However, even the most die-hardened militarist knew that it was only a matter of time before the massive Allied forces arrayed against the Japanese on Okinawa would prevail. Their strategy was not to hold the island but to make the Americans pay so dearly for its capture that they would be discouraged from proceeding further toward Japan's home islands.
Facing the American invaders was Japan's 32nd Army under the command of Lieutenant General Mitsuru Ushijima. Ushijima followed the strategy already employed by Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kurabayashi at Iwo Jima. Rather than opposing the landing on the beaches and exposing his troops to the massive firepower of the invasion fleet, he withdrew his forces to the southern part of the island where numerous ridges and hills would make the Americans pay heavily for every foot of the island taken. What makes this Okinawa target map so rare is that it showcases in great detail Japanese beach defenses, artillery emplacements, pillboxes, radar locations as well as A. Each grid sector denotes a contour intervals for accurate aerial, naval, and artillery strike support.
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