How quickly did U.S. forces capture northern Okinawa?

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U.S. Marines on Okinawa — Battle of Okinawa U.S. Marines battling for control of a ridge near Naha, Okinawa, May 1945.

U.S. ground forces encountered relatively light opposition while securing the northern part of Okinawa, successfully capturing that region within approximately two weeks of the initial landings on April 1, 1945.1

In contrast, the main Japanese defensive forces were concentrated in the southern half of the island, where they offered bitter and tenacious resistance from well-entrenched positions. This southern campaign proved significantly more costly and time-consuming, lasting until major combat operations officially ended on June 21, 1945.12