Temperatures on Peleliu rose as high as 115 degrees, and drinking water was scarce during the initial combat. According to one observer, by the morning 16 th September, the Marines were “mean and thirsty.” That day, the 5th and 7th Marines advanced relentlessly the 1st Marines more slowly, encountering fierce resistance from the northern ridges they were assigned to take. Water was in short supply as there were no natural sources the Marines could tap. The Marines fought throughout the night, well dug in their foxholes. The cruiser Honolulu and three destroyers provided star shell illumination to help the Marines turn the infiltrators back, but the rest of the fleet withdrew to avoid enemy submarines. The first night ashore was grueling small infiltration parties hit the Marine lines repeatedly. The enemy fought tenaciously to prevent the Marines from securing a beachhead. troops came ashore, they faced enfilading fire from these bunkers and from the high ground above the beaches.
WWII BATTLE GROUP SERIES
The Japanese took advantage of the rugged, ridged terrain around Umurbrogol Mountain (unreported by American reconnaissance units) to construct a series of interlocking underground shelters and well-concealed concrete bunkers. Three days of naval gunfire preceded the Marines’ landing, but it proved inadequate against the type of Japanese defenses created on the island. Navy demonstrated the value of sea power by blocking the Japanese access to sea lanes that would have enabled them to reinforce and resupply their men on Peleliu. The 7th Marines on the right were to assault Orange Beach 3 and move to take the southern tip of the island. They would be responsible for securing the island’s airfield before moving to seize the northeastern part of the island. In the center, the 5th Marines were to land on Orange Beaches 1 and 2 and drive across to the island’s eastern shore. The 1st Marines were to assault the beaches on the left, which were designated White 1 and White 2, and push through the enemy toward the northwestern peninsula of the island. On that day, the 1st Marine Division planned to land on the western beaches of Peleliu three regiments abreast. D-Dayĭ-Day on Peleliu was set for 15 September 1944. Mueller, USA, commanded the 81st Infantry Division. Hanneken and 11th Marines commander Col William H. Harris, 7th Marines commander Col Herman H. “Chesty” Puller, 5th Marines commander Col Harold D. Under his command were 1st Marines commander Col Lewis B. Rupertus, USMC, commanded the 1st Marine Division. Geiger, USMC, commanded the III Amphibious Corps, comprised of ground troops from the 1st Marine Division (Peleliu) and the Army’s 81st Infantry Division (Angaur). Wilkinson, USN, commanded the Third Amphibious Force. commanders of the campaign were assigned as follows: Peleliu would be the primary target of the operation, which was code-named Stalemate II. Nimitz, USN, issued the first planning orders for the assault on the Palau Islands of Peleliu and Angaur.
On, the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet/Pacific Ocean Areas, Admiral Chester W. While it is still debated whether the capture of the Palaus was necessary to protect Gen MacArthur’s flank, the battle of Peleliu was one of the toughest to be fought during the entire Pacific war. The Palau Islands were stepping stones in Army General Douglas MacArthur’s plan to invade the Philippines. The fall of Japan’s first line of defense in New Guinea, the Marshalls and the Marianas allowed the Allies to move on to strongholds in Japan’s second defensive line.
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