Okinawa

The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa from April to June 1945. The 82 day long battle was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific in World War II.

After the imfamous Island Hopping campaign, the allies needed a place strategically positioned to move onto mainland Japan. Okinawa, only 340 miles away from the mainland was used as a base for air operations.

This battle has also been referred to as the "Typhoon of Steel", due to the number of Allied ships, armored vehicles, and kamikaze attacks from the Japanese side.

This battle was not won without great casualties. Japan lost over 100,00 troops and the Allies suffered more than 50,000 casualties. Tens of thousands of civilians on the island were either killed, wounded or committed suicide.

Japan POWs after the battle.

http://www.life.com/gallery/41302/image/3242263/wwii-battle-of-okinawa