Narrator okinawa, strategic link in the ryukyu chain. April 1, 1945 it is the assigned mission of the amphibious forces of the 10th army. Backed by heavy fire, from ships, thesupport first marine of severe core the First Marine Amphibious corps head for the beach. [explosion] tanks embarking in the assault waves make headway under their own power. In addition to overall waterproofing, special auxiliary flotation gear gives the tanks the necessary buoyancy. This increases the facility with which armored units can be brought ashore. The pontoons are secured so they may be jettisoned immediately after the vehicles have attained the beach. Landings made on adjacent beaches hit the east central shore of okinawa. And they are relatively unopposed. Corps, consisting of three divisions, has pushed south and east towards the main city and airfield. Sixth marinest and divisions comprising the Assault Force of the Third Amphibious corps drive inland to the east and north. They are committed to severing the island and securing the northern section. Covering little more than light in sporadic rearguard opposition, the assault made such rapid inlays on shore but objective line has already been reached. [gunfire] [airplanes roaring] [gunfire] featured by broken contours, the okinawa, an island of volcanic origin, is rolling to mountainous and a great portion of its 485 square miles is under cultivation. Covering concealment is good. The topography present the enemy with good observation for delaying actions. Soon after landing, the Assault Forces and their Civil Affairs sections are presented with the task of collecting, screening and detaining a large, disorganized civilian population. The okinawans, an ethnically vague race of japanese nationals, 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 operation. The progress inland is impeded by the tactical destruction of bridges by the retreating japanese. However, where the conditions permit, Forward Motion is not delayed by reconstruction. [explosion] boarding is accomplished without much difficulty. Roads and trails impeded by mine 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 smoke isolated units encased in well concealed caves and underground installations. These are reduced individually by explosives and small arms fire. [explosion] this particular snipers nest has already accounted for seven marine casualties during one day alone. [explosion] [suspenseful music] in the hill country, a small patrol seeks contact with the enemy in advance of the main body. [bullets whizzing by] [explosion] 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. Jetpropelled and humancontrolled, this craft is actually a piloted bomb. Comparatively early in the operation, airfields north of the invasion beach area are captured and put into quick repair. These fields, 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 other tactical considerations, is the Strategic Value of these runways in future operations. Located as they are only 350 miles from japan proper, 750 from tokyo. [airplanes roaring] by now, it is apparent the enemys main Numerical Strength had been withdrawn to the southern part of the island prior to our landing. But this is no certainty and those japanese still in the north are formidably in place and tactically adept. As the advance continues, southpropelled 105 millimeter artillery is brought up in support of the infantry assault troops. The fire of an lvta is brought upon an enemy settlement. Almost completely undamaged, a flotilla of socalled suicide boats is discovered. 17 feet overall, 2. 4 feet deep, and with a fiveandahalf foot beam. They are armed with 20 300pound drums of acid. Stowed overlooking an isolated cove, they were to be launched down these runways. Waterborne, they would have been powered on their mission by sixcylinder motors. Unique to most previous marine corps operations, okinawa with its have a population supported , a large number of village communities. This necessitates much streetfighting and house to house cleanouts. [suspenseful music] planes were used to advantage in flushing out villages. And prevent their reoccupation in the rear of our advance. The enemy has, up to this phase of the operation, shown no indication to surrender himself or his position except to the with the most tenacious opposition, and with an effectiveness way out of proportion to his numbers. Although the progress is steady, h 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 air drops. [airplanes roaring] this is especially valuable here in hill country, where advance units have outstripped their communications and have progressed into terrain difficult to negotiate for the crosscountry carriers. Here, too, they would be exposed to enemy fire from the heights, and the airdrop is the quickest, most expedient means of supply. Japanese aircraft come in constantly from carriers and other islands in the ryukyus. [airplanes roaring] [rousing orchestral music] the enemy still sticks stubbornly to its position, determined to make the cleanup as costly as possible for the advancing marines. [explosions] caves and other hillside emplacements receive direct fire from our tanks. [gunfire] [explosion] under the cover of a hastily built up firing line, a wounded marine is evacuated to safety. [bullets whizzing by] [explosions] [rousing orchestral music] [gunfire] with concealment provided by a heavy smoke barrage, marines prepare to advance across an open slope. [gunfire] [explosion] [intense musical buildup] [machine gunfire] [bullets whizzing by] periodic heavy rainfall on okinawa has mired the roads and trails, making transport difficult. Advance, support, and supply are slowed by the mud, 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 mopup team using phosphorus, flame, and small arms fire reduces a camouflaged japanese position. [explosion] [dramatic musical flourish] [explosions] japanese artillery is constant, heavy, and accurate throughout the entire operation. [explosion] here, a marine tank is hit and put out of action. [explosion] as a rescue tank stands by under direct fire to pick up the crew men, both vehicles are screened by smoke grenades. Returning safely, the rescue tank evades fire but also forces a tank salvage vehicle to withdraw. While the enemy has used the small strength in the north to s maindvantage, it effort against the marines has been in the nature of delaying action. The first and sixth marine divisions are committed to careful mopping up action behind their own steamroller drive. A drive which after little more than three weeks of hard fighting successfully secures , more than two thirds of okinawa. [dramatic music] to the south, the army has run up against a stone wall outside of naha. Some elements of the 24th corps are relieved for a rest and replaced by marine corps units. [uplifting march music] the first and marine sixth divisions, having completed their mission in the northern effort, are brought in opposite naha and shuri, another japanese strong point. With the bulk of the enemy forces compressed into the lower third of the island, army and marine units will concentrate on breaking the defense line into pockets. [zero raqqa heroic music playing] japanese resistance is stubborn and cohesive. The shuri and naha sectors both make heavy demands on individual skill and concerted firepower. [gunfire] [explosion] the enemys defense is resilient, and many positions, such as sugar loaf hill, must be taken and retaken many times before they can finally be secured. [intense musical buildup] [explosions] [dramatic music] 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. [explosion] divebombing and strafing aircraft assist in the preparation. [explosion] outside the city, assault units make ready to jump off to the attack. [explosion] [explosions] [dramatic musical flourish] the opening of the most physical and decisive phase, the battle for okinawa continues into the streets of naha, a contest for what may well be the doorstep to tokyo. [relentless machine gunfire] okinawa bulletin number two, final phases, is a report on the 82day long battle of okinawa filmed by u. S. Marine corps combat photographers. In this second of two reports, the story of the savage battle is told from about midmay until the conclusion of fighting on june 22, 1945. About 45,000 americans were killed or wounded during the invasion. [rousing