The Battle of Okinawa was a crucial campaign in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, commencing on April 1, 1945, and concluding with the collapse of organized Japanese resistance in June. The fighting on Okinawa was marked by intense ground combat, aerial bombardments, and the use of kamikaze tactics by Japanese pilots. As American forces sought to capture the island to use it as a base for an invasion of Japan, Japanese defenders implemented a strategic approach utilizing the rugged terrain of Okinawa. Despite fierce resistance, the overwhelming numbers and superior logistics of the Allied troops led to eventual victory. By June, the Imperial Japanese Army found itself significantly outnumbered and poorly supplied. The final organized stand occurred in the Mabuni area, which turned into a desperate fight as the Japanese troops, predominantly consisting of regular soldiers and local conscripts, faced an inevitable defeat. The U.S. forces employed a combination of ground assaults and naval bombardment, leading to the collapse of Japanese defenses and the surrender of remaining soldiers soon after.