Battle of Okinawa

From Encyc
Marines demolish a cave on Okinawa, May 1945.

The Battle of Okinawa (April-June 1945) was the last major battle of the Pacific War during World War II. The Allies invaded the island of Okinawa, in southern Japan. Unlike Iwo Jima, Okinawa was populated and the civilian impact was horrific, with many refugees and some mass suicides. Casualties were heavy on both sides. The Americans eventually occupied the entire island, but the intensity of the battle helped to convince Truman that using the atomic bombs was preferable to a large-scale invasion of the Japanese home islands.