On the following day, June 26, the division moved north 1000-1500 yards thoroughly mopping up in the process. By 1800 the line had reached an area 1000 yards south of Phase Line 2. On June 27, with six battalions abreast, the division thoroughly swept the north slopes of the Yuza-Yaeju Escarpment. By 1800, all battalions were on Phase Line 2 Yuza-Tomui road and were physically tied in with the 184-IR on the right and the 1-USMC on the left. Love Co, 381-IR, was left to guard the remaining exits of a deep cave approximately 300 yards south of Medeera containing the Command Post of the Headquarter of the Japan 24th Division.
The 1st platoon, Able Co, 321-ECB, had been assigned to the 381-IR to help close the 24th Division CP cave. For several days extensive demolition destruction had been inflicted on the existing exits. However, due to the tunneling and numerous entrances, new openings appeared as a result of blowing existing entrances. On June 27, approximately 1700 gallons of gasoline and 300 pound’s of dynamite were used in this operation. When this was set off, smoke and flame belched from every hole in the side of the hill. Although gas fumes were so bad it was impossible to enter any of the openings and at least two known levels had been thoroughly burned and dynamited. Moans were heard in what must have been yet a third level. At 1400 on June 28, after many determined efforts on the part of both Engineers and Infantry, this cave was finally sealed.
Originally the 77-ID had been designated to establish a blocking line generally along Highway 44 to prevent any Japs from escaping to the north. On June 28, the 96-ID was ordered by XXIV Corps to take over this blockade line effective at 1800. By June 29, all units had mopped up to the intermediate phase line from Chan to Ogusuku. By 1200, on June 30, with eight battalions abreast, units of the division reached Phase Line 3 and left one company from each battalion to remain on the Phase Line for the night. The remainder of the troops closed into new assembly areas in the vicinity of Kamizato – (8066-B).
In result, during the first part of the mop-up phase, the large number of civilians which appeared from every direction, hampered the troops’ efforts to hasten the destruction of small pockets of Jap resistance. However, Military Government units working with the CIC and division MP’s were able to establish
enough POW enclosures and straggler lines to eliminate this obstacle. Since all caves were being blown and sealed, the Japs began to hide in cane fields, tall grass and buildings. Flamethrower tanks were extensively used in clearing out those Japs who attempted to use this kind of concealment. All elements of the division, including service units and the division CP, killed infiltrators repeatedly as far back as the Yonabaru-Naha highway (Highway 44). The cumulative damage to ourselves and the enemy during the mop-up phase, June 23-30, is shown below.
| Okinawa 1945 – 96th Infantry Division | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Casualties 96th Infantry Division | KIA | WIA | MIA |
| 381st Infantry Regiment | 2 | 59 | 0 |
| 382nd Infantry Regiment | 3 | 25 | 0 |
| 383rd Infantry Regiment | 2 | 25 | 0 |
| Total Casualties 96-ID | – | – | 116 | Japanese Casualties | – | – | 3400 |
We didn’t have any lost for the period while the Jap lost 3400 men, 233 PW’s, Field Pieces 16, Machine Guns 8, Mortars 4, Cave 75.
Conclusion
The action of the 96th Infantry Division against the enemy on Okinawa can no better be summarized than by the following letter from the Corps Commander, General John R. Hodge.
HEADQUARTERS XXIV CORPS
Office of the Commanding General
June 26, 1945
SUBJECT: End of Battle of Okinawa
TO: Maj Gen James L. Bradley, Commanding General, 96th Infantry Division
1. Now that organized resistance on Okinawa has ended and we are well along on mopping up the remnants of the enemy garrison, I take the opportunity to express to you my personal and official thanks and appreciation for the splendid work done throughout the entire campaign by the 96th Infantry Division, so ably led by you.
2. Those in position to make comparisons consider this to be by far the bitterest battle of the Pacific to date, as well as having highest strategic importance. The 96th Infantry Division, a highly integrated battle team, performed its full share in winning this battle in a manner that leaves nothing to be desired, and with a continuing aggressive spirit that marks the unit as second to none among similar units of the Armed Forces. In its accomplishment of its assigned missions the division has added another and outstanding chapter to its illustrious performance on Leyte Island.
3. The 96th Infantry Division, loading out of Leyte after the long debilitating Battle of Leyte with only a very brief rest period, landed on Okinawa on April 1 on the south flank of the Tenth Army landing force. The division advanced rapidly eastward and southward against enemy resistance, protecting the Army flank, and seized important high ground in its zone of action north of Futema, driving in the enemy outpost and developing the hostile first main position in less than a week. Continuing its driving, aggressive attack southward the division broke through the strong hostile first main position and inflicted heavy damage on the second, advancing continually against strong odds of terrain and enemy fire for a period of one month. Depleted by casualties, the division was then withdrawn to Corps Reserve for a brief ten day rest, after which it relieved another division in a new zone embodying some of the most difficult terrain and strong defenses encountered on Okinawa, and continued its aggressive attack. Despite adverse conditions of terrain, weather and enemy resistance the division captured the Yonabaru Airfield, Yonabaru, several key terrain features and that important eastern bastion of the strong Shuri position, Conical Hill, thus opening the path to turn the enemy out of his defenses and force his withdrawal to the south tip of the island.
Following the capture of the Conical Hill the division broke the eastern part of the Shuri position and advanced rapidly against enemy resistance to the south in its zone through weather and mud that would have stopped less determined troops, developing the new enemy positon on the Yuza-Dake-Yaeju-Dake hill mass. As weather improved, the division made its final drive against and over formidable escarpments and rugged coral studded terrain to capture the northwestern portion of the Yaeju-Dake and the Yuza-Dake playing a major role in the elimination of the last enemy stronghold on Okinawa and the end of his organized resistance. During its 76 days of active combat on Okinawa, the 96th Infantry Division killed a reported 31.034 and captured 869 of the enemy with the low casualties in its own ranks of one American killed or missing to approximately 22 Japs killed or captured.
4. Higher commanders receive congratulations based upon the success of their commands. In my opinion the congratulations and praise should all go to the troops and troop commanders who do their job on that high plane of fortitude, sense of duty and teamwork that insures our success in battle. No high commander can be better than the troops he commands. I have been extremely fortunate in having your division under my command. It is my desire that every officer and man of your fine command including yourself accept the content of this letter as applying to him as an individual as well as to the division as a unit.
John R. Hodge
Major General, United states Army
Commanding
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
