Okinawa, Typhoon of Steel by John Steven Dews

John Steven Dews
b. 1949 | British

Okinawa, Typhoon of Steel, 1st April 1945

Signed “J. Steven Dews” (lower right)
Oil on canvas

This powerful canvas by John Steven Dews captures the opening day of the Battle of Okinawa on April 1, 1945—the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific and the final major campaign of World War II. Known as “Operation Iceberg,” and grimly nicknamed the “Typhoon of Steel,” the invasion involved an unprecedented concentration of Allied naval power supporting the landing of American forces on the island. Dews presents the moment at a monumental scale and with uncompromising clarity, conveying both the immensity of the operation and its historic consequence.

Operation Iceberg involved around 1300 US naval ships supporting an astonishing 50,000 US troops. Here, Dews depicts the battleship USS Tennessee, unleashing her main battery at minimum elevation, her 14-inch guns hammering the western shores of Okinawa as part of the preparatory bombardment. In the foreground, the destroyer USS Cassin Young maneuvers through a dense armada of amphibious vessels, pressing closer to shore to deliver precise fire from her 5-inch guns. Above, aircraft cut through the sky, while distant ships stretch to the horizon, emphasizing the overwhelming naval presence that defined the first day of the landings. The restless sea, roiling smoke and flashes of gunfire heighten the drama of this critical moment in the war.

Dews’ attention to historical accuracy is evident throughout. Although the initial landings met surprisingly little resistance—owing to the Japanese decision to withdraw into fortified inland positions—the artist subtly foreshadows the brutal campaign to come. The later kamikaze attacks, the punishing terrain and the heavy losses on all sides are implicit in the ominous atmosphere he creates. Dews underscores the decisive role of sea power in the Pacific, capturing the devastating catalyst for the US's decision to use the ultimate weapon to end the war.

John Steven Dews has secured his position as arguably the most important maritime artist of the 20th century through his unmatched ability to combine historical precision with artistic brilliance. Born in Yorkshire in 1949, Dews developed his passion for maritime subjects early, creating his first exhibition works while only seventeen. His technical mastery stems from his experience as a competitive yachtsman, providing him with intimate knowledge of how vessels move through water under various conditions. This expertise allows him to render sailing vessels with an authenticity that distinguishes his work from contemporaries. Dews conducts exhaustive research for each historical painting, consulting ship plans, battle accounts and meteorological records to achieve unprecedented accuracy. His works command record prices at auction and are held in prestigious collections worldwide, including the Royal Navy Museum and private holdings of members of the British Royal Family.

Canvas: 39 1/2" high x 59 1/2" wide (100.33 x 151.13 cm)
Frame: 45 3/4" high x 65 5/8" wide x 2 3/4" deep (116.21 x 166.69 x 6.99 cm)