Strategic link, an island strong point guarding the japanese mainland. April 1, 1945, it is the mission of the amphibious force, backed by Naval Support ships, assault troops and the amphibeas core head for the beach. [explosions] [explosions] [explosions] tanks embarking make headway under their own power. Special flotation gear gives the necessary buoyancy. This increases the facility with with which armored units can be brought ashore. music the pontoons are secured so they may be jettisoned immediately after the vehicles have attained the beach. The landings made on adjacent beaches are relatively unopposed. The 24th army core, the three divisions has pushed south and east towards the main city, and airfield. Here is the first of divisions comprising the Assault Force of the Third Amphibious court, driving east and northward. They are committed to securing the whole northern section of the island. Covering light and sporadic rearguard opposition, that by 11 00, the objective line has already been reached. [explosions] [tank tracks] [explosions] [explosions] music [gunfire music featured by broken contours, the terrain of okinawa is mountainous, and a great portion is under cultivation. Cover and concealment are good, but the topography presents the enemy with good observation for delaying action. Soon after landing, the Assault Forces and Civil Affairs are presented with the task of collecting, screening, and detaining a large, disorganized civilian population. music the okinawans are by no means antagonistic, but as they number close to 300,000 the security and health of our forces make them a definite military problem in the health of our operation. The progress inland is impeded by the number of bridges for the retreating japanese. When conditions permit, Forward Motion is not delayed by reconstruction. Boarding is accomplished without much difficulty. Roads and trails impeded by mind craters and roadblocks are quickly repaired by the advancing units. Okinawa is laced with a good Tactical Network of roads, which facilitate the movement of foot troops as well as armored and vehicular units. Recurrent opposition is encountered, particularly in the hilly regions, from snipers and small isolated units and placed in well concealed caves. These are reduced individually by explosives and small arms fire. This particular snipers nest has already accounted for seven marine casualties during one day alone. music in the hill country, a small patrol seeks contact with the enemy in advance of the main body. [gunfire] music this dummy tank was successful long enough to draw our fire. Captured airfields are bound to be supplied with dummy and obsolete planes, which served as decoy targets. One type of suicide plane is discovered intact. music jet propelled and humancontrolled, this craft is actually a piloted bomb. Comparatively early in the operation, airfields north of the beach area are captured and put into quick repair. These fields make it possible to augment carrier based planes and those from other islands in support of the ground action. Aside from tactical consideration is the Strategic Value of these runways in future operations located only 350 miles from japan proper, 750 from tokyo. By now, it is apparent the enemys main strength had been withdrawn to the southern part of the island prior to our landing. About this is no certainty and those japanese still in the north are tactically adept. As the advance continues, artillery is brought up in support of the infantry assault troops. The fire is brought upon an empty settlement. Almost completely undamaged, a flotilla of socalled suicide boats is discovered. 17 feet overall, two and a half, and with a fiveandahalf put bm, they are armed with five and a half pound drums of acid. Stowed overlooking an isolated cove, they were to be launched down these runways. They would be powered on their mission by six cylinder motors. You to most previous marine corps operations, okinawa supported a large village community. This necessitates much streetfighting and house to house cleanup. music planes were used in flushing villages. [gunfire] [explosions] the enemy has, up to this phase of the operation, show no indications of surrendering himself or his position except to the most tenacious opposition, and with an effectiveness out of proportion to his numbers. Each resistance point has to be overcome with a concentration of effort. music with the enemy in command of much of the Tactical High ground, the advances carried by the infantry without heavy support weapons the advance is carried by the infantry without heavy support weapons. [gunfire] to supply troops in isolated sections, food, water, and ammunition are delivered by parachute air drops. This is especially valuable in hill country where advance units have outstripped their communications and have progressed into terrain difficult to negotiate. Here, too, they would be exposed to fire from the heights, and the airdrop is the quickest, most expedient means of supply. Japanese aircraft, constantly come in from carriers on other islands. The enemy still sticks stubbornly to its position, determined to make the cleanup as costly as possible for the advancing marines. Hillside placements receive direct fire from our tanks. [gunfire] under the cover of a hastily built up firing line, a wounded marine is evacuated to safety. [explosions] with concealment provided by a heavy smoke barrage, marines plan to advance across a wooded slope. [machine gun fire] music [machine gun fire] periodic heavy rainfall on okinawa has mired the roads and trails, making transport difficult. music advance, support, and supply are slowed, particularly in the low lands. But the consolidation of the northern half of the island continues. Tank and infantry units cooperate effectively in the slow, steady reduction of enemy strong points. A mop up team using phosphorus, flame, and small arms fire reduces a camouflaged japanese position. music japanese artillery is constant, heavy, and accurate throughout the entire operation. Here, a marine tank is hit and put out of action. As a rescue tank stands by under direct fire to pick up the crewmen, both vehicles are screened by smoke grenades. Returning safely, the rescue tank evades fire and also forces the tank salvage vehicle to withdraw. While the enemy has used the small strength in the north to good advantage, his main effort against the marines has been a delaying action. The first and sixth marine divisions are committed to careful mopping up action behind their own steamroller drive. A drive which after a drive which after little more than three weeks of hard fighting successfully secures more than two thirds of okinawa. To the south, the army has run up against a stone wall. Some elements of the 24th corps are relieved for a rest and replaced by marine corps units. The first and sixth marine divisions, having completed their mission in the northern effort, are brought in opposite naha and shuri, another strong point. With the bulk of Japanese Forces in the lower third of the island, our meandering units will concentrate on breaking the opposition in pockets. Japanese resistance is stubborn and cohesive. In the shuri and naha efforts both make demands on individual skill and concerted firepower. The enemys defense is resilient, and many positions such as Sugarloaf Hill must be taken and retaken many times before they can finally be secure. [explosions] the mobile 105 millimeter gun gives direct support to assault infantry troops in frontal attacks. Crossing an exposed area, an infantry unit is covered by chemical smoke grenades. The battle for naha develops into a siege with zones of fire plotted to encompass the entire area. Artillery batteries stand off to subject the city to intensive, heavy bombardment. A barrage that persists day and night. [explosions] divebombing and strafing aircraft assist in the preparation. Outside the city, assault units make ready to jump off to the attack. music [explosions] the battle for okinawa continues into the streets of naha, what may well be the doorstep to tokyo. [machine gun fire] okinawa bulletin number two, final phases, is a report on the 82 day long battle of okinawa film by u. S. Marine corps combat photographers. The story of the savage battle is told from about midmay until the conclusion of fighting on june 1945. About 45,000 americans were killed or wounded during the invasion. music