[JCBreckenridge]

Naval engagement was necessary in order to establish the attack on Okinawa. Because of it, it made bomber attacks on the Home Islands possible. There was no way they could get around that engagement.

[xone]

No one is contending that our navy wouldn't be engaged, against the IJN the US Navy kicked their ass, the wild card was the massive use of kamikazes by the Japs.

Strategic bomber attacks began in October of 1944 from the Marianas.