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The End Game with Japan. 19 February – 26 March 1945. 1 April – 22 June 1945. Iwo Jima. US Casualties: 6,821 KIA 19,217 WIA 2,648 Combat Fatigue 33% of total force Japanese losses: 20,000+ KIA 1,083 POW. Problems. Bombardment too short (3 days)
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19 February – 26 March 1945 1 April – 22 June 1945
Iwo Jima • US Casualties: • 6,821 KIA • 19,217 WIA • 2,648 Combat Fatigue • 33% of total force • Japanese losses: • 20,000+ KIA • 1,083 POW
Problems • Bombardment too short (3 days) • Japanese strength underestimated • Change in Japanese tactics • Soil conditions • US casualties underestimated
Okinawa • Largest amphibious operation of the Pacific war. • 34 US ships sunk • 368 damaged • 763 aircraft lost • 12,000 KIA • 5,000 Navy • 8,000 USMC and Army
As many as 2,800 kamikaze attacks were directed against American ships around Okinawa. USS Bunker Hill 11 May 1945 653 casualties
Japanese losses: • 100,000+ KIA • 23,000+ sealed in caves • 10,755 POW • 7,830 aircraft • 16 combat ships • 40,000 + civilians killed
The Japanese Home Islands
Actual dispositions as of August 1945 7,000 aircraft vs. 10,500 aircraft 14 Divisions vs. 14 Divisions , 9 Brigades
Manhattan Project • AUG, 1939: Einstein–Szilárdletter to FDR • JUNE, 1941: “Office of Scientific Research and Development.” Active planning starts. • JAN, 1942: FDR formally authorizes development of an atomic bomb. • SEPT, 1942: BG Leslie Grove becomes project head • OCT, 1942: Robert Oppenheimer appointed technical head.
Oppenheimer Grove
DEC 1942: Enrico Fermi’s nuclear reactor “goes critical” under the stands of Univ. of Chicago’s Stagg Field. • DEC, 1944: 509th Composite Group formed under Colonel Paul W. Tibbets • JULY 1945: • Trinity Test • USS Indianapolis sails for Tinian with bomb components. • 6 AUG, 1945: Bomb dropped on Hiroshima • 9 AUG, 1945: Bomb dropped on Nagasiki