Japanese island group in the Ryukyu Islands and scene of the greatest land battle of the Pacific War during World War II. American forces under General Bruckner landed on 1 April 1945 to begin a campaign lasting until 2 July. 7,613 US marines and soldiers died; about 100,000 Japanese soldiers and civilians were killed. Simultaneously, fierce naval and air battles were in progress. Japan lost the huge Yamato battleship. Kamikazes sank 36 American ships, and 4,903 American sailors died. The heavy casualties helped persuade the USA to use atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. America restored Okinawa to Japan in 1972.