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Bloody Okinawa: The Last Great Battle of World War II
A stirring narrative of World War II's final major battle—the Pacific war's largest, bloodiest, most savagely fought campaign—the last of its kind.
On Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945, more than 184,000 US troops began landing on the only Japanese home soil invaded during the Pacific war. Just 350 miles from mainland Japan, Okinawa was to serve as a forward base for Japan's invasion in the fall of 1945.
Nearly 140,000 Japanese and auxiliary soldiers fought with suicidal tenacity from hollowed-out, fortified hills and ridges. Under constant fire and in the rain and mud, the Americans battered the defenders with artillery, aerial bombing, naval gunfire, and every infantry tool. Waves of Japanese kamikaze and conventional warplanes sank 36 warships, damaged 368 others, and killed nearly 5,000 US seamen.
When the slugfest ended after 82 days, more than 125,000 enemy soldiers lay dead—along with 7,500 US ground troops. Tragically, more than 100,000 Okinawa civilians perished while trapped between the armies. The brutal campaign persuaded US leaders to drop the atomic bomb instead of invading Japan.
Utilizing accounts by US combatants and Japanese sources, author Joseph Wheelan endows this riveting story of the war's last great battle with a compelling human dimension.
On Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945, more than 184,000 US troops began landing on the only Japanese home soil invaded during the Pacific war. Just 350 miles from mainland Japan, Okinawa was to serve as a forward base for Japan's invasion in the fall of 1945.
Nearly 140,000 Japanese and auxiliary soldiers fought with suicidal tenacity from hollowed-out, fortified hills and ridges. Under constant fire and in the rain and mud, the Americans battered the defenders with artillery, aerial bombing, naval gunfire, and every infantry tool. Waves of Japanese kamikaze and conventional warplanes sank 36 warships, damaged 368 others, and killed nearly 5,000 US seamen.
When the slugfest ended after 82 days, more than 125,000 enemy soldiers lay dead—along with 7,500 US ground troops. Tragically, more than 100,000 Okinawa civilians perished while trapped between the armies. The brutal campaign persuaded US leaders to drop the atomic bomb instead of invading Japan.
Utilizing accounts by US combatants and Japanese sources, author Joseph Wheelan endows this riveting story of the war's last great battle with a compelling human dimension.
432 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2020
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January 10, 2022
Book Review: Bloody Okinawa: The Last Great Battle of World War II by Joseph Wheelan
(Published by Hachette Books)
4 Stars
"Never before had there been, probably never again will there be, such a vicious, sprawling struggle." - New York Times
The Battle of Okinawa, code-named "Operation Iceberg", the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theater of World War II, commenced on April 1, 1945 and ended on June 22, 1945, lasting 82 days.
As a lowly student of Japanese and Okinawan culture, I was pretty excited about a new book on one of modern history's bloodiest battles. It was described as "Tetsu no Bōfū" (鉄の暴風) or A Storm of Steel for the souls on island, a veritable typhoon of fire and death from the very moment US naval guns and aircraft bombarded the island to soften enemy defenses, salvo after salvo.
"Bloody Okinawa" deftly walks us through the last great battle, commencing with a prelude of events in the Pacific Theater, then - over the fog of war through non-linear events - an incredibly thorough narrative of combat, day after excruciating day for inch after grueling inch, on the hills, cliffs and escarpments of Okinawa, the horrors, the deadly human toll, - and, in conclusion, the battle's aftermath and impact to this very day.
Island hopping victories in Saipan and Leyte were met with crucial next-step decisions; options to next liberate either Luzon or Formosa. For General Douglas MacArthur it was going to be unequivocally freedom for the entirety of his beloved Philippines. The Battle of Iwo Jima came next, and finally, Okinawa, - to capture an airfield at Kadena in Central Okinawa as a land base for the final phase "Operation Downfall", the planned invasion of the Japanese homeland.
In the end the sacrifices on both sides were all for naught, with the homeland invasion rendered unnecessary by the deus ex machina atomic bombs dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Focal points of the battle include the heroics at Southern Okinawa's Maeda Escarpment, also known as Hacksaw Ridge, of Pfc. Desmond T. Doss, who won the Congressional Medal of Honor despite refusing to bear arms during WWII on religious grounds.
Today, on a hillside at the Peace Memorial Park in Mabuni, Okinawa stand a semi-circular avenue of stones engraved with the names of thousands of the honored dead in regardless of nationality, arrayed majestically upon the Cornerstone of Peace overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This was the place of the last stand, the final battle in Okinawa, where Lieutenant General Mitsuru Ushijima (牛島 満), commanding, met his fate.
For the novel, the author draws upon his impressive body of work as a military and political historian - writings on John Quincy Adams, Thomas Jefferson, General Philip H. Sheridan, the Civil War, the Mexican-American War and the banzai attacks of Guadalcanal.
"Bloody Okinawa" is, in my humble opinion, a compelling read in the calibre of the works of the late John Toland ("Infamy", "But Not in Shame", "The Rising Sun", inter-alia), surviving Japanese Colonel Hiromichi Yahara's account entitled Okinawa Kessen (沖縄決戦), and last year's "Indianapolis", the sixteen-year epic endeavor of Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic.
But, what could be easily a 5-star read for me is somehow tainted by the insertion of 21st century political issues entirely out of place.
The author writes: "...for their part, the Japanese believed that Americans had abused and murdered African American slaves, massacred American Indians and stole their lands, and started a mid-nineteenth-century expansionist war against Mexico..."
It is preposterous to proffer that the divine race of Amaterasu (天照), forebear of Japanese emperors, brutal enablers of the Bataan Death March, the Rape of Nanking and the invasions of Manchuria, Korea and Taiwan would have concerned themselves with the woke politics of other nations at that time of war.
Written without a Japanese or Okinawan in consultation, there are numerous misspellings and misinterpretations of culture. Some anti-US military sentiment in the choice of words is also noted.
Nevertheless, this historical war novel is indeed a commendable rendition of the battle.
Review based on an Advance Reading Copy from Hachette Books through NetGalley.
(Published by Hachette Books)
4 Stars
"Never before had there been, probably never again will there be, such a vicious, sprawling struggle." - New York Times
The Battle of Okinawa, code-named "Operation Iceberg", the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theater of World War II, commenced on April 1, 1945 and ended on June 22, 1945, lasting 82 days.
As a lowly student of Japanese and Okinawan culture, I was pretty excited about a new book on one of modern history's bloodiest battles. It was described as "Tetsu no Bōfū" (鉄の暴風) or A Storm of Steel for the souls on island, a veritable typhoon of fire and death from the very moment US naval guns and aircraft bombarded the island to soften enemy defenses, salvo after salvo.
"Bloody Okinawa" deftly walks us through the last great battle, commencing with a prelude of events in the Pacific Theater, then - over the fog of war through non-linear events - an incredibly thorough narrative of combat, day after excruciating day for inch after grueling inch, on the hills, cliffs and escarpments of Okinawa, the horrors, the deadly human toll, - and, in conclusion, the battle's aftermath and impact to this very day.
Island hopping victories in Saipan and Leyte were met with crucial next-step decisions; options to next liberate either Luzon or Formosa. For General Douglas MacArthur it was going to be unequivocally freedom for the entirety of his beloved Philippines. The Battle of Iwo Jima came next, and finally, Okinawa, - to capture an airfield at Kadena in Central Okinawa as a land base for the final phase "Operation Downfall", the planned invasion of the Japanese homeland.
In the end the sacrifices on both sides were all for naught, with the homeland invasion rendered unnecessary by the deus ex machina atomic bombs dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Focal points of the battle include the heroics at Southern Okinawa's Maeda Escarpment, also known as Hacksaw Ridge, of Pfc. Desmond T. Doss, who won the Congressional Medal of Honor despite refusing to bear arms during WWII on religious grounds.
Today, on a hillside at the Peace Memorial Park in Mabuni, Okinawa stand a semi-circular avenue of stones engraved with the names of thousands of the honored dead in regardless of nationality, arrayed majestically upon the Cornerstone of Peace overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This was the place of the last stand, the final battle in Okinawa, where Lieutenant General Mitsuru Ushijima (牛島 満), commanding, met his fate.
For the novel, the author draws upon his impressive body of work as a military and political historian - writings on John Quincy Adams, Thomas Jefferson, General Philip H. Sheridan, the Civil War, the Mexican-American War and the banzai attacks of Guadalcanal.
"Bloody Okinawa" is, in my humble opinion, a compelling read in the calibre of the works of the late John Toland ("Infamy", "But Not in Shame", "The Rising Sun", inter-alia), surviving Japanese Colonel Hiromichi Yahara's account entitled Okinawa Kessen (沖縄決戦), and last year's "Indianapolis", the sixteen-year epic endeavor of Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic.
But, what could be easily a 5-star read for me is somehow tainted by the insertion of 21st century political issues entirely out of place.
The author writes: "...for their part, the Japanese believed that Americans had abused and murdered African American slaves, massacred American Indians and stole their lands, and started a mid-nineteenth-century expansionist war against Mexico..."
It is preposterous to proffer that the divine race of Amaterasu (天照), forebear of Japanese emperors, brutal enablers of the Bataan Death March, the Rape of Nanking and the invasions of Manchuria, Korea and Taiwan would have concerned themselves with the woke politics of other nations at that time of war.
Written without a Japanese or Okinawan in consultation, there are numerous misspellings and misinterpretations of culture. Some anti-US military sentiment in the choice of words is also noted.
Nevertheless, this historical war novel is indeed a commendable rendition of the battle.
Review based on an Advance Reading Copy from Hachette Books through NetGalley.
October 6, 2020
An eye opener. And a great explanation of why dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima was a good idea. Summary: the Japanese approach to combat was so horrific for everyone involved that anything that shortened the war was a net positive.
May 9, 2020
A well written journey to hell in the Pacific. As a Civil War buff, I can say this is the bloodiest book I have ever read. Not for the faint of heart, but a good one volume book to learn about this important battle. My only critique is it leans a little too much on individual heroics (which nonetheless are thrilling and a joy to read), and not quite enough on tactics and strategy although a sufficient amount. The author is not well versed on small arms, leaving you guessing at what was being used by troops unless they are using flamethrowers, BARs, or Japanese artillery. No talk of infantry rifles being used by either side, the type of any heavy or light machine guns, and refers to colt m1911s just as "45s". So to help here is a break down.
The Japanese used mostly bolt action type 99 Arisaka rifles. Very rugged and accurate with ballistics between a 303 British and 30-06/8mm mauser. Primary medium/heavy machine gun was type 92. Shot same round as the bolt action. Rate of fire around 400-500rpm which is not terribly fast for this type of gun, but was incredibly reliable and accurate. The Japanese answer to the BAR was the type 99 LMG. A gun similar in appearance and use to the British Bren, it is arguably the best light machine gun of ww2.
For the Americans, it is clear the Nazi's were higher on the priorities list. They got what they could get, meaning mostly m1903 bolt action rifles left over from ww1. These were considered to be more accurate and reliable than m1 Garands, and both shot the powerful 30-06, but obviously had much slower rate of fire and held only 5 rounds. As the war progressed there was more availability of different arms, so on Okinawa you see a complete hodgepodge of m1903s, m1 garandes, and m1 carbines. There is even a picture of the battle where you can see 3 men standing next to each other and there is one of each gun. There was also a smattering of Tommy guns and "Grease Guns" which were both 45 acp smgs. As stated, he does talk about BARs and flamethrowers which were used heavily. For their heavy machine gun they used ww1 era m1917s (heavy, water cooled, but incredibly reliable with a high rate of fire), and the M1919. This was an air cooled version which, while more prone to overheating, was lighter and did not require large jugs of water to operate. The primary sidearm of all U.S. forces was the legendary Colt M1911. A beautiful 8 round semi-auto pistol firing the 45 acp cartridge, a proven man stopper.
The Japanese used mostly bolt action type 99 Arisaka rifles. Very rugged and accurate with ballistics between a 303 British and 30-06/8mm mauser. Primary medium/heavy machine gun was type 92. Shot same round as the bolt action. Rate of fire around 400-500rpm which is not terribly fast for this type of gun, but was incredibly reliable and accurate. The Japanese answer to the BAR was the type 99 LMG. A gun similar in appearance and use to the British Bren, it is arguably the best light machine gun of ww2.
For the Americans, it is clear the Nazi's were higher on the priorities list. They got what they could get, meaning mostly m1903 bolt action rifles left over from ww1. These were considered to be more accurate and reliable than m1 Garands, and both shot the powerful 30-06, but obviously had much slower rate of fire and held only 5 rounds. As the war progressed there was more availability of different arms, so on Okinawa you see a complete hodgepodge of m1903s, m1 garandes, and m1 carbines. There is even a picture of the battle where you can see 3 men standing next to each other and there is one of each gun. There was also a smattering of Tommy guns and "Grease Guns" which were both 45 acp smgs. As stated, he does talk about BARs and flamethrowers which were used heavily. For their heavy machine gun they used ww1 era m1917s (heavy, water cooled, but incredibly reliable with a high rate of fire), and the M1919. This was an air cooled version which, while more prone to overheating, was lighter and did not require large jugs of water to operate. The primary sidearm of all U.S. forces was the legendary Colt M1911. A beautiful 8 round semi-auto pistol firing the 45 acp cartridge, a proven man stopper.
October 31, 2020
Bloody Okinawa is written in the classic military history style with detailed analysis of the corps, squads and units that fought in the battle on both sides. Detailed in how each unit performed, the challenges they faced and tempered with the right amount of personal stories (drawing heavily from E.B. Sledge’s with the Old Breed). I found the descriptions of the kamikaze attacks on the Navy to be the most interesting part of this book both on the psychological toll on both sides as well as the length and ferocity of the attacks. The book is going to be very popular amongst the world war II history buffs and those with a focus on military history. Well written and to the point focusing on the military affairs of both sides with good treatment of those involved.
June 21, 2020
Joseph Wheelan has written a very compelling story about one of the largest, and most forgotten battles in American history. He follows several units and focuses on how the battle continued into a long, brutal fight where ridges changed hands several times and where the fighting was brutal beyond words. The suffering of the soldiers as well as the civilians was just heart breaking and is rendered in a fearful fashion He doesn't make the book gory, doesn't dwell on any names but doesn't ignore then either.
Put this down on your must read list especially if you love compelling stories
Put this down on your must read list especially if you love compelling stories
March 4, 2024
This book lived up to its title - Bloody Okinawa. This was the final amphibious landing / clear out the enemy yard by yard on the ground battle of WWII. Following this battle, the US decided to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki - which ended the war and avoided the bloodbath that was expected with a land invasion of the Japanese home islands.
This battle went on for 3 months - longer than any other island hopping invasion anywhere in the Pacific, with massive casualties owing largely to the hilly / mountainous terrain and the way the Japanese prepared their defenses by honeycombing these hills with caves and tunnels - making them largely impervious to Allied bombing and tanks.
I was particularly interested in this battle because my father served on Okinawa in 1945, and would have been there when the fallout from the atomic bombs drifted over the island, which was only a few hundred miles away from the atomic bomb blasts.
This battle went on for 3 months - longer than any other island hopping invasion anywhere in the Pacific, with massive casualties owing largely to the hilly / mountainous terrain and the way the Japanese prepared their defenses by honeycombing these hills with caves and tunnels - making them largely impervious to Allied bombing and tanks.
I was particularly interested in this battle because my father served on Okinawa in 1945, and would have been there when the fallout from the atomic bombs drifted over the island, which was only a few hundred miles away from the atomic bomb blasts.
May 18, 2022
I thought this was a great description of everything that went on during the Okinawa campaign. I really enjoyed the fact that the author brought up the air corps and navy as well and not just the land troops. Those branches can get looked over sometimes.
I liked getting perspectives from the Japanese side of things as well.
The reason it's a 4 instead of a 5 is I thought some of the chapters dragged on wayyyy too long. Like the descriptions of each individual weapon used, or each inch of the hills/escarpments that were climbed, and each banzai attack. If the reader is any type of WWII enthusiast, we understand the jist of these things and it doesn't need to be repeated every 3-5 pages. I thought the book would've been perfect if it had cut out about 50-70 pages of repetition/fluff.
I liked getting perspectives from the Japanese side of things as well.
The reason it's a 4 instead of a 5 is I thought some of the chapters dragged on wayyyy too long. Like the descriptions of each individual weapon used, or each inch of the hills/escarpments that were climbed, and each banzai attack. If the reader is any type of WWII enthusiast, we understand the jist of these things and it doesn't need to be repeated every 3-5 pages. I thought the book would've been perfect if it had cut out about 50-70 pages of repetition/fluff.
January 21, 2021
If anybody needed convincing that war is a terrible thing,this book will change your way of thinking.
The carnage is relentless,even monotonous as the book progresses,eventually making the reader immune to the horrors that are related to them in unflinching detail.
What particularly grabbed my attention were the kamikaze attacks on American warships lying off Okinawa-the sheer bloody mindset of the pilots to commit themselves to acts that are beyond comprehension to our soft western minds;the destruction and slaughter they wreaked by their actions and the strength of will shown by the sailors and airmen after witnessing such attacks.
If carnage and the sheer waste of life and materiel is your thing,this books for you.
The carnage is relentless,even monotonous as the book progresses,eventually making the reader immune to the horrors that are related to them in unflinching detail.
What particularly grabbed my attention were the kamikaze attacks on American warships lying off Okinawa-the sheer bloody mindset of the pilots to commit themselves to acts that are beyond comprehension to our soft western minds;the destruction and slaughter they wreaked by their actions and the strength of will shown by the sailors and airmen after witnessing such attacks.
If carnage and the sheer waste of life and materiel is your thing,this books for you.
August 7, 2024
I got to reading this book much later than when it was published went I still find myself glued to the pages. The author takes you through different battles between the Marines and the Army that are having with the Japanese army on various hilltops. He goes into the attacks by the Kazakmis on the ships and how many ships were lost including men. Also how many had to leave action because of damage, there was more than I had known or read about in previous books. The fighting would take its toll as well and though the US would succeed the cost would be high. He also goes into the way the Japanese general came up with a plan to defend the island. You get a good overall look into the beginning before the battle during all of the fighting and afterwards. Overall a very good book.
May 13, 2025
This is a good history of an often over-looked battle, the last major land battle of the Second World War. The author does a good job of blending personal anecdotes (so-and-so getting shot, for example) with the broad overview.
The author was repetitive on a number of points, especially on emphasizing the interlocking fire zones created by the defence. Maps were, on the whole, mediocre except for the last one in the book which should have been one of the first ones. The others showed some features but almost never included the places identified in the text. A couple of tables showing the organization of the armies would have helped me as well.
These objections are fairly minor, though. Anyone interested in that battle should read this book.
The author was repetitive on a number of points, especially on emphasizing the interlocking fire zones created by the defence. Maps were, on the whole, mediocre except for the last one in the book which should have been one of the first ones. The others showed some features but almost never included the places identified in the text. A couple of tables showing the organization of the armies would have helped me as well.
These objections are fairly minor, though. Anyone interested in that battle should read this book.
February 23, 2021
I have read many books on World War II but primarily the ETO and little on the Pacific campaigns. Wheelan does an excellent job laying out the battle in terms of the strategy and tactics on both sides. Okinawa is a perfect example of the utter futility of war. While America's men and women suffered tremendously to win this battle the ending was a fore gone conclusion and the Japanese were well aware of what the eventual outcome would be. The fury of the land battles but especially the naval engagements against swarms of men bent on suicide are well described. This book really lays out the human story in war
April 18, 2024
A detailed account of the fighting on Okinawa during the second world war against the Japanese. A very savage account of the horrific conditions on Okinawa and the suicidal idealism of the Japanese fighters and some civilians. It was the bloodiest and the last large campaign of the war and one on the reasons the US decided to use the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In the end more than 125,000 Japanese soldiers and 7500 US troops were dead. Unfortunately there were also over 100,000 civilians that died.
June 20, 2020
This book is an excellent account of the greatest battle in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Unfortunately, Okinawa has been shuffled to the backstage amidst all the other tumultuous events in 1945, This book was difficult to put down as the reader is drawn into the savagery of both sides in the Okinawa struggle.
June 5, 2020
Constant sorrow as I read this book. I can only wonder why this seemed so strategically necessary. Could not the Americans just waited them out?
July 28, 2020
While the writing wasn't overly fantastic, the story itself is an amazing one and deserves to be remembered.
July 2, 2022
Incredible story to describe the brave men that fought at Okinawa during WWII. A quite emotional read.
July 9, 2022
You can feel the anguish on the battlefield.
May 10, 2023
Extensive info, very clinical. Full accounting of troop movements and actions, little storytelling
August 29, 2023
Tremendous Valor and fortitude so graciously and powerfully told in this book. I hope students today are reading and learning this history.
October 8, 2023
Authoritative telling of this epic battle. No wonder the US thought the atomic bomb was necessary
November 21, 2023
A very informative and detailed account of the Battle of Okinawa. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the Pacific Campaign during WWII.
August 6, 2024
Bone chilling
October 14, 2024
Amazing history and description of one of the greatest battles to ever take place.
September 10, 2025
extremely informative and well written. highly recommend.
February 21, 2021
Nothing new here
Perhaps I’ve read too many accounts of the battle for Okinawa but this is just another retread. I found this less than interesting and a blow by blow account of different battalions and units movements in and out of action and the results of the battle at various phases and locations. About as boring a narrative as I’ve ever read.
Perhaps I’ve read too many accounts of the battle for Okinawa but this is just another retread. I found this less than interesting and a blow by blow account of different battalions and units movements in and out of action and the results of the battle at various phases and locations. About as boring a narrative as I’ve ever read.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews