The Last Days of World War II — Season 1, Episode 18: June 17-June 23: Victory on Okinawa

Episode synopsis

In the Philippines, Appari, the last port held by the Japanese, falls to U.S. forces, who now make contact with Filipino guerrillas. After three months of some of the most bitter fighting of the entire war, the Japanese finally cease trying to defend Okinawa against U.S. forces. At dawn the Japanese commander, Lt. General Mitsuru Ushijima emerges from his bunker in a cave and commits ritual suicide in front of his shocked and demoralized staff officers. Victory at Okinawa places U.S. forces just 400 miles from mainland Japan. Lt. General Simon B. Buckner, commander-in-chief of the U.S. 10th Army, is killed by shrapnel as he visits front line troops.

About The Last Days of World War II

The Last Days of WWII is a twenty-six part historical documentary covering the final six months of combat in weekly segments to discuss the decisions, battles, strategies, and ultimate legacies of the war.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1February 18-February 24: The Battle for Iwo Jima
• E2February 25-March 3: The Allies Advance
• E3March 4-March 10: Firestorm Over Tokyo
• E4March 11-March 17: Hitler's Last Offensive
• E5March 18-March 24: The Race for Berlin
• E6March 25-March 31: War in the Pacific
• E7April 1-April 7: The Invasion of Okinawa
• E8April 8-April 14: Nazi Death Camps
• E9April 15-April 21: Assault on Berlin
• E10April 22-April 28: Bloody Stalemate on Okinawa
• E11April 29-May 5: The Fall of Berlin
• E12May 6-May 12: Germany Surrenders