Of all of the books I have read and stories I have listened to about Okinawa in WW II, I have never heard this story.
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/2...ression of American,she never got the chance.
The world’s largest warship met an inglorious end trying to stop the American invasion on Japan’s doorstep
The Yamato never made it to Okinawa.
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/2...ression of American,she never got the chance.
The world’s largest warship met an inglorious end trying to stop the American invasion on Japan’s doorstep
The plan, known as Operation Ten-Go, required the Second Fleet to sail to Okinawa, beach itself at the Hagushi roadstead on Okinawa in front of the advancing Americans, fire their guns until all ammunition was exhausted, and then join the ground fighting.
Led by the Yahagi and surrounded by the destroyers, the Yamato headed south to Okinawa; they were expected to arrive on April 9. That their mission was suicidal was made clear by the fact that they had only enough fuel to reach Okinawa, and none to return to Japan. The ships also had no air cover for this mission.
The Yamato never made it to Okinawa.