On April 1, 1945, American forces launched a massive amphibious invasion of Okinawa, one of the bloodiest campaigns in the Pacific War. The island was seen as a critical stepping stone for a possible invasion of the Japanese home islands. U.S. troops faced fierce resistance from entrenched Japanese defenders who used caves and tunnels for defense. The battle lasted for nearly three months and caused heavy casualties on both sides, including many civilians. By the time Okinawa was secured in June, over 200,000 people were dead or wounded. The scale of the fighting strongly influenced U.S. leaders as they considered how to end the war with Japan.
