The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia
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Amami Oshima (129.4843E 28.371N) boasts the finest anchorage in the Ryukyu Islands, which was protected by a heavy artillery fortress regiment. The island figured in American pre-war contingency planning. It was from here that the U.S. Navy planned to enforce a crippling blockade on Japan in the event of war. However, the Allies chose to invade Okinawa instead, with its excellent airfields.
Lamon Bay Force (transporting elements of 16 Division) was assembled here when war broke out.
Small quantities of low-grade manganese ore were extracted at the
Yamato mine.
The island itself is relatively
undeveloped even today, with
about 95% of the land area forested.
Naze is the only city of
any
significance on the island. Its coral reefs are today
considered
excellent diving sites. The island is home to the deadly habu
snake.
References
Mindat.org
(accessed 2007-4-26)
The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia © 2007, 2011 by Kent G. Budge. Index
