Kagoshima was the first urban area U.S. forces attacked during Operation: Olympic. The attack was spearheaded by a punishment brigade under the command of Captain Luther Magnusson. Prior to reaching the city, the brigade was attacked by civilians armed with black-powder muskets who popped up and took single shots before trying to disappear in the undergrowth. The effective range was only fifty yards beyond which only luck would allow a hit. However, the Americans at first hesitated to shoot, especially at women, and would try to save the wounded and take them prisoner. After a number were killed by wounded civilians allowing a soldier to come up and then killing both them and themselves with a grenade, they quickly became hardened and shot to kill.