The Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters

On Veteran's Day, Garry and I decided it would be a good time to visit The Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters.  From our information pamphlet:

Members of the Japanese Navy Corps of Engineers, Yamane Division dug a tunnel complex for the Navy's Okinawa Headquarters bunker in 1944.  The semi-circular tunnels hardened by posts and concrete were 450 meter in length at the time.  They served as underground headquarters to endure the American bombardment and long drawn out fighting and could sustain 4000 soldiers.  After the war, tunnels remained untouched for many years.  The remains of those who died were collected and a 300-meter portion centered on the commander's office was renovated and opened to the public in March 1970 by the Tourism Development Board.

The Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters is located where Rear Admiral Ota and his men desperately fought to the end on June 13, 1945.  You can view the commanding officer's room and the operations room as it was during the battle.  Also, the tunnels, which were constructed utilizing hoes and picks, still exist in their original condition.

 Garry and Ava in front of the  Memorial Monument

Ava and Garry looking at the view of the East China Sea and Naha Airport

More from the information pamphlet:

On June 6, 1945, Admiral Ota sent a lengthy telegram to the vice minister of the Navy reporting the battle situation and commending the self-sacrifice and cooperation displayed by the Okinawan people during the battle.  In the message he gave a detailed account of how the Okinawan people -both young and old, women and men -devoted themselves whole-heartedly in supporting the battle.  He concluded his message with the statement, "This is how the Okinawan people have fought the war, and for this reason, I ask you give the Okinawan people special consideration from this day forward."

On June 13, 1945, Admiral Ota, with many of his officers and men, died an honorable death inside the underground.  According to the intelligence section of the Sixth Marine Division, 175 bodies were found. 

It has been said that the Naval Base forces lost 4,000 men in the Battle for Oroku Peninsula.  The Sixth Marine Division casualties were 1,608 killed or wounded.  There is a display about the Sixth Marine Division located in the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters Museum. 

 Commanding Officer's Room

Staff Room

The tunnel where they made their last stand.

Some other interesting facts found in the visitors pamphlet:

The number of deaths in the battle of Okinawa:  Total deaths 200,656 people (Okinawa Non-fighting civilians 37,139 people)  (Americans 12,520 people) 

The number of shells used by Americans (Apr1-Jun 30, 1945) 2,716,691 shells.  The population on Okinawa at that time was 574,368 people giving a ratio of 4.72 shells fired per person.

The number of unexploded shell disposal in Okinawa Prefecture 1,178,869 shells.

The number of remains collected from Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters about 2,400 people. 

After we finished exploring the tunnels, we explored the grounds outside.  Garry and I really wanted to find the outside entrance to the tunnel where the Japanese Navy made their last stand but we were unsuccessful.  We think we found the area but couldn't reach it because there were no trails.  

It would be difficult to describe the day as fun considering where we were.  It was very informative and a privilege to experience this memorial and I couldn't think of a better way to honor Veteran's Day.