Okinawa: The Last Battle by Roy E. Appleman (PDF)

Description

As the war in the Pacific progressed, the United States and Allied troops fought the Japanese in places like New Guinea and the Marshall Islands, as they made their way closer to Japan’s mainland. Okinawa was the intended base for the planned invasion of Japan. The Japanese, however, were entrenched, and the U.S. and Allied forces found themselves in one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. Over 100,000 Japanese soldiers, 50,000 U.S. and Allied troops, and more than 100,000 civilians lost their lives during this epic eighty-two-day battle. From Operation ICEBERG (the invasion of Okinawa) and the invasion of the Ryukyus to the fall of Shuri, Okinawa: The Last Battle offers eyewitness accounts by four U.S. Army combat historians. From their stories, faithfully reported here, learn how American soldiers softened up the Japanese targets before invading the Ryukyus. Read how supply operations, evacuations, and base developments were established. And, learn what it was like to be in battle. With over 200 black-and-white photos, charts, and maps, Okinawa: The Last Battle is the book for anyone who wants to know what the war in the Pacific was really like.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: About the Author Major Roy E. Appleman (1904–1992) served in the U.S. Army in both World War II and the Korean War. He is the author (or co-author) of several military history studies, including South to Naktong and North to the Yalu.Sergeant James M. Burns is the author of Guam, from the American Forces in Action series. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.Captain Russell A. Gugeler is the author (or co-author) of several military history studies, including Combat Actions in Korea. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.Colonel John Stevens served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐The book is a transcription of the original Army historians. There are grammatical errors scattered about. But at its core the book is an in depth and very detailed look at the Allied invasion of Okinawa and the grueling weeks of combat and its affect on the native population and the war in general.Some of the details get to be a bit much: many descriptions of how many hand grenades were used, or boxes of ammunition. Some highlights were found in the text: acts of heroism and compassion. The Marines and soldiers were miserable, wet and under constant stress for weeks, but they did the task at hand. I like reading these sorts of books for picking up some of those details found no where else.

⭐This was a long tedious read written by a career Navy man the way Navy reports are written with every detail listed out. There were so many unit numbers listed I couldn’t keep up with them. I was stationed on Okinawa in the early 1970s while in the USAF and checked out as many of the battle sites as I could so I had a good idea what they were like and the areas where they were located were on the islands. That was a great help as I was reading on my Kindle which made the maps impossible to see even with a magnifying glass. One other thing, calling the high ground on Okinawa “mountains” makes most people think of the Rockies or even the Appalachians and that is not the case. The hills on Okinawa are steep with tall thick vegetation and volcanic rock that makes it extremely difficult to move through and they were honeycombed with tunnels with many many gun emplacements and sniper nest. I am surprised that the US and Allies were able to defeat the Japanese as quickly as they did.

⭐The detail and balance of large unit planning takes form in the very human aspect of small unit and individual actions. The problems of terrain and weather meet to take practical form in the adaptation of soldiers coping with the misery of the front line. An artful book that stretches the canvas of history and any view of World War II.

⭐Post Wwii I was stationed on okinawa four years. Discovered the natives to be likeable thru a game one the very oldest I encountered allowed me to observe he and a friend spent playing. I understood it to be called “go”. Simple enough that even I understood how to play, but it took me many hours of watching to begin to understand the logic involved and before I was invited to play a game. I did not learn the language, just the rules of the game. It was a fascinating experience. I was truly honored after I finally won a game. After reading “the last battle” it became obvious that the old men I was hanging out with were likely very Active participants in the Last battle. The natives today once again ,live under the Japanese flag. It is too bad because as a people they could teach us a great deal, especially about eating a diet largely of rice, fish, and vegetables.

⭐Chose this rating as I had never read much about Okinawa or true battle for it. So much lost of life and so many wounded seems a shame that wars have to happen and so many young men have to give up everything to end out.

⭐This is the very best description of both the successes and failures of both sides during the most costly battle of the Pacific war. The Japanese had an excellent defensive plan and the determination to carry it out. The Tenth Army had to sweat and bleed for every foot of ground. This is a story of courage and determination on an epic scale. The men on both sides believed in their cause and were willing to fight and, if needed, die for it. Both Army’s battled each other and at the same time the elements. The Battle for Okinawa pushed everyone involved to do things most people thought impossible. The Marines, Soldiers and Sailors were tested far beyond anything they had experienced before. This another example of why our parents and grandparents were truely “The Greatest Generation!

⭐I enjoyed the book. There are extensive details of battalion, company, platoon and squad actions in what clearly is among the most fearsome, brutal warfare ever undertaken by American soldiers, sailors and marines.My one complaint — this could be my own shortcoming — the details were so numerous it became difficult at times for me to follow. For me the numerous Topographic and geographic references would have been better represented in general: a small rocky hill, a small grassy valley, a barren field would have provided, imho, sufficient description to describe the story. This would have allowed freedom to better understand the well detailed battle and unit descriptions.But again I enjoyed the book.

⭐I had wanted to read this because my brother was there in the 6th Marine division. Well presented. The Japanese were a competent enemy and heroes as well My war, Vietnam 1967 was much less intense.So many brave men had to die!.Rudy

⭐I have read this recount of the last battle of WW2 as I am spending my summer vacation with relatives on Okinawa and fancied a little background reading. The recount of the 3 month battle is told in a very comprehensive manner including all the relevant names, dates and figures you could possibly need.I did skim through this book so only got a brief outline of the American campaign to take this vital island, but it has left me with the knowledge of the supreme effort on both sides to win, and that the old traditions of the Samuari were still adhered to in the 1940s.

⭐Long long book but it does tell the story it’s supposed too and for anyone (like me) with just a rudimentary idea of WWII campaigns it lays it all on the table.

⭐It was to come with maps of the battle sites,it didn’t so when it mentioned the accompanying map for that battle,it made no sense

⭐A bit dull

⭐As I visited this Island in 1962 onboard HMS Ark Royal I am finding the book very interesting.

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