Shuri Castle

[Peter H]

The historic site destroyed in the fighting on Okinawa in 1945.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuri_Castle

According to records, Shuri Castle burned several times, and was reconstructed each time. Before the war, it was designated a National Treasure, but during the war, the Japanese military set up its headquarters underground at the castle, and beginning on May 25, 1945, the American battleship Mississippi shelled it for three days. On May 27 it burned. After the battle a Confederate Battle Flag was hoisted above the castle by the Marine self entitled "Rebel Company" (Company A of the 5th Marine Regiment). It was visible for over two miles and stayed above the castle for three days until being removed by General Simon B. Buckner, Jr.(son of Confederate General) Simon Bolivar Buckner, Sr. saying Americans from all parts of America helped win the battle.

Photo from Pacific Legacy Rex Smith & Gerald Meehil.
Marines shelter behind a remnant of the castle's walls.

[Peter H]

"The Fall of Shuri"
http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/ ... pter15.htm

SHURI, photographed 28 April (above) and 23 May 1945 (below). Ruins shown in lower picture iclude Methodist Church and a 2-story concrete structure (circle A). Dotted outline in photos indicates the castle wall

[Peter H]

From wikipedia.

Must be a replacement for the Rebel flag raised

US Flag raised over Shuri castle on Okinawa. Braving Japanese sniper fire, US Marine Lieutenant Colonel R.P. Ross, Jr. places on American flag on a parapet of Shuri castle on May 29, 1945. The castle is a former enemy stronghold in southern Okinawa in the Ryukyu (Loochoo chain), situated 375 miles from Japan.

[Peter H]

The complex before the war.

From: http://blog.ifeng.com/article/1603588.html

[Peter H]

From: http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~de3m-ozw/ry ... etsu00.htm

Old plan

[Peter H]

From: http://kenzenichii.org/history.html

Karate demonstration 1938

[Peter H]

Bridge of Nations Bell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Nations_Bell

Blackened and damaged by Allied bombs and guns in during the 1945 battle of Okinawa, the bell miraculously survived largely intact.It is, however, no longer rung

From: http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-O ... wa-15.html

[Peter H]

Shuri Castle position from Okinawa:Touchstone to Victory ,Benis Frank,1969.

[Peter H]

From ebay,seller tiqu

Shuri Castle carnage

[Peter H]

From ebay,seller bsbbooksjrp

"US Marines with M1 Garand rifles move in on a Japanese sniper held up in Shuri Castle on Okinawa, 1945."

[Dan W.]