Next on reel america, bulletin on the okinawa operation, filmed by a u. S. U. S. Marine combat photographers. Okinawa, link in the chain. An island strong point guarding the japanese mainland. Its at signed mission of the forces of the 10th army, backed by heavy fire, a proof of the 24th army corps head for the beach. Tanks embarking in the assault waves make headway under their own power. In addition to overall waterproofing, special flotation gear gives the tanks the necessary buoyancy. This increases the facility with which armored units can be brought ashore. The pan toontoons are secured. L landings hit the east central shore of okinawa and are relatively unopposed. The 24th army corps consisting of three divisions has pushed south and east toward the main city and air field. Here the 1st and 6th marine divisions drive inland to the east and northward. They are committed to securing the northern section. Encountering little more than rear guard opposition, the assault makes such rapid progress that by 11 00 on l day, the l plus three objective line has been reached. Featured by broken contours, the terrain of okinawa is rolling to mountainous and a great portion of the 485 square miles is under cultivation. Cover and concealment are good. The topography presents the enemy with good observation for delaying action. Soon after landing, the Assault Forces and their Civil Affairs sections are presented with a task of collecting, screening and detaining a large disorganized civilian population. The vague race of japanese nationals are by no means antagonistic. As they number close to 300,000, the security and health of our forces make them a definite military problem in the operation. The progress inland is impeded by the tactical destruction of bridges by the retreating japanese. However, where conditions permit, Forward Motion is not delayed by reconstruction. Roads and trails impeded by 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. Opposition is encountered, particularly in the hilly regions and played in caves and underground installations. These are reduced individually by explosives and small arms fire. This sniper nest has accounted for seven casualties during one day alone. In the hill country, a small patrol seeks contact with the enemy in advance of the main body. This dummy tank was successful long enough to draw our fire. Captured air fields are supplied with dummy and obsolete planes which served as decoy targets. One type of suicide plane is discovered intact. Jetpropelled and human controlled, this is a piloted bomb. Comparatively early in the operation, air fields north of the invasion beach area are captured and put into quick repair. These feels, as soon as they are operational, make it possible to augment with okinawabased aircraft carrierbased planes and those from other islands in support of the ground action. Aside from the tactical considerations, the Strategic Value of the runways in future operations. Located as they are only 350 miles from japan proper, 750 from tokyo. By now, its apparent the ene enemys strength is withdrawn to the southern part of the island prior to our landing. This is no certainty. Those japanese still in the north are in place and tactically adept. As the advance continues, artillery is brought up in support of the infantry assault troops. The fire is brought upon an enemy settlement. Almost completely undamaged, a flotilla of suicide boats is discovered. 17 feet overall, 2 1 2 feet deep and with a 5 1 2 foot beam. They are armed with 300 pound drums of acid. Stowed in the side of a hill overlooking an isolated cove, they were to be launched down the runways. They would be powered on their mission by six cylinder motors. Unique to most previous marine corps operations, okinawa with its heavy population supported a large number of village communities. This necessitates street fighting and house to house cleanouts. A flame is used in flushing stubborn opposition from villages and prevents their reoccupation in the rear of our advance. The enemy up to this phase of the operation shown no indication to surrender himself or his position except for the most tenacious opposition and with an effectiveness way out of proportion to his numbers. Although the progress is study, each resistance point has to be overcome with a concentration of effort. With the enemy in command of much of the Tactical High ground, the advance is carried by the infantry without heavy support weapons. To supply troops in isolated positions, food, water and ammunition are delivered by parachute airdrops. This is especially valuable in hill count where advance units have outstripped their communications and have progressed into terrain difficult to negotiate for cargo carriers. Here, too, they would be exposed to fire from the heights and the airdrop is the quickest, most expedient way of supply. Japanese aircraft come in constantly from carriers and other islands. The enemy sticks to its positions, determined to make the cleanup as costly as possible for the advancing marines. Kafs caves and other hillside areas receive direct fire from our tanks. Under the cover of a firing line, a wounded marine is evacuated to safety. With concealment provided by a heavy smoke barrage, marines prewepr prepare to advance across an open slope. Periodic heavy rainfall on okinawa has mired the roads and trails, making transport difficult. Support and supply are slowed by the mud, particularly in the lowlands. 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 team using flame and small arms fire reduces a camouflaged japanese position. 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. Retiring safely, the rescue tank evades fire. But also forces the tank salvage vehicle to withdraw. While the enemy has used its small strength in the north to good advantage, its main effort against the marines has been in the nature of a delaying action. The 1st and 6th marine divisions are committed to mopping up action behind their own steamroller drive. A drive which after little more than three weeks of hard fighting successfully secures more than twothirds of okinawa. To the south, the army has run up against a stonewall. Some elements are relieved for a rest and replaced by marine corps units. The 1st and 6th marine divisions, having completed their mission in the northern effort, are brought in against another japanese strong point. With the bulk of the enemy forces compressed into the lower third of the island, army and marine will concentrate on breaking the defense line into pockets. Japanese resistance is stubborn and cohesive. The sectors make heavy demands on individual skill and concerted fire power. The enemys defense is resilience. Many locations must be taken and retaken several times before they can finally be secured. The mobile 105 millimeter gun gives support to troops in infantry attacks. Crossing an expoed area, an Infantry Group is covered by chemical smoke grenades. The battle develops in a siege with zones of fire plotted to encompass the entire area, artillery batteries set off. A barrage that persists day and night. Dive bombing and straying aircraft assist in the preparation. Outside the city assault units make ready to jump off to the attack. So about l plus 50 with the opening of the most difficult and decisive phase, the battle continues into the streets. A contest what may well be the doorstep to tokyo. This saturday, live at 8 00 a. M. Eastern on American History tv, a look at the advanced placement u. S. History exam. Our guests, Matthew Ellington and jason stasy, coauthors of fabric of a nation. Theyll take student questions by phone and on facebook and twitter. Sunday, at 4 p. M. Eastern on reel america. The 1965 u. S. Army documentary covering the attack on pearl harbor to the japanese surrender. Japanese officials signed the articles of formal surrender on the battle ship missouri in tokyo bay. At 7 00 p. M. Well look at events that led to germanys surrender with the author of the guns at last night this weekend on American History tv on cspan3. Okinawa, final phases is a report on the 82day battle. In the second of two reports, the story of the savage battle is told from about mid may to the conclusion of fighting on june 22nd, 1945. About 49,000 americans were killed or wounded during the invasion