Okinawa was the final major battle of World War II and the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theater. Known as the 'Typhoon of Steel' due to the ferocity of the fighting, it served as a staging area for the planned invasion of Japan. The battle was characterized by the massive use of Japanese Kamikaze (suicide) pilots against the Allied fleet. On the ground, the civilian population was caught in the crossfire, leading to a staggering loss of life. The battle lasted 82 days and resulted in over 12,000 Americans killed and over 100,000 Japanese soldiers dead. The sheer brutality of Okinawa, combined with the suicidal tenacity of the defenders, played a major role in the U.S. decision to use atomic weapons to end the war without a land invasion.