After the Allies had defeated the Japanese in the Solomons and the Dutch
East Indies, the capture of the Philippines became General MacArthur's
next objective. For this offensive to succeed, MacArthur felt compelled
to secure his eastern flank by seizing control of the Palau Islands, one
of which was Peleliu. The task of capturing this island, and the enemy
airfield on it, was initially handed to Admiral Nimitz.
The Palau Islands, however, formed part of Japan's second defensive
line, and Peleliu's garrison amounted to more than 10,000 men.
Consequently, when the US preliminary bombardment began on 12 September
1944, it was devastating. For two days the island was pounded
relentlessly. Such was the scale of the destruction that the commander
of the 1st Marine Division, Major General William H. Rupertus, told his
men: 'We're going to have some casualties, but let me assure you this is
going to be a fast one, rough but fast. We'll be through in three days -
it may only take two.'
At 08.32 hours on 15 September 1944, the Marines went ashore. Despite
bitter fighting, and a ferocious Japanese defence, by the end of the day
the Marines had a firm hold on Peleliu. But rather than Japanese
resistance crumbling during the following days as had been expected, it
stiffened, as they withdrew to their prepared defensive positions. The
woods, swamps, caves and mountains inland had been turned into a
veritable fortress - it was there where the real battle for possession
of Peleliu was fought.
Day after day the Americans battled forward, gradually wresting control
of Peleliu from the Japanese. Despite Major General Rupertus'
prediction, it was not until 27 November, after two months, one week and
five days of appalling fighting, and a final, futile last sacrificial
charge by the remaining enemy troops, that the Battle of Peleliu came to
an end.
