The Battle of Okinawa in 1945 was a major battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II. [1] It was important for the Allies to take the island of Okinawa to cut off Japanese supply lines and have a place to refuel and repair ships before invading Japan. [2] The battle resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, especially among Japanese troops and Okinawan civilians, with estimates of over 75,000 civilian deaths. [3] Ultimately, the Allied victory at Okinawa paved the way for the planned invasion of Japan's mainland, though the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the war before an invasion was necessary.

1. Stef Cohen & Kelly Broadbent Honors U.S. History II, Period 2 Mr. Greenberg

3. Okinawa is one of the Ryukyu Islands off of the southern tip of Japan

13. *Some civilians chose to be taken captive rather than commit suicide *A woman poses where bones of deceased civilians were thrown

18. The End Okinawa is now a beautiful vacation spot