Jap Resistance Vanishes
On May 31, advances of six hundred yards on the division left and up to one thousand eight hundred yards on the division right were made against light enemy resistance, except on the extreme left of the division zone of action. By 1200, all objectives within the division zone were reached and the front lines were up against the Corps boundary, except on the left flank southwest of the John Hill – (7970-O1, 2, 3). The 382-IR began their advance at 0900 with the 2/382 in the assault, and by 0940 had secured the Tom Hill – (8071-A4) in conjunction with elements of the 3/383. This was the final objective for the 382-IR in its
assigned zone, and the balance of the day was spent in sealing caves and cleaning up scattered enemy remnants in the Oboe-Peter Hill Area. The 383-IR resumed their advance at 0900 and by 0940, the 3/383, in conjunction with the 2/382, had secured Tom Hill and one company had roached the Pearl Hill – (8071-L3). By 1245, the 2/383 and elements of the 3/383 had taken the Joe Hill – (7971-WX). In a coordinated attack with elements of the 1st Marine Division at 1200, the 383-IR pushed across the Corps boundary and secured the Claire Hill – (7971.K5). By 1300 all enemy groups were chased off of the Claire Hill, and the 3/383 had established physical contact with the left flank of the 5th Marine Regiment at (7871-D).
The 381-IR resumed their advance at 0830 with the 1/381 in the assault. By 0930, elements of this battalion secured the top of the John Hill and were engaged in a stiff fire fight with the enemy along the south slopes of this hill and on the Racoon Hill – (7970-W1) throughout the rest of the day. By 1800 one company of the 1/381 secured the Louise Hill – (7970-D4), encountering but little enemy resistance. The regiment spent the remainder of the day moping up and sealing caves in the Sugar-Roger Hill Area. As a result of these activities, the 96-ID secured all of its objectives, and reduced all organized enemy resistance in its assigned zone of action. Elements of the division right flank advanced one thousand eight hundred yards to gain physical contact with the 5-MR south of Shuri.
At the close of this phase in the battle for the southern part of Okinawa, the following message was received by the Commanding General, 96th Infantry Division from the Commanding General, Tenth Army, Gen Simon Bolivar Buckner:
I wish to congratulate you and all the members of your command for your part in driving the enemy from his Shuri Line and forcing him to the present area for final destruction. While all divisions in the line have contributed toward this end, I regard the capture of the Conical Hill by the 96th Infantry Division as the most important single factor in the collapse of the Shuri Position since it opened the way for an envelopment of the hostile right and forced the enemy’s immediate withdrawal. My confidence and best wishes accompany you in the final assault.
The following figures show our losses as compared to those of the enemy for the period of May 1-31:
| Okinawa 1945 – 96th Infantry Division | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Casualties 96th Infantry Division | KIA | WIA | MIA |
| 381st Infantry Regiment | 29 | 236 | 0 |
| 382nd Infantry Regiment | 103 | 929 | 74 |
| 383rd Infantry Regiment | 113 | 526 | 64 |
| Total Casualties 96-ID | – | – | 2074 | Japanese Casualties | – | – | 8483 |
On our side, we lost 10 Tanks to Mines, 2 Tanks to Artillery, 5 Tanks to AT fire, 2 Tanks burned and 2 Tanks stuck. On the enemy side, the Japs lost 8483 men, 13 PW’s, 35 Field pieces, 170 Machine guns, 71 Mortars, 3 320-MM Spigot Mortars, 4 Tanks, 39 Pillboxes and 1210 Caves.
EUCMH Other Archives Related to the 96th Infantry Division and Available
Operations 3/381-IR (96-ID) Okinawa (Ryukyus Operation) April 1/4 1945
382/96-ID Naha-Shuri-Yonabaru Line (Okinawa) May 1945
96-ID (Report – Okinawa – Ryukyus) – April 1945
Addition Images & Info
ebay.com/itm/374825470683
Camp Obispo Cakifornia
hippostcard.com
Battle of Leyte
buckinghamcovers.com/070445-japanese-cabinet
ww2online.org/image/96-ID
nationalww2museum.org
britannica.com/topic/Battle-of-Okinawa
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Iowa_(BB-61)
Reddit
rememberthedeadeyes.com/Dencker.html
collection.nam.ac.uk
history.navy.mil
warstore14.com
awm.gov.au (1)
awm.gov.au (2)
sarahsundin.com
