The Pacific is not my strong area I have just finished reading about Peleliu, from the Osprey Publishing part of there Campaign Series. It struck me why did the Americans land on this Island as said in the book, a massive carrier-based attacked some weeks before the invasion had destroyed, all aircraft and shipping in the area and virtually isolated the Island. This would seem to suggest that the area was under control, and they could have kept the Japanese garrison, bottled up to the end of the war. [ 23. January 2006, 06:23 PM: Message edited by: Richard42 ]
My great uncle served on Pelelieu as well as Guadalcanal and New Britain. He said Pelelieu made Guadalcanal look like a picnic.
I was just talking with a man at work about his father who served in the US Marines on Pelelieu. He said the worst thing was after the fighting they bypassed the island anyway.
Peleliu was a forgotten battle that should never have been fought. But I am glad that I read up on this one, a shame it was over shadowed by more famous ones.
most agree that peleliu wasn't an essential operation. The whole reason for taking the island wasn't very clear to begin with. This was also a transitioning point in how the japanese would fight. No longer would they charge. No longer would they make beach line defenses. They would now make complex, in-depth defensive positions. They would have a cave bunker, covered by another cave, and that cave would be covered by yet another cave. Their caves even had air conditioning and electricity. They had 4 years to prepare. American senior staff members were making predictions and judgements and basing their plans and strategies on how the japs normally fought. The battle was supposed to take like 6 days or something like that. 71 days later the island was declared secure. It is an interesting battle. if you are interested in it i'd reccommend a book called "With The Old Breed" or "Brotherhood of Heroes". They both describe the battle in depth and vividly.
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Approach/index.html http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-M-Peleliu/index.html
Excellent resources Mr. Ali There is a documentary about it on the History channel now, tune in and you wont be disappointed.
With the Old Breed is a fantastic book...I've not yet read Brotherhood of Heros, but I do own it. I worked with a man a few summers ago who as a Marine veteran. He still didn't like Japanese folks. Everytime a tour bus would come up, he'd have to go take a break or go get some stock, and he finally explained why. He had a couple of Purple Hearts and Silver Stars....and told me a man can only have so much of his friends blood splattered on him before he holds a grudge that won't go away.
You might be interested in this more recent thread on the subject. http://www.ww2f.com/war-pacific/23364-bloody-peleliu-unavoidable-yet-unnecessary.html
