Gekido no showashi: Okinawa kessen (1971) - full transcript

This is a film based on historical facts. However,
some fictional characters and situations were
added for dramatic purposes.

The Toho Co., Ltd.

August 7th, 1942.

The U.S. military dispatches a large
naval fleet to assault Guadalcanal.

This marked the start of the U.S. military's
Pacific counteroffensive.

Guadalcanal was to be
defended to the death!

After six months of
deadly battle...

...the ammunition and food supplies of the
Japanese garrison were exhausted.

Suffering from starvation, wounds,
malaria and amoebic dysentery...

...they were finally vanquished.

The U.S. military counteroffensive
that conquered Guadalcanal...



...spread from island to island
like an avalanche:

Bougainville, the Bismarck Archipelago...

...New Guinea, Makin, Tarawa...

...and finally, in 1944,
on July 7th...

...the defenders of Saipan chose
the path of ''gyokusai.''

The Americans were holding a
dagger to the throat of Japan.

lmperial Army Headquarters struggled
to predict the next American move.

Would they bypass lwo Jima and head
straight for mainland Japan?

Or would they cut across the East
China Sea and invade China?

Perhaps it'll be Taiwan,
or maybe Okinawa?

No matter what, we cannot let
the enemy get any closer.

No matter how much we bleed, no matter
how much sacrifice it takes...

...we must hold them
south of Okinawa.

About three months before, Headquarters
had reinforced the defenses of the...



...southwestern islands, and deployed
the 32nd Army to Okinawa.

The 32nd was commanded
by Lt. General Watanabe.

The basic strategy was
to use the 32nd to...

...secure the airfields, so that the enemy
could be attacked at sea from the air.

Okinawa, therefore, was to become
a giant aircraft carrier.

lye-jima lsland had
ideal terrain.

Three airfields were to be built in the
east, center and west of the island.

The main island of Okinawa was also to have
three airfields, in the north, center and south.

However, despite the tireless efforts of the
military, local government, and civilians...

...little progress was made toward
their planned completion by July.

lt was about that time that the sad news
of the fall of Saipan was announced.

The enemy will undoubtedly
land on this island as well.

Now is the time for the military and civilians
to unite against the enemy.

Army Commander Watanabe roamed the island,
delivering blunt assessments of the situation...

...in an attempt to galvanize
the people.

But instead they aroused feelings
of anxiety and fear.

The Army was a sham, consisting of a few
officers and construction workers.

The 32nd Army had a
head, but no limbs...

...so how could it possibly
protect Okinawa?

When the time comes, let all civilians unite
with the Army in embracing fate...

...and be prepared to die
an honorable death!

Battle of Okinawa
A Tempestuous Annal of the Showa Period

After the annihilation of Saipan,
despite dwindling resources...

...lmperial Headquarters took great pains
to rush reinforcements to Okinawa.

The first group, the 9th Division from Northern
Manchuria, arrived on July 11th.

Subsequently, the 24th Division, also from
Northern Manchuria, arrived on July 18th.

On August 8th, lmperial Headquarters
made some command changes.

To replace Lt. General Watanabe... who
was suffering from battle fatigue...

...the head of the Military Academy, Lt. General
Ushijima, was made 32nd Army Commander.

During the Manchurian campaign, he was
nicknamed the ''Merciless Brigadier.''

The Army Minister
agrees that...

...only Ushijima can be trusted with
the task of defending Okinawa.

Please tell me... if there is anything that
we at lmperial Headquarters can do.

We will get you whatever we
can, be it men or munitions.

l'll be on my way.

Gyokusai... Please, let
there be no gyokusai.

For the sake of the nation, you must
hold out as long as possible.

Well, l think that tenaciousness
is my one virtue.

Farewell.

Sir...!

August 10th: Lt. General Ushijima
arrives to take command.

His Chief of Staff, Major General Cho lsamu,
was known to be open-minded.

ln the Army he was famous
for his ''can-do'' attitude.

Colonel Yahara Hiromichi,
the Senior Staff Officer...

...graduated from Army University
on an lmperial scholarship...

...and had been sent to the United
States to continue his education.

The 62nd Division from Northern China was
the last to be deployed in Okinawa.

They joined the 9th Division, the 24th Division,
the 44th lndependent Brigade...

...a Tank Corps, an Artillery Regiment,
and a Naval lnfantry Unit.

ln all, about 100,000 soldiers
were ready for battle.

They look strong, don't they?

They look strong, don't they?
Eh?

Eh?

l'll bet the mainland soldiers are tough!
Eh?

Yeah...

Come over here!

Come see me tonight! l'll keep
my bed warm for you!

The Americans would be
stopped at Okinawa!

Such was the boast of the military,
and the people believed it.

lndeed, they could not
help but believe it...

...for they had never before seen such an
overwhelming display of military might.

Just give me a
minute, okay?

The 24th Division and a unit from the Artillery
Regiment will go to Nakagami.

The 9th Division and the core of the Artillery
Regiment will be based at Shimajiri.

The 62nd Division will be
deployed between them.

This means that, no matter
where the enemy lands...

...whether it's the eastern
or western shore...

...these divisions will attack
on the first night...

...and then, by the second night, we
can pound them with 400 cannons.

After bombarding them, we'll
launch a general offensive...

...and thoroughly crush
them on the beaches.

l believe the enemy may eventually deploy
five or six, maybe up to ten divisions.

But what if they land
them all at once?

The outcome will then depend
on how we array our forces.

My idea is that we fight
them in the caves.

Caves?

Yes, sir.

The coral reefs of Okinawa, particularly those
in the south, contain a multitude of caves.

We should take advantage of them, and
build a huge underground fortress.

Coral is something like chalk, so
it can withstand one-ton bombs.

Here in Mabuni we have
a perfect example.

l estimate that these caves could
easily hold an entire division.

Really...

...an entire division?

But lmperial Headquarters wants
Okinawa to be an air-base.

When the U.S. forces
landed on Saipan...

...we launched a general offensive
using all our airborne assets.

But we suffered a fatal blow,
and were utterly crushed.

So l don't understand what
Headquarters is thinking.

ln response to the fall of Saipan,
the Government...

...ordered Okinawa's elderly, women
and children to evacuate.

Yumi! Yumi!

Ken...

Don't let those mainland brats
beat you up. Be tough.

Yeah. Dad, you're a Japanese
too. You tough it out as well!

Yeah...

On the night of August 21st, the Tsushima-
maru, carrying 700 school children...

...headed to Kyushu, along with two
other ships and an escort ship.

There is a possibility that we might
encounter an enemy submarine...

...so while we are sailing, you must
obey the orders of the Captain!

YES, SlR!

You must never come out
on deck during daytime!

YES, SlR!

No tossing trash
into the ocean!

YES, SlR!

Around 10:00 PM on the 22nd, the engine
of the Tsushima-maru broke down.

lt lagged behind the
two other ships...

...and drifted near Akuseki lsland
in the Tokara Archipelago.

Good morning.

Good morning.
Good morning.

lt's been my opinion from the start
that maybe we shouldn't...

...no, that we must
not evacuate.

l don't want another tragedy
like the Tsushima-maru.

Okinawa is guarded by 100,000
soldiers of the lmperial Army.

And why would the enemy attack
our little island anyway?

So how can the civilian population
support the troops?

The elderly, the young,
men, and women?

lmperial Headquarters could
no longer stand by...

...while all the garrison's efforts were spent
on the construction of the fortresses...

...and so, on September 14th, they dispatched
Air Force Staff Officer Lt. Colonel Kamai.

Kamai was an expert in the
construction of airfields.

This is an order!

''Devote your full attention to the completion
of the airfields by the end of September.''

''You are personally responsible for
the completion of this work.''

By order of lmperial Headquarters,
the 32nd Army will temporarily...

...cease construction of the fortresses,
and instead build the airfields.

Can l depend on you to
carry out this task?!

lt shall be as you command!

Huh? So now we stop digging and start
leveling, is that it? Whatever...

Under the direction of
Staff Officer Kamai...

...construction proceeded without breaks
for sleep or rest, with the result that...

...the 32nd Army completed the
airfields in only ten days.

On October 3rd, Commander in Chief
of the Pacific fleet, Admiral Nimitz...

...received orders from the
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff...

...to occupy Okinawa
by March 1st, 1945.

Stealthily steaming towards Okinawa, the U.S.
prepared to launch Operation lceberg.

Early on October 10th, a swarm of enemy
airplanes descended upon Okinawa.

The first wave of 240 aircraft destroyed
the newly completed airfields.

The second wave of 220 planes
sunk many ships.

The third wave, 140 strong,
destroyed the ports.

The fourth wave sent 130 planes
against Naha City...

...almost instantly setting
most of the city on fire.

The Prefectural Office was the only
building to survive intact.

The planes that raided Okinawa were part of
Vice Admiral ''Bull'' Halsey's Third Fleet.

After attacking Okinawa, ''Bull''
continued south...

...to bomb the airfields
of Luzon...

...and attack Taiwan.

When informed of this, the Naval Air
Corps flew 500 aircraft to Taiwan.

''Our Air Corps has destroyed
the enemy fleet...''

A great victory was announced. The
people leaped to their feet in joy.

However, these reports
were in error.

Soon, a reconnaissance plane discovered
that Halsey's fleet was intact.

But by this time, lmperial Headquarters
had already set plans in motion.

Thinking that the enemy had
been seriously weakened...

...they believed that it would be possible
to hold the island of Leyte.

Three divisions from Taiwan, and one from
Shanghai, were rushed to the Philippines.

But this meant that new troops would
have to be sent to reinforce Taiwan.

Good, quite good. With
this kind of firepower...

...we'll be able to crush the enemy
as soon as they come ashore.

And while they're getting shelled, the
''blue frogs'' of Kerama will thrust...

...at the sterns and bottoms
of the enemy ships.

The Kerama lslands are located
35 kilometers from Naha.

''Blue Frogs'' were one-man plywood
boats capable of reaching 20 knots.

These suicide weapons were powered by car
engines, and crammed full of explosives.

The first squadron was based
at Zamasu lsland.

The second squadron was based
at Aka and Kerama lslands.

The third squadron was located
on Tokashiki lsland.

Each squadron had 100 carefully hidden
Blue Frogs, ready to strike.

The Keramas are hilly, so the enemy will
probably bypass them and land on lye.

With that as a foothold, they'll try to establish
a beachhead on the Kadena Coast.

Yahara, when do you think
the enemy will land?

Well... Next year, when the
cherry blossoms bloom.

Good. That's the right attitude. By
the time the blossoms wither...

...we'll have chased every single enemy
ship back to the East China Sea.

l have a telegram from Colonel
Hattori to Colonel Yahara.

''Select a division from the 32nd Army
for redeployment to Taiwan.''

''There will be a meeting in Taipei to discuss
the details of the troop movement.''

What's that
all about?

lt's to fill the hole left by the troops
that were sent to Leyte.

Assholes!

How can they do this to
Okinawa... and to me?!

Should we go
to Taipei?

That's where the meeting is,
so we have no choice.

The 32nd Army is part of
the Taiwan Command.

General, what should we do?
Should we ignore this?

No, we have to go. We'll go and
tell them what we think.

Considering the overall military situation, one
cannot understate the strategic value...

...of the Philippine lslands, and
we therefore suggest that...

...you reconsider its importance, and that
of the other south-western islands.

We understand why the core of
the 32nd has been redeployed.

Simply put, they bluntly stated that if
the Philippines were so important...

...then the entire 32nd Army
should be stationed there.

Our thinking regarding the 32nd should
be clear from this written opinion.

l was ordered to add nothing
so l will say no more.

The Taiwan conference ended without
a decision, in a haze of ambiguity.

But the ambiguity
was resolved...

...when the 32nd received a telegram
from lmperial Headquarters.

''The best divisions of the Okinawa
garrison will be redeployed.

''Their Commander will select the
troops to be transferred''?

This is outrageous!

Those Headquarters guys don't
understand anything!

lf they steal our best men,
what will become of us?

All our plans will come
to nothing. General!

lt's an order. lt is our
duty to obey orders.

Because of our soldiers, we
can go to school today.

lt's because of our soldiers, who fight
for our country, for our country!

On December 24th, Governor lzumi headed
to the mainland on official business.

Well, l'll be back as
soon as l can.

Have a safe trip.

However, the Governor was fated
never to return to Okinawa.

Dear, what on Earth
are you doing?!

lt's an evacuation, an evacuation! Pack
up right now and get on the boat!

So abruptly?

Don't complain... women and children
need to get out of here.

What about you?

Me, l'm an Okinawan. l'm gonna go
use this on the Army Commander!

How horrifying!

Silly! l'm now the barber
for the Command Staff.

They're paying me 150 yen a month,
and as an enlistment bonus...

...they gave me two months in advance.
Here's 300 yen. Take it and leave.

What? There are no more
evacuation ships?

ln order for us to take best
advantage of our forces...

ln order for us to take best
advantage of our forces...

...we should plan on a major
battle in Shimajiri.

We'll move the 62nd forward, and have
them change places with the 24th.

The 44th Brigade will be shifted
to the Chinen Peninsula.

What? Moving again?! Back to digging
holes, huh? Get outta here!

Yahara... you can't win a war
by going on the defense.

l'm aware of that. But if we don't have
the troops to launch an attack...

...our only choice is to
wage a war of attrition.

There's a telegram from
lmperial Headquarters.

lt's from Colonel Hattori.

Well?!

Sir! The 84th Division from Himeji
will be deployed here...

...to replace the 9th Division
that went to Taiwan.

Let me see that!

Hey, that's great!

General, this is
good news.

They haven't forgotten about
Okinawa after all.

However, the next day,
January 23rd...

...the deployment of the 84th Division
to Okinawa was cancelled.

Who canceled the deployment of the 84th
Division from Himeji to Okinawa?!

That'd be me.

Those orders came directly from
the Joint Chiefs of Staff...

...and were decided upon by the General
Staff of lmperial Headquarters.

l've already informed Okinawa.

l know...

Then why? Why...?

l thought about it all
night last night.

l told the Joint Chiefs of Staff this morning
that we should cancel the order.

But why?! The troops in Okinawa
will die without reinforcements!

Do you really think that if we sent troops
to Okinawa, they'd arrive safely?

We must make it happen. A unit in Okinawa
is worth two or three here at home!

Okinawa must be sacrificed to protect
the mainland! Don't forget that.

We're late in setting up our
homeland defenses...

...so we can't afford to divide our
forces for the sake of Okinawa.

l completely understand how the
32nd Army must feel about this.

But l have to consider...
the bigger picture.

l see. Now l really understand what
they think of us on the mainland.

So, we fight alone,
and die alone!

Bye...

What did they say?

They asked me to become
the Governor of Okinawa.

Of Okinawa?

And... what did
you say?

l made my decision.

l accepted. lf l declined, someone
else would have to go.

lf it were anywhere else l probably
would have passed.

On January 31st, 1945, Governor
Shimada arrived in Okinawa.

Okinawa is now at
the vanguard...

...of Japan's one capital, two boroughs,
and 43 prefectures.

l know we will all work
very hard together.

Our first task is to evacuate
the civilian population.

The military expects...

...that enemy fleets will assault lwo Jima
or Okinawa around mid-February.

Mid-February, you say?

Yeah. lf not in February, then March for
sure. Hey, wait, wait... No cameras.

l'll be promoted to Lt. General after they
reshuffle in March. Wait until then!

Boats will take
too long.

We'll evacuate the elderly, women,
and children to the northern hills.

Of course, the northern district
is short on food.

Nevertheless, we cannot let
the elderly and children...

...remain in what could
become a battlefield.

At the time, 7th and 8th
grade students...

...volunteered as couriers, and were
attached to the various units.

Older students joined the ''lron Blood
Loyalist Troops,'' and trained daily.

All told, there were 1700
male students.

Older female students made daily visits to
the military hospital to train as nurses.

These numbered
about 500.

February 18th, the U.S.
invades lwo Jima.

A U.S. force of
60,000 men...

...assaulted 19,000 Japanese defenders
under Lt. General Kuribayashi.

After lwo Jima, they'll
come for Okinawa!

We must defend Okinawa
with our own hands!

This is your homeland!

This is the front line
of our Empire!

Approximately 20,000 civilians
were drafted...

...in order to bolster the
fortified defenses.

These men were between
17 and 45 years old.

Major Jin Naomichi, reporting for
duty as Air Force Staff Officer.

Welcome. So we have another airplane
expert, but still no airplanes.

Welcome, indeed.

Kamai had us build airfields,
then he left.

Did you happen to bring us
any airplanes as a gift?

Sir...

Well...

l hesitate to explain my strategy to such
an airplane expert, but here it is.

We'll glue the entire island of Okinawa to our
suicide planes, and crash it into the enemy.

l figure our chances of hitting them
are 90%. That's not bad. Well?

Even ''War of Attrition''
Yahara likes this plan.

They've sent us
no planes.

So how can lmperial Headquarters expect
us to launch air strikes from Okinawa?

lf we don't, okay. But l would have preferred
not to build runways for the enemy.

Right!

l'll smash those airfields
with my own hands!

March 23rd, a garrison about
300 kilometers to the east...

...on Daito lsland sent a wire:
''Enemy vessels spotted.''

There also was a wire from the main
island's 44th lndependent Brigade...

A fleet of U.S. vessels had been spotted
off the Chinen Peninsula.

The Division Commander of Shimajiri's
24th Division reported...

...a fleet of U.S. warships sighted south
of the Kiya Cape, headed west.

The dawn of the next day, the 24th,
the battleships opened fire.

Mommy... Mommy...
Mommy... Mommy...

Later that day, the Prefectural Office
was moved to a cave at Shuri.

Military Headquarters was also moved, to
another huge cave below Shuri Castle.

At 9:00 PM that night, 298 female student
teachers and high school students...

...left to serve as volunteer nurses
at Haebaru Army Hospital.

The next day, the 25th, 285
male student teachers...

...graduated, and were
immediately drafted.

We, from this moment on, will be known
as the Student Teacher Division of...

...the lron Blood Loyalist Troops, and
will serve as Shields of the Emperor!

We will deploy as follows:
Sixteen at Headquarters.

Fifty-six will serve
as assault troops.

One hundred forty-three will
help build the defenses.

Twenty-two will be the
Chihaya squad.

Who are you guys?

Yes sir, we're the Chihaya
squad, 22 of us.

Headquarters sent us to serve
at the lnformation Center.

Okay. Go.

Um, where is the lnformation Center?

Go and look for it!

Whoops, whoops, whoops...
coming through.

Here you go...

Sorry!

What do you want?

Here it is!

Reporting for duty, sir.

Never mind that.

l'm Captain Masunaga. l'm in
charge of you Chihaya guys.

Now that you're here, go find Air
Force Staff Officer Jin for me.

Repeating your
order, sir!

We will go find Air Force
Staff Officer Jin.

Um... where should
we go?

lf l knew that, l wouldn't be
asking you to find him.

And when you do, tell him we've
got an urgent message for him!

Yes sir!

Barber, have you ever
been in the Army?

Yes sir, l was in New Guinea for
a stint. l got wounded there.

Well, l'm sorry to hear that.

Well, l'm sorry to hear that.
No, it's nothing.

Do you have family?

Do you have family?
Huh? l had them run away north...

...l mean, they were
transferred north.

lt's a good thing you
got them out.

When the battleships cease
fire, the enemy will land.

Today's bombardment was mainly
aimed at Chinen and Kiyan...

Today's bombardment was mainly
aimed at Chinen and Kiyan...

...but l see it as a purely
diversionary tactic.

lt'll be here, for sure...
at Kadena.

The bastards are going to land there, and cut
across to isolate the north from the south.

General, nine tokko planes
have landed.

So they've arrived!

So they've arrived!
lt's the Bukoku Unit.

They were on their way from the Kanto base
to Taiwan and decided to drop in.

They couldn't get to Taiwan
now anyway.

We have to crush them!

The enemy's right here!

But they're on their way to another mission.

But they're on their way to another mission.
Send them in!

Send them in!

Yes sir.
Send them in!

Move it!

Move it!

A dawn attack...
can you do it?

Any time, if we're
given orders.

Here are your orders:

The Bukoku Unit will depart at 5:30 AM for
Kadena Harbor and attack the enemy fleet.

They must be sunk.

The Bukoku Unit will
depart at 5:30 AM.

We shall reach Kadena Harbor, attack the
enemy fleet, and assuredly sink them.

Early in the morning... we'll
make our tokko attack.

As always...

...just follow me.

Got that?!

Got that?!
Yes sir!

One plane got a hit!

The second and third planes
are making their runs.

They did it for us.

The fourth plane is...!

The rest are
going in.

The enemy has landed
on Kerama.

What? On Kerama?

Completely undetected, U.S. troops
assaulted the Kerama lslands.

At 9:00 AM, the U.S. Army landed
on Tokashiki lsland.

The third garrison withdrew to Hill 234.

The third garrison withdrew to Hill 234.
Keep going!

Where will the civilians
find shelter?

The enemy will be attacking
us here at the fort...

...so get them into the
valley behind us.

Yes sir.

Hurry! Hurry!

Hurry! Hurry!

The villagers are in danger. Please
let them into the fort!

They can't come in!

Then just give
me a gun and l'll shoot them all!

No! Tell everyone that
all civilians are to...

Suicide...

Having reached the end
of their journey...

...all the villagers wished the Emperor
''Banzai,'' and prayed for victory.

They made the tragic decision that
they would rather laugh and die.

Families and relatives huddled
together in bunches.

Twenty to thirty people gathered
around each grenade.

On the heels of the sound
of exploding grenades...

...roaring, bizarre sounds echoed
across the valley.

The flesh of the old and young, the men and
the women, was instantly rent asunder.

Then was heard the hellish sound
of agonizing screams.

Those unlucky enough to survive
struck each other with clubs.

They used razor-blades to
slit their own throats.

They struck open the heads of loved
ones with spades and swords.

lt was a most horrifying spectacle.

The crystalline streams of the
valley ran red with blood.

ln mere moments, 394 people
gave up their lives.

April 1st, early dawn. Okinawa
was still asleep.

U.S. ships began exchanging coded
messages at 03:47 this morning.

The message traffic is similar to the three
hours preceding the invasion of lwo Jima.

The probability of a major
landing is very high.

Chihaya squad! Take this
to the lnformation Center!

Kaya's unit reports heavy bombardment
of Kadena beach started at 05:32.

Operator!

Operator!
Yes sir.

Yes sir.

Send this to Headquarters:
Yes sir.

Send this to Headquarters:

Send this to Headquarters:
Yes sir.

From the west beach of Kijima, we cannot see
the color of the ocean for the U.S. ships!

What?! Color of the ocean?!
What does that mean?!

lt's 30% ocean, 70%
ships. Get it?!

30% ocean, 70% ships!

They'll land right after
they stop firing.

Miyake... just so l'm
clear on this.

There are no other units near
their landing zone, right?

Okay! l know
what to do!

About 1500 landing craft placed four U.S.
divisions ashore starting at 8:30 AM.

Barber!

Barber!
Yes sir! Barber, at your service.

How sharp is your razor?

How sharp is your razor?
Sir, it's well-honed.

When the Americans come, l'll...

When the Americans come, l'll...
Good. Now give me a shave!

What a waste...

Sir?

The enemy staff must be very happy;
they've hit us at just the right time.

But their soldiers are just tiptoeing
around; they're afraid it's a trap.

Why aren't we shooting at them?
Now is the time for artillery!

lt's too soon, we can't afford to waste shells.
Besides, Air Force Staff Officer...

...where are our airplanes? How come
we're missing this 1-in-1000 chance?

Communications!

Communications!
Yes sir.

Yes sir.

Send a report to Headquarters.
Yes sir.

Send a report to Headquarters.

Send a report to Headquarters.
Yes sir.

The U.S. Army has started
coming ashore.

They have huge numbers
of men, well supplied.

What's the 32nd
Army doing?

They're not doing anything.

What...?

U.S. War Correspondent Ernie
Pyle wrote of this day...

...that the troops landed on Okinawa without
wetting their shoes, as if it were a picnic.

The G.l.s laughed, and said that Ushijima
was either a great strategist...

...or a complete jackass.

Stop bothering me with individual reports!
Bring them to me all at once.

Go get ready for a lantern parade!

Yes sir.

Yes sir.
''Lantern parade?''

What is this?

A group of girls came
to give us a hand.

Give us a hand?

They said the Army didn't
invite them, so they came on their own.

They were really going
to go out and attack.

Death to America! Death!
Death! Death to America!

The north airfield was captured even
sooner than we expected.

The defending troops were about to
be annihilated, so they retreated.

The central airfield is guarded by 170 students
from the Prefectural School of Agriculture.

That's bad, we can't have student troops
out there. Nagano, make them retreat.

The Navy cannon at Mount Heian was
destroyed before we retreated.

Also, 14 female soldiers from Chatan
Village have committed suicide.

And Kaya's troops?

They haven't retreated
a step since the enemy landed.

They're bravely standing
their ground.

Kaya was ordered to blunt
the enemy's advance...

...then fall back to the
main fortifications.

Maybe they should start
retreating now...

Kaya's a veteran, let's just
let him have his head.

Check that out.

Hey, ''Shorty.'' Okinawans must
defend Okinawa. Up to it?

l am.

You're going to charge holding a live
bomb, you know!

You're going to charge holding a live
bomb, you know!

Hey... you're really going to do it?

Hey... you're really going to do it?
Yes, really!

Duck! Duck!

Shorty!

Shorty!

Shorty!

Captain, l did it.

Shorty.

Well done! Great work!

Listen... l'll make this simple... They have
to launch a big air attack at once!

What's taking lmperial Headquarters so long?!

What's taking lmperial Headquarters so long?!
Should we cable Taiwan?

Should we cable Taiwan?

Of course!
Should we cable Taiwan?

This might be the Japanese
Army's final battle.

We must give it
all we've got!

Remember...

A sword charge is not a suicide
attack. Use your head.

Yes sir.

lt's my turn now.

The 32nd Army is trying
to save itself.

They've done nothing to
oppose the invasion...

...and now they're telling us
to send in some planes.

They're being far too
passive, and selfish!

Maybe we should blast them
one to wake them up.

Please look at this.

What is it?

To attain victory, the
airfields have to be recaptured.

That's what the 32nd has to do. Such
orders must be sent to Okinawa.

Wait.

We've got a responsible
commander out there.

Therefore, lmperial Headquarters
shouldn't meddle.

That's my opinion anyway.

That's my opinion anyway.
But...

An urgent request
from the Navy.

''On April 6th, we will launch a general
offensive against the Americans.''

''Success depends on using Okinawa's
North and Central airfields.''

lf we secure the airfields, the Navy
is willing to give us their all.

That's not possible.

The Navy sees Okinawa
as their battleground.

ln other words, they want the
Army to join the fight.

We have telegrams from lmperial
Headquarters and Taiwan.

Here.

''Control of the North and Central
airfields is, for the 32nd Army...

''...a vital strategic objective.''

''The recent battle at lwo Jima
is a clear example of this.''

They're giving us no respect!
lt's interference!

''Destroying enemy air and
naval assets is not just...

''...a fundamental goal of the
Battle of Okinawa but also...

''...a crucial prerequisite for launching
an air offensive.''

''You must therefore be completely prepared
to undertake this operation.''

They're telling us to
go out and fight.

They're giving us orders, as if
we were common soldiers!

Yakumaru!

Yakumaru!
Yes sir.

Yes sir.

Summon all staff officers!
Yes sir.

That's all of the demanding telegrams,
but never mind them.

What's essential is for us
to assess the situation.

The enemy isn't ready to attack us
yet. They're still advancing on us.

Their formations are still in disorder.
So now is when we'll attack.

Attack, with everything
we've got!

Our main force will mount a night attack,
and sow havoc and confusion.

We'll get them milling
around in confusion.

Once that's done, then we've
got the advantage.

The enemy won't be able to use
their artillery or bombs.

We'll destroy them in close combat,
which is our specialty.

That's it!

l'd like to hear your opinions.

l'm in agreement.

We should take
the offensive.

l believe that the 32nd should obey the
orders of lmperial Headquarters.

On other islands, unsupported attrition
tactics have had disastrous results.

Therefore, l would recommend a combined
air and ground assault here in Okinawa.

But it's a question of our manpower vs.
theirs; we're outnumbered five to one!

We won't know what that
means until we attack.

l'm for attacking.

Currently the 32nd Army
is mostly unhurt?

That's right.

This is not a question
of quantity of troops.

Wrong. The quantity of troops
is the key to everything.

l am in disagreement with
the General's opinion.

Let's hear it.

ln anticipation of the enemy
landing in Kadena...

...we have spent months
making preparations.

Things have turned out just
as we have anticipated...

...so if we now discard our plans
in favor of a general offensive...

...in the face of their over-
whelming numbers...

...we have no chance of
success whatsoever.

So, once the enemy forces have
completed their landing...

...launching an attack on
them would be suicidal.

Fine... understood.

We'll look to the General
for the final decision.

We'll reconvene in the Control
Room in 30 minutes.

l have decided that our main force will
attack the North and Central airfields.

Do your best.

The safety of our Empire depends on
the fighting spirit of the 32nd Army.

Exert every effort to crush the enemy
and defend our islands.

At all costs, keep on the offensive;
let there be no thought of retreat.

lt's a general offensive!

lt's a general offensive!

A general offensive?!

You got a grenade anywhere?

What's going on?

lt's a general offensive. Everybody's
going! l'm going too.

Oki Company will now fight under
the banner of the 32nd, sir!

Likewise for Tabuchi Company!
We're departing for duty, sir!

Be careful
out there.

Yes sir.
Yes sir.

General, all 2500 soldiers
have now gone to battle.

Those who remain
are mostly...

...mechanics, old soldiers,
young boys...

...and the squads of
volunteer women.

We have no way to help
the Army any more.

''The lmperial Navy, fighting
arm in arm with the Army...

''...will launch, against the enemy vessels
surrounding the Okinawan lslands...

''...an all-out assault.''

''This operation will decide whether
our Empire will flourish or perish.''

We, the 5th Air Fleet, will deploy
all the tokko planes we have...

...and implement Operation Kikusui;
we are risking everything...

...but unless we fight a decisive battle now,
our chance to win will never come again.

The 1st Assault Fleet was
due to sail on the 8th...

...to the Okinawan lslands and
launch tokko attacks...

...and so was preparing for
immediate deployment.

Send a telegram to the Navy to
stop the sortie of the Yamato.

There's no way it can get
past the enemy fleets.

l am an Ensign aboard
the Yamato.

We depart at 16:00; this will be
the final sortie of the Fleet.

The arrow has been released
from the bow.

l am a lookout, which requires me
to be constantly on the alert.

l'm very lucky, as a newly recruited
student soldier, to have this duty.

An outline of the current
operation is as follows:

First, the entire fleet
will charge forward.

This will attract the attention of
the U.S. Navy and Air Force...

...and thus provide targets
for tokko attacks.

lf we survive, we will thrust ourselves
into the heart of the enemy.

Then we become as Fire and Wind, and
shell them until our ammo is spent.

And if we still have any
strength remaining...

...we shall join the infantry on
land, and carry on the fight.

Currently the enemy
is advancing...

...to positions at Ojana, Ganiku,
Uebaru, and Wauke.

This means they're cutting the
main island into two parts.

Yahara, how are the preparations
coming for the assault?!

We've finished positioning the key
troops. As for the 24th Division...

l don't need to hear the details.
All right, looking good.

Our underground dragon will leap
out and thrust northwards.

This is going to
be magnificent!

General!

Three aircraft carriers and a fleet of 50 U.S.
ships are 150 km south, headed this way.

What?

What?
Let's see.

They'll be here in time for tomorrow's attack;
if they land to our rear, we're doomed.

We're canceling!

We're canceling tomorrow's attack.

Tomorrow is the day of our deaths,
and it approaches all too fast.

What will we die for? How will our deaths
matter? What will be our reward?

An Ensign, a graduate of the
military academy, said:

We die for our country... for the Emperor...
isn't that enough? What more is there?

A student recruit assertively responded:

To die for our country,
l understand that.

But what will that accomplish?

My death, my life, the defeat of
the entire nation of Japan...

...l want to relate these things to something
universal, something that has value.

Ensign: That's just an excuse, useless
and harmful quibbling.

As tokko, you wear the chrysanthemum...

...you can die shouting ''Banzai,''
you should be happy!

Student: That's not good enough for me,
l need something more than that.

One guy cried
at my words.

One guy bitterly
resented them.

One guy will never
forget me.

One guy will bring white
gardenias to my grave.

They are all
one guy.

lt won't be easy for them to
leave their fortifications.

Therefore, why don't we give
the 32nd Army a nudge?

Chief of Staff, send
them a telegram.

''The cancellation of your assault will
greatly affect our entire operation.''

''Your assault shall therefore
be launched...

''...on the night
of April 8th.''

Sir...

...we must obey these orders;
the 32nd's honor is at stake.

Please redraw your plans. We will
attack on the night of the 8th.

At 12:20 PM, anti-aircraft radar detected
three giant masses of airplanes.

Like fog and rain above the ocean,
they blocked out the sun.

The presence of these aircraft meant
that an attack was imminent.

A great formation appeared from between
the clouds, and dived towards us.

''Over 100 enemy planes, plunging
toward us,'' screamed the Captain.

And then he gave the
order: ''Open fire!''

Around 2:00 PM, 100 enemy ships were
seen approaching the Machinato shore.

This puts them on the left flank
of the 62nd Division.

lf they land, our assault will
not just be in jeopardy...

...but our forces will
be devastated.

We must call it off!

Honor be damned!

We're in this fix because...

...lmperial Headquarters withdrew
the 9th Division from Okinawa.

Cancel it! l'm going to go
convince the General.

A second wave of over 100 planes rained
down fury from the heavens.

As the second wave departed,
the third wave attacked.

Over 100 planes screamed
in on the port beam.

Five torpedoes struck
the port side.

The fourth wave of over 100 planes
flew in on the port beam.

Several more torpedoes struck
the port side of the ship.

The ship endured over 10 direct bomb
hits on the aft section of the deck...

...crippling its ability to fight its tormenters;
it was now defenseless.

The fifth wave, 100 strong, made
a sudden attack over the bow...

...followed by a sixth, a seventh,
and an eighth wave.

The colossal vessel lay
dead in the water.

Though the great ship remained
afloat, it was now a sitting duck.

You who are about to die, what have
you accomplished with your life?

lf there is something, speak of it. Have
you nothing, then, to be proud of?

Our life is short. lt is too
short. l am too young.

Forgive me. Don't let your heart break
for me, don't let it be ripped out.

l now know, full well,
the misery of death.

Enkan Pond's been hit! The
second tunnel's been hit!

The tunnel entrance has
been blown apart!

Don't waste your breath,
it's useless.

lt's Kamiyama lsland
again tonight.

They've got
good aim.

Ouch...

Mom...

l'm coming in.

What is it?

A message from the boat mechanics. They're
going to assault Kamiyama lsland tonight.

We failed.

What?! Failed?!

We got heavily shelled
at the rallying point...

...and three of us were killed. We
couldn't go through with it.

Assholes!

Once you go, don't you dare
crawl back like cowards!

l already told Headquarters that
you were attacking tonight.

Go!

Yes sir!

Come back again, and
l'll kill you myself!

Captain!

Just shoot me.

Captain. We can't
return to our unit.

lf we can't go back...

lf we're going to die either way,
we might as well go for it.

Let's all die together on
Kamiyama lsland.

Captain! What are you doing? We're
right in front of the enemy!

lt's all right, Sergeant.
l just wanted...

...those Headquarters bastards
to know we're here!

And now...
let's do it!

Currently, the U.S. Army
is roughly on this line.

Our artillery units have been lying low,
but now l've got them massed there.

And? What are
the results?

We've got them pinned down. The
M-98 rockets are proving effective.

The ''Ghost Rockets,'' huh? We used
those suckers in Singapore.

They're amazing.

According to reports, many of the
U.S. wounded are brain-damaged.

Great! lsn't that good?

How is the 62nd Division
holding up?

Let's just say that Shuri
here is the goal-line.

Rugby, huh?

There's fierce combat around
our bases along this line...

...from Machinato to Kakazu, the
western and upper plains...

...the hills of Tanabaru, and Wauke
on the eastern coast.

But the 62nd Division is strong; they're
standing their ground like veterans.

Kakazu is the key position. lf this
were rugby, it'd be the ball.

lf they take it from us, Shuri
will be threatened.

SHOOT!

CHARGE!

''Your hot blood courses passionately;
pound your chest and be exultant.''

''The full moon reflects on the surface of your
sake; enjoy a moment of intoxication.''

''We will conquer the sky of Okinawa.
l shall go first, and you shall follow.''

The U.S. Army showed signs of weakness;
the chances for victory were perhaps 70%.

The Combined Fleet seized this opportunity
and sortied every available airplane.

They threw everything they had
into ''Operation Heaven #1.''

But the Navy's doing it! Their
tokko attacks are lethal!

Let's do it too.

Let's launch a lethal
night assault!

General, when l...

What is it?

When l see you,
it calms me.

ls that right?

Perhaps that's
my real job.

The Staff Officers are better
than me at strategy.

So, what's your opinion?!

ln the present circumstances, a
night assault is impossible...

...as the front line is
constantly shifting.

An organized night attack
is impossible.

lt's because they're shifting
that the time is right.

Merge the 62nd and 24th Divisions,
and let them attack tonight!

The cost of the night attack was
the loss of two battalions.

Doctor! Doctor!

You've come this far!
Don't you die on me!

Tourniquet.

You call this a Hospital? l won't
forget this, even after l die!

Shut up!

You shut up, moron!

Hey, this guy's dead.

Get the dead
out of here.

l'm in pain!

Hurry it up!

A bug just crawled in my ear. Ouch!
Ouch! Take it out! Take it out!

Prepare to ventilate!

Start ventilating! One-a-
two-a-three-a-four.

We see the hill of Shuri
Castle far away...

ln the beautiful breeze of pine-scented wind...

What's all this for?
ln the beautiful breeze of pine-scented wind...

ln the beautiful breeze of pine-scented wind...

They said we'd all die...
ln the beautiful breeze of pine-scented wind...

ln the beautiful breeze of pine-scented wind...

...if the carbon dioxide builds up.
ln the beautiful breeze of pine-scented wind...

The roof stands high...

This is our school where we learn...

What are you doing?
This is our school where we learn...

This is our school where we learn...

l want to be a nurse. Please let me help.
This is our school where we learn...

l want to be a nurse. Please let me help.

l want to be a nurse. Please let me help.
Friends, our beloved friends...

Friends, our beloved friends...

Okay. Hold his leg.
Friends, our beloved friends...

Friends, our beloved friends...

Yes.
Friends, our beloved friends...

Friends, our beloved friends...

The beautiful white lilies
with noble aroma...

Those are our flowers blooming
in our heart...

The most beautiful scent
in the world...

Please... water!

Some water!

Give me water!

Here's the newspaper.

Hey, lron Blood Loyalist.

Sir?

This proclaims victory after victory;
it's nothing but lies.

Get this out of here.

Yes sir.

ln my next life, l'm going
to the fairytale land...

...of Hans Christian Andersen,
and becoming the prince.

l'm going to commune with the
birds, the flowers, and trees.

May there be eternal prosperity
for the great Empire of Japan.

lf things don't change...

...the 32nd Army will burn down like
a candle, and get snuffed out.

However, we still have the 24th Division,
the 44th lndependent Brigade...

...and the Artillery regiments,
all unharmed and intact.

We must fight a decisive battle...

...and let the chips fall where they
may. That's what l think.

l am opposed.

The enemy has an overwhelming advantage.

lf we engage them
in open combat...

...we'll easily lose five men for
every one of theirs who falls.

ln war, you don't know
unless you try!

Now is the time for
calm judgment.

We're missing our chance
for victory!

l'm opposed to
a futile attack!

Yahara...

lf, here in Okinawa...

...we don't try to attack,
even once...

...and we get defeated, how will
we apologize to His Majesty?

No... how will we apologize
to Japan?

We will apologize to no
one. We won't have to.

We're doing the best that
we possibly can.

War must be fought aggressively!
Actively!

We must seek life amidst death!
That is the path to victory.

So, to achieve that victory,
we must give our all!

Gas bomb! lt's
a gas bomb!

Calm down!

Don't panic! lt's not a gas bomb!
Return to your posts!

Yahara...

Please...

Let's die together.

The next attack... please
support my plan.

Send the following: ''Except for
one division assigned...''

''...to defend Oroku Naval Base, our
forces are to merge with the Army.''

lt's absurd.

They're asking us to join in their
all-out attack. lmpossible.

We have only one rifle to five men, two-three
grenades each, and no automatic weapons.

Message from the 32nd Army: ''Deploy
four battalions immediately.''

What?!

What?!
l'll go.

Huh?

Organize the recruits
into four battalions.

Victory or defeat, neither
concerns us.

My friends say ramming a
ship will be quite painful.

As l go, l remember that
l owe someone money.

lf you are in a hurry to fly, sometimes
you forget to urinate first.

l feel alive again. 5:00 PM and 5:00 AM
are my favorite times of the day.

l wonder why they always stop bombing
and shelling us at those times?

lt's because even Americans
need to take a piss.

That's true.

Hey mister? Mister Barber?

Huh?

lt is you.

Oh... You're the
Tinsmith's son.

Yes... Kokuba.

As part of the attack on May 4th,
l'll be part of a sword charge...

...so l need to have someone be
responsible for my bones.

Sir, could l put your name
down on the form?

Sure. Sure, but hey...

Hey, how old
are you?

Sixteen! Thank you.

Sixteen...

Sixteen...

Before our big attack, l have
a special request.

Recently, we've had reports
of civilians...

...aiding the enemy.
This is a problem.

Please be on watch for such
unpatriotic people.

l don't believe there are any such
people among the villagers.

No.

There are spies,
for certain.

They've cut our
phone lines...

...they go around saying ''Stop
the war.'' They exist, all right.

Who goes there?!

Can you let me rest
here for a while?

Where did you
come from?!

What?

Where did you
come from?!

l'm tired. Our school
burned down.

Civilians aren't allowed
in the fortresses!

On your way!

What happened?!

A spy! That guy
gave the signal!

Hold it!

Hey.

What do you think
about this attack?

Well...

l wouldn't know.

lt's a success.

We're winning.

Really?

Two hundred of our guns have stopped
defending and started attacking.

But everything depends
on what happens next.

The 32nd Army's lto Battalion assaulted
and occupied the Tanabaru hills.

They destroyed an enemy
supply dump!

Good...!

Well done, lto Battalion! General, they
deserve a letter of commendation!

Companies, form
a defensive ring!

Yes sir!

Squad leader!

Squad leader!
Yes.

Squad leader! Send a coded message
to Regimental Headquarters!

Everyone who knows
the codes is dead.

Then send it in the clear: Battalion
is currently at Hill 154.9!

Repeat: Battalion is currently
at Hill 154.9!

2nd Company Commander...
Oyama is dead!

Understood. 2nd Company...

...will be lead by
2nd Lt. Kurata.

Yes sir.

l can't tell...

...can't tell what's going
on in all that smoke.

There.

My soldiers! You've indeed fought
well here in Okinawa!

As your Commander, let me express
my undying gratitude!

Bandage.

A rocket hit Cave #5! Students
and patients are buried alive!

Sawada! Sawada!

Sawada! Sawada!
Doctor, hang on.

Doctor, hang on.

Sawada.
Doctor, hang on.

Doctor!

Doctor, it's Miss Takashiki.

Hang on, Hiro...
Hang on.

Takashiki!

Hiro...!

Takashiki.

Takashiki, hang in there.

This is one heavy daikon!

Next...

No! Don't cut off my leg!
Who'll marry me then?!

You're leaving?

l'm going to lmperial Headquarters to
request help from the Air Force.

l have the permission
of our Commander.

We'll be on our way!

Left face... On my mark...

Forward...

...March!

Do your best!

Do your best!

Do your best!

The 32nd Army is no longer
an effective military unit.

Such being the case, we should
give up on Okinawa...

...and devote our efforts to the mainland;
l believe this would be for the best.

This is why the 32nd Army must hold the
enemy as long as possible in Okinawa.

l know...

l know that l will die
here in Shuri.

l too thought that we would
make our final stand here.

But this isn't our last bastion;
we still hold other positions.

But this isn't our last bastion;
we still hold other positions.

lf we moved south and regrouped,
the 32nd could fight on.

l'll give you my
gut feeling.

l am...

...sick of this
damn cave.

Yahara...

...can't we die yet?

lf we die now, we give up
all chance of victory.

l agree with Yahara.

Chief of Staff.

To the last man...

To the last shaku and
sun of Okinawa...

...let us fight on.

l believe that this is the
destiny of the 32nd.

lmperial Headquarters resolved to
fight a decisive mainland battle.

Okinawa would receive no
more reinforcements.

The Giretsu Airborne Assault Force
was to be the last to be sent.

However, news of this reversal
by Headquarters...

...somehow failed to reach
the defenders of Okinawa.

We could retreat to the Chinen
or Kiyan Peninsulas.

But Yonabaru, at the neck of the Chinen,
has already fallen to the enemy.

So it would be difficult
to go there.

l don't know for sure how many
men we've got left...

...but let's say we've
still got 50,000.

What will our strategy be if we withdrew
that many troops to the south?

l'd like to hear
the plans.

We'll locate Headquarters
in Mabuni...

...and fight with the Yaesu and Yoza Mountains
as the linchpins of our front line.

Excuse me, l'm Governor Shimada.

l hear you are retreating
to the Shimajiri district.

We're not retreating, we're
moving our Headquarters.

This is a highly classified military
briefing, please leave.

lf the Shimajiri district becomes
a battlefield...

...well, there are 300,000
civilian refugees there.

l thought they were evacuated
to the north.

We had no transportation, so
only 50,000 went north.

Why did you send 300,000
people south?

The people believed that since your
Headquarters was in Shuri...

...that it would be safe
to move south.

Please evacuate them immediately.

How can they get past
the U.S. forces?

There is no route that connects
to the north.

What are we going
to do then?

Mr. Shimada... We've decided
on our course of action.

The 62nd Division is against
moving the Headquarters.

The 62nd Division
wants to die here.

Our resources are almost exhausted...

...and we have no strength left to move
and then begin fighting again!

You Chiefs of Staff
should know this.

Also, several thousand
of our injured...

...are here in the
Shuri area.

The Division cannot
abandon them.

We cannot leave our comrades-in-arms
behind; we will not move from here!

Also...

...thousands of our comrades
have fallen.

The 62nd will stay and protect the
injured who cannot be moved...

...and join our fallen comrades
in honorable gyokusai!

The Division Commander
strongly desires this.

The people of Okinawa...
trust the military.

Thus they've gathered in
the south of the island.

lsn't there any way that you can
save these 300,000 people?

Please leave.

Mr. Shimada.

We soldiers, for the
sake of Japan...

...have to do whatever we
can to win this battle.

Please understand.

And l, as Governor...

...have to do whatever l can
to save the people.

You're not old enough
to smoke, are you?

No, l'll try it, this'll be
my last chance.

Anti-aircraft fire! Planes two
and four have been hit!

Shit!

lt's shaking like l've had a stroke. l'd
rather die than be crippled like that.

Planes three and five
have been hit too!

Mr. Okuyuma, here we
go! Hang on tight!

Fly smoothly,
Mr. Suwabe!

Smoothly now!

We're going in!

We're going in!
Yes sir!

A moment later, the last plane
pancaked onto the runway.

Eight or nine fully armed soldiers
jumped out of the plane.

They spread out in
eight directions...

...and began throwing grenades
at the rows of U.S. planes.

Seven attack and cargo planes
went up in flames.

ln addition, they destroyed
a total of 26...

...bombers, fighters, and
other attack planes.

Six hundred drums containing 70,000 gallons
of gasoline exploded into flames.

The north airfield was put out of
action until 8:00 AM of the 25th.

After we relocate Headquarters, the military
hospital will also move south.

We'll take as much equipment
as we possibly can.

Patients who are not ambulatory
will have to be left behind.

Left behind...?

We've been ordered to take
the necessary measures.

Necessary measures...?

What's going to
become of us?

Hey student, take
me with you!

We fought for you!
For your sake!

Take me with you! Take me with
you! Take me with you!

Nurse, excuse me...

What?

Do you have a razor
l could borrow?

l got one, but what do
you want it for?

l need to shave.

Oh, sure...

Thank you.

l'll give you a hand.

Hurry up and go.

Takashiki... okay,
let's go.

lt hurts!

lt hurts!
Relax.

Relax.

lt hurts!
Relax.

lt hurts!

lt hurts!
Be strong, we have to go.

l can't. Doctor, l'm
staying behind.

What are you talking about!
You can do it.

lt hurts!

Somebody give
us a hand!

We need to carry
out a student!

Please give us a
hand! Please!

Please!

Sorry to trouble you...
but, please dress me.

Takashiki...

l promise l'll come
back for you.

Yes. l'll wait
for you.

Doctor, please
take care.

T... Takashiki...

Mom...

Come on, hang on!

Take me! Take me!

Take me!

Take me!

Hey! l'm Sergeant Omori, from the
lndependent Machine Gun Unit.

Anybody know where
my men are?

lf you see them, you tell 'em, that Omori
was crawling around in the mud.

l won't die
like this.

They're leaving me here to die, but l won't
go that easy. l'm not dying that easy!

Sneaking off in the middle
of the night, Mr. Barber?

You can leave
if you want.

No sir. l'm coming along! Please
let me go with you.

Sir, the Chihaya squad
will escort you.

Now! Move!

What are you guys?

The 62nd Division.
We heard...

...that some of our men were
still at the hospital.

Our guys... no, the enemy...
how far have they gotten?

Naha... and Yanabaru.

lt's as if Shuri's being strangled.

That Staff Officer was really moved, but
he's got it all wrong, doesn't he?

That hospital was
like Hell.

That's right, Hell. You're better off dead
than writhing in agony there.

That's what we told him...
but he's a idiot!

Let us die
with you!

Who is it?

Who is it?
The Giretsu Airborne Raiding Force.

The Giretsu Airborne Raiding Force.

Huh...?
The Giretsu Airborne Raiding Force.

So some of you guys made it.

So some of you guys made it.
We finally... got here...

...but it's too late...

...but it's too late...
Asshole!

Do you think our country can
be defended by corpses?!

''Yasukuni Shrine:'' Tokyo shrine that
commemorates Japan's war dead.
The Yasukuni Shrine will become full only
while the frontlines become empty!

Please leave, we're blowing
up the shelter.

Calm down, you idiot. l gotta
have a smoke first.

Where were you born?

ln Tokyo.

Good, then l'll explain
it so you'll understand.

From here in Shuri
to Kiyan...

...let's say you're walking along
the Yamanote railway track...

...is the distance from Shinjuku
to Shinagawa.

Something like that.

You can get there even
if you're crawling.

Go there, even if you have
to crawl all the way!

We've been ordered to retreat!
Sergeant, please retreat!

We can't retreat now, this is
our big chance! You idiot!

Fire!

We hit it!

This is going to be a battlefield, hurry
and go to the Chinen Peninsula.

Senior Staff Officer,
did you see that?

See what?

See what?
That lady was holding a baby's leg.

Doctor Nakasone!

Head nurse!

Teacher!

Teacher!

l've got something
for all of you.

Look, cabbages!

Wow!

Doctor, have some.

Oh, thanks.

Glad you made it, sir.

How is the General and the others?

How is the General and the others?
They got here about an hour ago.

How far away is
the enemy?

They've invaded Naha and Shuri,
and begun moving south.

Where are our positions?

What's the matter?

Only 30,000 were
able to retreat.

What?

Each battalion is down
to about company strength.

We're down to about 20%
of what we started with.

Not only that, the Oroku naval battalion,
because of a communications error...

...have gone down to Maehira
on their own.

This weakens
our left flank!

General.

Headquarters is telling
us to return to Oroku.

But the Army just wants to
use the Navy as a shield.

Let's go back
to Oroku.

lt was our mistake.

lt was our mistake.
But we've destroyed everything there;
the fortifications and the artillery.

We can rebuild what's
been destroyed.

Huh?

As long as we have our
fighting spirit, we can do it.

The Navy strength
lies in its spirit.

Also, l refuse
to fight...

...amidst non-combatant civilians.

Then we will leave the nurses, cooks,
and communications staff behind?

Of course.

The Governor would have
reported the situation in Okinawa...

...had there been any
way to do so.

The 32nd Army has also admitted that
it has no means of communication.

Though the Governor has
not asked me to do so...

...l cannot keep silent about
the present situation.

So on his behalf, l am writing
this emergency report.

Since the enemy invaded Okinawa...

...the Army and Navy have
fought a defensive battle.

They haven't had the resources to
protect the civilian population.

Nonetheless, the island's young people
volunteered to man the defenses.

Those who remained, the elderly,
women, and children...

...have lost their homes and
possessions to the bombs.

They moved themselves to shelters, where
they wouldn't hinder military operations.

They wandered about amidst falling
bombs, exposed to the elements...

...existing in a world of suffering
and deprivation.

General.

l am sorry.

l am sorry.
What? What's happened?

What? What's happened?

We have women volunteers...
What? What's happened?

They must change
their clothes.

Otherwise, they'll
catch colds.

Young women served the Army by
nursing, cooking, and even...

...carrying ammunition; some of them
begged to be allowed to fight.

Banzai!

Pull them in! Hurry!

Bastards!

There was no reward
for their service.

As the battle drew towards
its close...

...the natural terrain of the
island of Okinawa...

...became twisted into a ravaged,
scorched landscape.

Thus did the people
of Okinawa fight.

ln the future, l request that they
receive special considerations.

Hey, you women! Get
out of the shelter!

Say something! This
is no place for you.

All villagers must leave the
shelter. That's an order.

Leave!

We're not going to leave.
This is our shelter.

You're a soldier,
aren't you?

You're fighting the Americans,
aren't you?!

What?

Why do you scurry
from shelter to shelter?

Why are you chasing us out?! Why
do you want to keep hiding?!

Don't let him cry, the
enemy will hear.

Take me... take me to
the hospital, hurry!

Are you just going
to let me die?

Dear, l'm sorry, but there's
nothing we can do.

Don't talk! One more
word and l'll kill you!

Well...?

l have to pee!

Are you scared
or something?

Just go do
it inside.

l can't, it's unsanitary!

Then just squat right
here and do it.

Hey mister.

Huh?

How much for a cup
of that water?

30-sen.

Business is good, eh...?

l'm risking my life. l should
be charging 50-sen!

Hey! Hang in there!

Long live the Emperor!

You idiot, you're barely scratched!

Really...?

Tokko Battalion #3 tenaciously
kept on fighting.

Halt!

Who goes there?!

Sir, l'm an lron Blood Loyalist!

''lron Blood''?

Local High School
students, sir.

What's with the
white flag?

Please let me in.
l'll explain.

Captain!

Bastard! You led the enemy
here, didn't you?

No!

You're aiding the enemy by
trying to get us to surrender!

That's not true!

Do you still dare
to call yourself Japanese?

You're wrong!

Wrong...

Finally, only five men were
left in veteran Kaya's unit.

Here.

Captain, sir.

Mom... Mother...
Hurts! lt hurts!

General... Governor
Shimada is here.

Well, hello there,
Mr. Shimada.

l'm heading off
to Kunigami.

l came to say farewell.

l'm glad you came by.

Please, come in.

What's this?

Bonito jerky... Please,
have a snack.

Thank you.

l brought you a gift too,
some sugarcane.

Thank you.

Hey, Yahara... Senior Staff Officer...
l'm sick of this war of attrition.

Please, sir!

You're requesting an air
strike at this late date?

The 32nd is close
to annihilation.

Then annihilation
is inevitable.

Okinawa is the opening skirmish before
the definitive mainland battle.

But Okinawa is...

There were two unforgivable mistakes
made about Okinawa.

The first...

...was the transfer of the 9th Division; that
was the fault of lmperial Headquarters.

And the other was the 32nd Army's
neglect of air operations.

That was an error made
of your Commanders.

Let's go!

Speaking of these last three months of
valorous fighting by all our soldiers...

...and of their diligence in their duty,
they have nothing to regret...

...and indeed they should
congratulate each other.

However, now our swords are broken and
our arrows have been exhausted.

The army will soon
meet its destiny.

Communications between Headquarters
and the battalions has been cut.

All battalions will therefore be lead
by their surviving senior officers.

They are to fight to the very end,
and live on in eternal glory.

Yeah.

Live on in eternal glory.

Hey, all of you! You students have
all been released from duty.

Released?

Released?
How come?

Orders from the Army.

Orders from the Army.
What will we do now?!

lt's dangerous here, so we should
get out while we can.

Teachers and students are
now released from duty.

lf any of you want to fight
alongside the Army...

...you can do so
if you want to.

As to what is best, and what you
should do, l don't know.

All of you, do what you want. Surgical
Division #2 is hereby dissolved.

Doctor... are you going
to kill yourself?

Don't be silly! These
are vitamins.

The Army has disbanded us,
sir! What are we to do?

What's going to happen
to Okinawa?

You must live...!

For your own sakes!

And you must
live on...

...for the sake
of Okinawa!

You must live!

The army told us to die! To die for
Japan! And we believed them!

We're up against
the wall.

Shouldn't the Staff Officers infiltrate the U.S.
areas and engage in guerrilla warfare?

We Staff Officers aren't commanders!
We don't have to die here!

Lt. General Ushijima gave missions
to each of the Staff Officers...

...and therefore, they were forced
to depart from Headquarters.

l will take the lead. Everybody
follow me!

Farewell, General!

Take care of yourselves!

General!

We shall be going before you.

We shall be going before you.
General!

General!

Farewell!
General!

Farewell!

Farewell!
General!

Don't die on me
after all this.

Aren't you going too?

Not yet.

l don't know what will happen to them,
but you'll manage to escape.

Just don't be
in a rush.

lf your route should take a day,
take three days to get there.

Sir...

That's right, Yahara.
We need you to succeed.

Yahara...

We were always drinking together
in Saigon, before the war...

Remember the movie called
''The Blue Danube?''

Huh?

We saw it at the cinema
next to the Hotel Majestic.

That was a beautiful movie.

lf can swim, swim out.
Hurry and come out.

Walk along beach
to harbor.

Chief of Staff, sir.

What is it?

We've received a Letter of Commendation
from lmperial Headquarters.

What, a Letter of Commendation?

Just the standard form letter, the
same one they always send.

L... Let me see that.

General... General,
isn't this great?

One more thing. We got a report
that U.S. General Buckner...

...was killed at Maezato.

What? Buckner?!

A Commendation,
and Buckner, too!

lt's nice to get presents.

Tomorrow, on top of
Mount Mabuni...

...we're committing seppuku, while we
watch the 32nd make its final attack.

Barber, l'm next after
the General.

Give me some!

Give me some!
l want to die too!

You can't have any.

Now, hurry up and go.

Cowards!

The familiar look of a row
of Soushi Trees...

We passed by through
them many times...

lt is so tough to
leave here...

The dreamlike good
old days are gone...

l do miss those days...

ln the school where
we studied...

The enemy's coming!

Everybody, come out.

Men, come out naked. Women,
hold white flags.

Come out. lf not come
out, throw in bomb.

Gas bombs!

Gas bombs!

Get over here!

Get over here!

Teacher, l can't breathe!

Teacher! Let's get
out of here!

Mother!

Urinate and put it over
your mouths!

Mommy! Let's
go to Daddy!

We'll go to him... we'll
go to him together.

Don't give up!
Come on!

Hey!

lt'll be impossible at the peak,
so here will have to do.

Shall l go first, and be your
guide to the next world?

No. l will go first.

Oh, right. The General is headed to
Paradise, and l'm going to Hell.

l forgot we had different destinations!

General.

They got killed. Six members of the
Message Unit of Suisan School!

Guard the entrance
to the death.

To the death, sir!

General, come and do that outside,
while we attack the peak.

Go!

Yes sir!

Charge!

Stop!

Stop!

Retreat!

Get back!

Get back!

Get out of here!

Get out!

What do you think you're
doing? Go!

Get out!

lf you return again,
l'll kill you!

lt's too dangerous outside,
best it be done here.

Yahara. Watch carefully, so
you'll know how it's done.

Hey!

Help! Let us in!

Hey...

What?

They disembowled themselves.

The General did?

They can die if they want, they're soldiers!
But we don't have an easy way out!

Mr. Barber... this island
is our homeland.

Our ancestors are buried
here. We Okinawans...

...should fight to
the very end.

This is the end. The Commander
is dead, it's all over.

Hey, let's just stay
here, okay?

We can die later if we want,
even after we get captured.

And you call yourself a Japanese
soldier?! Shame on you!

You fought well. lf you come
out now, we will not kill you.

Well, l'm going.

Yeah. Hang in there.

Hey! Hey!

Shit!

Don't be frightened! Japan
will win! We'll win!

The lmperial Army
will show them!

My husband... my husband
is in the cave.

Hey, soldier.

Wh... Where's your uniform?

Hey, listen carefully!
All your comrades...

...have gone to the
Yasukuni Shrine.

So why do you go on
living, you coward?!

Don't shoot!

Father!

Watch out!
Get down!

Come on...!

Can you really do it?

Can you really do it?
Yes!

Really?

Really?
Yes!

Honestly?

Honestly?
Yes!

Okay. Then let's
all die together.

Huddle together.

All you women leave!

All of you leave! lf you don't
leave, l'll cut you down!

Your deaths would
be pointless!

Why?

Why must
you die?!

Run!

Mother...

Chasing the rabbit into
the mountains...

...fishing for small
carp at the river.

We still dream of it, our
unforgettable home.

ln the Battle of Okinawa, one third of
the civilian population perished.

The End