U.S. Navy Department (April 8, 1945)
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 326
On the afternoon of April 7 (East Longitude Date), the XXIV Army Corps drove into heavily defended terrain in the southern sector of Okinawa and captured the villages of Uchitomari and Kaniku. The enemy resisted stubbornly from numerous pillboxes and blockhouses which are emplaced to take full advantage of the broken terrain. In the north, Marines of the III Amphibious Corps continued to move northward rapidly against negligible opposition. Four enemy aircraft appeared in the Okinawa area on April 7 and all were shot down.
On the following day, XXIV Corps troops made small gains against heavy opposition in the south. By 1800 of that date the front line on their right had moved forward about 200 yards and on the left about 400 yards. Heavy artillery was used by the enemy throughout the night and day. Our troops are being supported by ships’ gunfire, carrier aircraft and field artillery. In the northern sector of the island on April 8, Marines of the III Amphibious Corps had moved 3,000 to 4,800 yards westward along Motobu peninsula by nightfall.
Fighters of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing have begun to use the captured airfields on Okinawa. MajGen F. P. Mulcahy, USMC, is present in command of the tactical air forces on shore at Okinawa. Nine enemy aircraft were destroyed on April 8 by various forces.
By the end of April 7, 30,000 civilians were under care of the U.S. Military Government on Okinawa. Native housing is being utilized fully.
Carrier aircraft attacked shipping and installations in the area of the Amami group on April 8. A small cargo ship was set afire and a lugger destroyed.