made for the preparation of that invasion!

[@dave-d-grunt]

@@joycechuah6398there were estimates of up to 10 years of guerrilla warfare.

[@richardcostello360]

Your great uncle invaded these people.......he deserved worse for his murderous Americunt ways

[@ChefPoirotProductions1]

@@richardcostello360 lol. The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

[@USAR8888]

Reading the book "With the Old Breed" by Eugene Sledge was really an eye opener as to just how savage and animalistic the combat of the Pacific theater was, and specifically Okinawa. It almost makes fighting the Germans in the European theater look tame by comparison, although I don't want to downplay the brutality of that theater in any way. But there was a different element of extreme savagery in the combat of the Pacific. I cannot imagine what those men went through. That book was extremely difficult and heartbreaking to read, to see the sadistic violence that literal boys who hadn't yet become men were forced into. One of the most profound and memorable war memoirs I've ever read.

[@ramsfan1st43]

The part where his superior refuses to let him move his foxhole. I'd also swear at the dude...

[@dingus6317]

@@chuckginther1398 The Pacific is actually about Eugene Sledge's book!

[@cobrachannel100]

Eastern front was more savage and brutal between Germans and Soviets. FYI.

[@user-cu6ij1ui4i]

@@cobrachannel100 still it was arguably less than the pacific.

[@cobrachannel100]

@@user-cu6ij1ui4i The numbers just dont compare. The battles in the Pacific are like child's play in comparison to Stalingrad, Rzev, Kursk, just to name a few.

[@extrahistory8956]

Yet another battle that I really don't know much about. Thanks RTH. This channel is a great way to learn about the final battles of World War 2.

[@jessealexander2695]

Appreciate your consistent support in the comments, friend.

[@b.thomas8926]

I suggest reading "With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa." By EB Sledge, one of the people RTH quoted. It gives an incredible first person perspective of a Marine during the battle of both Okinawa and the nearly forgotten battle of Peleliu. It's an incredible tale.

[@tanyapunyo2074]

I gues you're new

[@extrahistory8956]

@@tanyapunyo2074 Not really. I know my history and that Okinawa is the last major campaign of the Pacific front, but I never actually looked into how the battle played out.

[@tanyapunyo2074]

@@extrahistory8956 okk

[@kirbyleung2810]

My Uncle S/Sgt William T Leung, machine gunner, 7th Infantry Division, awarded Bronze Star Medal for Heroic Achievement, Okinawa Campaign. Veteran of 4 major campaigns, survived the war.

[@roderickstockdale1678]

Chinese? How did feel about them?

[@user-ed8wc1yr8s]

Although there are negative opinions about the battleship Yamato's special attacks, they were used as decoys, and the special attack unit was able to achieve results in the American fleet's special attacks. However, (a moment of silence for the civilian victims as Okinawa became a battlefield) bombing of the mainland by fleet bombing became impossible. Many civilian lives have been saved. Kamikaze is not dog death! Thank you to Yamato, the escort fleet, and the kamikaze corps for dedicating your precious lives to your country. With the overlapping ten-stage special attacks of the Okinawa Special Attack Corps, the bombing of the Japanese mainland by the US military's carrier-based planes became impossible. Thanks to them, many civilians were saved! Defeated special attack unit A total of 37 aircraft carriers Hankook, Enterprise, Four Double, Indomibul, Victorious, Hanga, Hill, etc. Two battleships! Others: 300 dead, 556 wounded, 4,907 killed in battle and 4,824 wounded, 4,824 wounded, 1,827 killed in operation Kikusui Special attack aircraft, 3,067 total killed in Operation Kikusui, including fleets such as Yamato

[@longrider188]

Most people don't know more Sailors died in the Battle of Okinawa than any other branch of the military.

[@JJ_5289]

It was insane. At one point there was a 40 day long stretch where an allied ship was hit by a kamikaze every day

[@TTvReborn187]

my grandpa fought through almost all of the Pacific campaign. I was really young when he was around but I do remember one story. he told me is group was hunkered down in a bunker waiting on bombs to drop and that the guy beside him had pooped himself. and when the bombs hit, he said you could feel the whole earth move. and the leader told em," up and out it's time to go, up the ladder". grandpa said he got stuck behind the guy that pooped himself and on the way up the ladder, it was dropping on him. grandpa said he was upset but he had a job to do.

[@user-sz8dr3ef2s]

I am an Okinawan citizen living in Okinawa. My grandparents experienced the Battle of Okinawa. My grandfather passed away before I was born, but I often hear stories about their war through my grandmother. Also, every year in Okinawa schools, we invite people who experienced the war to the school and listen to their stories, and we actually visit the Peace Memorial Museum, which has detailed information about the Battle of Okinawa, and learn about how tragic the Battle of Okinawa was. Masu. Okinawa also suffered very difficult times not only during the war, but also after the war. For a time, the Okinawan dialect was even banned. I think Okinawa has had a really difficult history, and I am truly proud of my ancestors who survived such a difficult past. I love this country and Okinawa very much. It may be a beautiful thing, but I want war to disappear from this world.

[@user-sz8dr3ef2s]

I used a translator, so some parts may not be clear.

[@JawsFan27]

The amount of explosive ordnance used on Okinawa was so much, they're still finding it to this day (an unexploded shell was found a few weeks ago during some construction work). That comment about the rain is spot-on. It rains so hard you can barely see in front of you. I genuinely wonder how those guys did it fighting in such miserable conditions.

[@sesameseedbar8853]

Ordinance is found everywhere wars have been fought though. With an average percentile of around 2.5% failure rates of explosives, there's bound to be plenty.

[@user-sz8dr3ef2s]

That's right. It is said that a subway cannot be built in Okinawa for these reasons.

[@MichiganRick]

My dad was there April 1, 1945 Easter Sunday. He was a BAR man with the 88th Chemical Mortar Battalion Company C attached to the 96th Infantry Division. He received his Purple Heart being wounded on June 7th 1945.

[@alberthartl8885]

My father was commander of the 17th Regiment of 7th Infantry Division. I grew up with stories of the horror of this campaign.

[@christianhill45]

My great grandpa was on one of the LSTs that landed on Okinawa. I never was able to meet him because he died a long time ago, but I still have all his medals and the flag that flew on his ship when it landed. It's a great reminder of what happened on that day.

[@tigerland4328]

You should be eternally proud of your grandfather. Although he never fought against the Japanese my grandfather was in the British army and fought in north Africa,Italy and at Arnhem. He had a lot of respect for American servicemen.

[@tracysturgill9146]

RIP Pvt. Albert Walcott, USMC, KIA, Okinawa, May 8th, 1945. He was 25.

[@jololol7158]

I was stationed in Okinawa for a year and one day we had a company run and ended up going towards the Naval Hospital up on the hill. (Camp Foster IYKYK). We stopped there and the higher ups had a little talk about something that I dont really remembered.. or cared but I then looked towards the ocean and you suddenly put a perspective of how the Allies stormed the beaches of Okinawa and up this long and steep hill back then. It was an eye opener for me. Ill never forget it.

[@scout3058]

I was the first surgical patient at that new hospital, in April 2013. I crashed my motorcycle up near Hedo Misaki (not far from JWTC) and had my left tibia and fibula reconstructed in the hospital 4 days before it officially opened.

[@jololol7158]

@@scout3058 Really? Thats gotta be a dope experience bro. Glad that you’re doing fine.

[@scout3058]

@jololol7158 Best 4 years of my life spent on that island, brother. Thanks. I have lingering issues from the crash, but nothing that prevents me from working, riding etc.

[@LawrenceGarvin-ve4lj]

My Grandfather is in the first 20 seconds...medic on Iwo Jima and a closeup of him wearing glasses. He was in his 40s at the time and was at a mass that a Jesuit priest conducted at the top of the hill after the island was taken. He ended up in Japan treating those who had been injured after the atomic bomb was dropped. He returned to Toledo Ohio after the war and continued his work as a doctor. Sadly, he passed away in the 1950s when my dad was only 19 and I never had the opportunity to meet him.

[@abdihassan7208]

0:13 is that him? No way , really?!

[@jasonmendoza8948]

Great research, references, presentation, and visuals! Love your channel!

[@michaelbenjmitchell1]

My grandfather was a combat engineer with the 1308th Engineer (GS) Regiment Company E and his unit was tasked with bringing Kadena field back online first before heading to the second airfield. The 1308th was hand picked by Army Command after the Battle of the Bulge for this operation back in January 1945.

[@Mondo762]

My father was also a combat engineer in the US Army. He fought all the way to the southern tip of the island. He was involved in a lot of cave fighting. Nasty stuff.

[@michaelbenjmitchell1]

@@Mondo762 What unit?

[@Mondo762]

@@michaelbenjmitchell1 Gosh, I wish I could tell you. My guess is he was attached to the Infantry for this particular operation. On Guam he was attached to the Marines. He went in on a raft at night and cleared the beach for them. The marines didn't have combat engineers back then.

[@steveburgess9180]

My Uncle David, fathers side, served on the HMS Victorious, one of three British aircraft carriers to be deployed for the battle of Okinawa, he was a deck gunner. Didn't really know him much. All I remember is that he was 6ft 6 and looked like Clint Walker. Big Irish man with blue eyes. My Dad said that he suffered with night terrors for years after he retired. Just thinking about those kamikaze pilots diving straight into those ships makes me wonder how he survived at all

[@user-fl6ek2yq1n]

Proximity fuze

[@jonmcgee6987]

An amusing story I heard about this battle. When U.S forces reached and took what I think was Shuri castle. The officer in charge of the unit decided to raise a flag over the castle. The thing is, this officer was a native of South Carolina. One who clearly had a strong sense of southern patriotism. I let you guess what flag he used. Much to the annoyance of the northern troops with him.

[@johnclarencemercado4218]

There's a photo of that exact story somewhere on the internet. It's on Sledge's book too.

[@Idcanymore510]

Probably planning to enslave the Japanese, just like his grandaddy did to Africans.

[@Techno_Idioto]

They should have torn down that flag and burned it, and instead should have raised an American flag, instead of a banner of treason.

[@TomFynn]

The Duke of Hazard.

[@richardcostello360]

Well atleast he was honest about what the Americans were like.... cowardly war criminals

[@fredselbman3319]

I was stationed on Okinawa for a year and a half when I was in the Marine Corps Infantry, at Camp Hansen and Camp Schwab, 79 and again in 82, I served with 3/9, 2/4 and 3/7 ! Semper Fi Devil Dogs 🇺🇸

[@scout3058]

0311 3/9 88 to 92 here. Did UDP to Schwab in 89 and then went back to Okinawa as a civilian 2012-2016. Semper Fi, bro.

[@minkymott]

Thanks for a great video, the best I've seen on the Okinawa Battle so far. And a huge thanks for appearing in the video. I like to put a face to the narrator.

[@ProgrammedForDamage]

My grandfather served on an Australian Naval Minesweeper during the Battle of Okinawa, going out on patrol and escort duties. I found it logged in his war record.

[@RollTide1987]

I visited Okinawa in December 2017 and had a hard time reconciling what the island looked like then compared to what it was like in May 1945.

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Everything about your presentation was fantastic! Thank you for doing what you do!

[@philipleong2602]

I read that the soldiers carrying the flame throwers were the most afraid and also the bravest. They were needed as the flame throwers were needed to spit flames into caves to flush out the Japanese but they were also afraid because one lucky bullet hitting their tank and they would blow up

[@halfmanthehand8803]

I remember reading "With the Old Breed" by Eugene Sledge. His descriptions of Okinawa are haunting.

[@bobbirdwell5452]

I was stationed on “The Rock” 30 years ago…they were still finding 2 or 3 bodies every year and there were caves you couldn’t go into because they were booby trapped.

[@johnsterling6659]

I was stationed at Okinawa 76-78. I never heard a single story about bodies being found. I did find a lot of passed out drunk bodies in the bars on Gate Two Street. I saw a Marine get beat to a bloody pulp by a JNP on BC Street. I went into a lot of the caves. Never heard a single story about booby traps. I did find some rusty Japanese helmets, a rotted gas mask, a rusty bayonet scabbard and some nasty looking bugs.

[@tristanburgos1]

Appreciate your videos! Great imagery and storytelling that always gives me a real glimpse into past. Wish you could’ve been my history teacher lol

[@solidus1995]

My grandfather fought here as a medic. Not sure what he saw exactly since he died before I was born. I only have his dog tags. My other grandpa fought across the Rhineland. I also have a great grandfather who fought for the 3rd Reich and a great great grandfather who fought for imperial germany.

[@indianajones4321]

Great documentary, excited to see what the team makes next

[@Ryman1009]

My great grandpa was a Marine wounded on sugar loaf. Nearly his whole company was wiped out on that hill. Lucky guy.

[@thcdreams654]

Another great video. Thanks Jesse and crew.

[@GoLion]

I just subscribed to your channel. The way you tell these tales of history is done with such great respect and care to both sides. I can't help but feel heavy hearted at the sight of what went down in those dark days. Thank you for handling this subject matter with such respect.

[@josten8044]

An effective strategy used by the Japanese indeed. The losses the Empire takes can mean little so long as they prolong the battle and damage the Americans as much as possible. This battle, and Iwo Jima just a couple months prior, just goes to show how well the Japanese were adapting to American landings by studying them over the last 2 years of the war. Even though the Japanese lacked the heavy firepower the Americans used, their excellent use of natural terrain, camouflage, and deception among many other factors allowed them severely punish any attackers all over the Empire. I must ask though, will Real Time History cover the Battle of Peleliu or Biak? Biak might not be well known, but it was the first battle the Japanese put their new tactics into practice.

[@Terrorwanderer]

I 100 % agree with you

[@huiyinghong3073]

Why cant they resupply Okinawa at night from mainland Japan with their remaining ships, replacing their daily losses in men and equipment silently at night. That will prolong the battle even more.

[@paulsteaven]

@@huiyinghong3073 The US Navy (and its allies) were now more well equipped against the Japanese night time (armed and supply) operations. Aside from thousands of ships deployed during Operation Iceberg, its aircrafts has radar now (F6F-N Hellcats, Black Cats) and its ships has better ASW capabilities compared during the Guadalcanal campaign wherin the Japanese didn't just use their fast destroyers for transport runs (Tokyo express) but as well as their submarines. Lastly, the sinking of Yamato as well as her cruiser and escort destroyers sealed the hope of resupplying Okinawa from mainland Japan.

[@srgvette28]

@@paulsteaven, plus after the Battle of Midway the Japanese navy was pretty much done for, as it was becoming more clear that aircraft carriers were the future of naval warfare, not giant battleships.

[@paulsteaven]

@@srgvette28 maybe you missed the part that the Kido Butai still has a chance at the Guadalcanal campaign or once the Essex class become online. The quality the airgroup of both Shokaku and Zuikaku plus IJN's light carriers were better (if not equal) to the combined airgroup of USS Enterprise, USS Hornet, USS Wasp, and USS Saratoga as the former were reinforced with the addition of surviving pilots of Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu. It's just that the Americans has an unsinkable carrier in the form of Henderson Field. The IJN was done for after the Battle of Philippine Sea that even tho Ozawa exploited the impressive range of Japanese aircrafts, they were still nothing compared to the better aircrafts and equipments of the US Navy.

[@Sakai070]

My grandfather was on the radar picket line at Okinawa, USS Ingersoll DD 652.

[@ashleymarie7452]

Excellent content, presentation and graphics. Thanks!

[@jeffe9842]

I'm a history buff (nut? lol) and just found this channel. This is the first video I've watched and I was intrigued. New subscriber.

[@realtimehistory]

welcome to the show. Check out our video about Iwo Jima too if you are interested in the Pacific Front of WW2.

[@user-tf4ho2uo1e]

I got chills reading that haiku from Isamu Cho

[@HarryWHill-GA]

My great-uncle and namesake, VADM Harry W Hill, was Commander Amphibious Group Two which landed the Marines and Army on Okinawa.

[@redboy4315]

Lovely! Thank you so much for doing this video.

[@masterbuilderproductions]

My neighbor (much like a great grandfather) saw similar fighting as a BAR gunner in Manila 1945. He’s 97 now

[@navret1707]

My father was on a tin can in the North Atlantic. After the successful capture of Okinawa his can was heading toward WESTPAC via the Panama Canal. Thank you, Harry Truman.

[@drewtheceo9024]

My grandfather, who was a 20+ year veteran of the air force, was stationed in Okinawa after the capture. The stories I have heard are too many in number. My mom being the military brat. Lived on base. Always talked about the papa-san selling candy thru the military fence to the American children. Stories on stories. Cool people. Minus the imperial warmongers that made the mainland at the time. Japanese culture fascinates me.

[@MikeSmith-vl5em]

Probably because they had one of the most honourable warrior culture and didn’t treat war like a game like the European knights did trading nobles for ransom... complete victory or absolute destruction

[@RespectMyAuthoritaah]

The Japanese culture will fascinate you a lot less once you learn more about it. They despise all foreigners. Okinawan's actively hate Americans. They rioted when we returned Okinawa to Japan. They rioted to get American Airbase at Kadena out of their country. There is nothing American's can do that is right. I actually felt it when I left base to visit the town. Menacing. One trip was enough for me.

[@user-ed8wc1yr8s]

Although there are negative opinions about the battleship Yamato's special attacks, they were used as decoys, and the special attack unit was able to achieve results in the American fleet's special attacks. However, (a moment of silence for the civilian victims as Okinawa became a battlefield) bombing of the mainland by fleet bombing became impossible. Many civilian lives have been saved. Kamikaze is not dog death! Thank you to Yamato, the escort fleet, and the kamikaze corps for dedicating your precious lives to your country. With the overlapping ten-stage special attacks of the Okinawa Special Attack Corps, the bombing of the Japanese mainland by the US military's carrier-based planes became impossible. Thanks to them, many civilians were saved! Defeated special attack unit A total of 37 aircraft carriers Hankook, Enterprise, Four Double, Indomibul, Victorious, Hanga, Hill, etc. Two battleships! Others: 300 dead, 556 wounded, 4,907 killed in battle and 4,824 wounded, 4,824 wounded, 1,827 killed in operation Kikusui Special attack aircraft, 3,067 total killed in Operation Kikusui, including fleets such as Yamato

[@t.michaelbodine4341]

Great video. Very well produced. Thank you.

[@alfredogoyburu1129]

Great video! However what happened to the campaign to take the northern part of the island? The last mention of that was at 6:36.

[@kilo21swp]

I stationed on Okinawa in the 80’s. My Uncle was there in the 60’s. My grandmothers nephew, guess my cousin, was there during the battle. He was Ie Shima. One or two jeeps behind Ernie Pyle’s jeep when he was killed in the ambush. Beautiful Island. I knew the people did not care for us. Understandable. I tried to courteous and respectful while there. I like the vid. I had to stop watching since YT was throwing ads in every minute or so. Very well done.

[@marceldavis5600]

Hello Jesse and the team, thank you for the dcoumentary about the battle of Okinawa (1945). Are you planning to do one about the battle of Crete (1940)? That would be really cool.

[@SuperNoobz22]

Cool to see Eugene Sledge quoted in this video. His book is a fantastic read.

[@weltvonalex]

The kid at 14:04 makes me sad, I have a daughter in that age and seeing it shiver and full of fear hits hard

[@philho.youtube]

For pronunciation, the stress is on the first syllable: OH kee na wa. You keep stressing the second syllable "kee".

[@user-gl7zj5ri2n]

私は日本人です。 This uses google translate. I'm sorry if there is any misunderstanding. There are some points that need to be corrected. That is the Japanese army placement map in the beginning. As of April 1945, the 44th Independent Mixed Brigade was not stationed on the Katsuren Peninsula, but on the Chinen Peninsula.

[@CaptPineapple]

Dad's two older brothes were in the USMC. One of them, uncle John was on this island.

[@Me-fm9zk]

You must be really old. Your uncle should be at least 98 yrs old if they were there when they were 21. How old are you? 75?

[@S-A-Q]

Couldn’t wait to get home from work to watch this. Once again excellent content from RTH

[@jessiejane6259]

We’re in Okinawa this week and it is amazing and sad to imagine what war was like back then compared to modern busy city full of tourists today.

[@luigidisanpietro3720]

The book "With the Old Breed" of Eugene B. Sledge is such a great read. It is so vividly told that I dream of it....

[@realtimehistory]

agreed

[@212th]

The complete audio book version is free on KZbin

[@CaseNumber00]

16:15 Just looking at the casualties, Japan had about 18 times more than US forces. From these number, they are very similar to the estimated killed during one of the atomic bomb drops. I cant imagine the casualties for a land invasion of Japan.

[@therampanthamster]

true. many people have no appreciation of just how many lives the dropping of the 2 A-bombs actually saved.

[@diollinebranderson6553]

​@@therampanthamsterbecause they are shortsighted and brainwashed by the far leftist Americans.

[@zwenz365]

Currently watching the show "The Pacific" and some of the basis of it follows Eugene Sledge through these island battles. so cool to see him mentioned here in this video too.

[@five4fighting194]

I was stationed on Okinawa in 86-87. Camp Schwab near Henoko up north. Nago was a cool city.

[@cameronward9443]

The fact that I had three ads for Mitsubishi cars while watching this was just hilarious to me...

[@dougm5341]

Sledgehammer’s account of combat in the Pacific is second to none.

[@TranscendianIntendor]

A familiar voice for me. Glad to see the gentleman. I wish more explaining was done about the VPN. I bought it about 5 or 6 months ago and end up clicking on the US where I live.

[@julio5prado]

Great overview!

[@colinlibby9832]

My father was a Sea going Marine stationed on the Battleship USS ARKANSAS BB-33 as an Anti-Aircraft gunner. Fought off the coast of Normandy on D-Day, Iwo jima and Okinawa. He spoke about being in a turret above the crane with no cover. "You just had to take what came at you" he'd say "No where to hide". He said that towards the end of the battle of Okinawa when the Kamakazi attacks subsided. They pulled he and his fellow Marines off ship to the Island for guard duty for a short time. Then island hopped his way back to San Fransisco by sea and air. One plane ride had to make an emergency landing on an Island. Then train ride to New England to get home. Spent the fall preparing for the invasion of Japan. Had no remorse whatso ever about the two Atomic Bombs on Japan to end the war.

[@clydeblair9622]

The decisive decision to use the Bomb, Truman said "I don't want another Okinawa" referring to an invasion.

[@NigelDeForrest-Pearce-cv6ek]

Brilliant Summary of the Battle!!!!

[@DancingShiva788]

Nice presentation. I enjoyed it very much.

[@NazShion]

8:30.. Damn that looks like a direct artillery hit..

[@johnwick-ii6il]

Father was a merchant marine during the Japanese invasions of china and other islands. His friend was with UPI, I think, and wanted father to photograph all he witnessed. So he supplied father with cameras, film Etc. The pictures he took were horrific, and his friend made copies for newsreels and propaganda. I have spotted some of his pics. over the years on the internet. I got in a bunch of trouble for taking them to high school for a history project. I guess they werent happy about major war crimes.

[@lelouchvibritannia4028]

Why would you get in trouble for sharing the truth? Honestly, that pisses me off.

[@jjfilli7]

My grandad was there serving with the 137th 139th Seabees NCB. His brother was there as well serving with the marines.

[@joezephyr]

Best ever on this subject thenk you

[@usmc-veteran7316]

I was stationed on Okinawa with the Marine Corps Aug74 to Sep75. So much History there. Some of the "older" Okinawans did not like the Japanese from Mainland Japan.

[@4FYTfa8EjYHNXjChe8xs7xmC5pNEtz]

Okinawans also experienced a lot of prejudice in mainland Japan. Even now they're regarded by many Japanese as somewhat "different." Not really fully Japanese, but not foreign either. Younger Japanese I know consider Okinawans to be fully Japanese, and view Japan's past treatment of them as shameful.

[@theheartland1861]

the last battle my dad fought. Easter Sunday 4/1/45. he was a 20 year old SSGT, and was told to expect 100% casualty rates. 82 days later, the enemy defeated and the island secured. next stop, the japanese mainland

[@dkithore]

Well done with real footage and photos and people's sacrfice that paved the way for peace in the world.

[@stephensheedy3520]

Great video!

[@observer7981]

My grandpa's brother faught in Okinawa the deadliest battle of the war

[@observer7981]

He past away a couple years ago

[@leonardhall5324]

My brother was there Edward T Hall wounded 16 shots he was on five different Islands Saipan Okinawa Bougainville y Iwo Jima and fought with the Australian army 🪖

[@daveosmena5005]

Thank u for your information. I cried

[@janostoth4315]

Wow ! At 00:14:03 is the strongest emotionally moving picture, that I have ever seen !

[@tokencivilian8507]

Great episode as always RTH.

[@Jer0503]

This was great! Absolutely

[@MarkDenson-ld8bf]

Thank you for this very informative and sad video

[@kevinhealey6540]

12:55 My father was in Okinawa. He said that he remembered approaching a civilian area. Him and his unit could see a Japanese civilian throwing his wife and children off a cliff. The civilian was convinced that the American attacking force would torture them because of Japanese radio propaganda broadcasts. Guy cried his eyes out when he found out it wasn't true. 13:39 He said when a Japanese unit surrendered it was not taken seriously and as Japanese soldiers approached with raised hands and came within range, they were gunned down. Their bodies were examined and they were always loaded to the hilt with concealed grenades and weapons. The Americans learned from sad experience that a Japanese surrender was always a ruse.

[@billybob1723]

My 98 year old dad served in the navy a fought at Okinawa, as well as the rest of the US island hopping campaign.

[@hanshans8612]

Powerful. Thanks

[@ace_ofchaos9292]

"Everything that was asked of us - we've done. Every night we lay in a filthy foxhole - prayin' the enemy won't slit our throats. Every day we spent crawling through the mud and the dirt while bullets whistled all around. But this is the last time we're gonna have to put our lives on the line. This is the enemy's last stand. When we take Shuri Castle, we go home. All of us"

[@shadetreemech290]

My dad was a sailor on a destroyer escort, a boatswains mate, and a loader on a bofers gun. He faced down the kamikazes.