The Final Storm - Jeff Shaara [93]
Buckner seemed energized by his demonstration of political savvy, and Nimitz was stunned. He had no time to give Buckner a history lesson, knew that the Japanese had occupied Okinawa at their own convenience, without any friendly invitation from the Okinawan people or their civil government. But Buckner’s concerns for the future of any political arrangements anywhere in the Pacific were far beyond any planning that should be going on in his own headquarters.
“General, I appreciate the gravity of thought you have given this matter, but your priorities seem to be a little out of sequence. Okinawans are dying in large numbers, many of them by the hands of the Japanese, and many from the impact of our own weaponry. Before we start inviting them to dinner, or welcoming them to the family, perhaps we should liberate them from the enemy.” He saw Buckner absorbing his words as though it were an entirely new concept. “The point, General, is that before any other grand global strategies can be put into place, we must do what we can to secure this island, and hopefully, do so without extinguishing these people in the process. The longer we take, the more they will suffer, plain and simple. And for that matter, I’d rather not absorb any more of our own casualties than we have to.”
Buckner didn’t respond, and Nimitz knew this conversation needed to return to the point.
“It’s good that you’ve found the enemy’s primary position, and apparently we now understand his strategy. So, how do you plan to drive through his defenses? It seems that frontal assaults against a well-fortified enemy are … costly.”
Vandegrift shook his head, said, “End run. Amphibious assault. The Second Marine Division is waiting on Saipan and can be mobilized within a couple of days. That’s a strong, well-rested force that can come ashore in the south and set up behind the Jap positions you’re facing now. Even without any element of surprise, our aircraft and naval guns will keep them in their holes. Once we’re ashore on two sides of them, the enemy will be in an untenable situation. They’ll have to surrender, or do one of those blaze of glory things. Either way, our casualty counts will be minimized.”
Buckner sniffed.
“As I said, sir, we have things under control. I would prefer that the Second Marines be kept in readiness for another amphibious operation closer to mainland Japan. Admiral, you are familiar with the long-range planning. Does it not make sense to have a well-rested unit prepared to drive even closer to the enemy’s homeland?” He didn’t wait for a response. “With the artillery and armor we have on the ground, it is only a matter of time before we blow through the Japanese defenses. With all due respect, General, we long ago reconnoitered those landing zones, and Admiral Nimitz is very aware that it was our conclusion that those beaches are not defensible. The cost in lives could be catastrophic, and I will not participate in another fiasco like Anzio! You must certainly agree that we don’t want to see the Marines taking any more casualties than necessary. General, you should be pleased that Geiger’s success in the north came so easily.”
Nimitz saw Vandegrift straighten in the chair, as though inflating, the blast inevitable. Nimitz waited for it, saw Vandegrift red-faced, forcing himself into composure.
“I have been in communication with General Geiger, and I know personally that the general will happily escort you through the battlegrounds on the Motobu Peninsula. I am confident that you will see that efforts made by my people were made against a scattered, well-armed enemy, who took what we gave them exactly as they had planned.”
Buckner seemed not to care how hot Vandegrift might be.
“Yes, yes, General, with all due respect, I am well aware of the enemy’s actions on Motobu. I admit that at first, we did not understand what the enemy was doing, why they were offering your Marines