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Battle Of Peleliu Essay

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When people think of battles during World War II they immediately think of Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Midway, and troops storming the beach of Normandy. Rightfully so, seeing that they are some of the most significant battles of the war, but the Battle of Peleliu is just a significant. A tiny island nestled in the Palau Islands, the island of Peleliu was the site of one of the bloodiest engagements of the war. This paper will discuss the history of the battle of Peleliu using information gathered through extensive research. It will also address the intelligence available to the Allies which perhaps led to a high number of casualties and an alternate outcome that could have saved the lives of thousands.
During World War II (1939-1945), there …show more content…

According to HistoryNet (1948) Marine Corps General William H. Rupertus commanded the 1st Marine Division in the assault against Axis forces, specifically the Japanese and their commander, Colonel Kunio Nakagawa. More than 35,000 service members (27,000 Americans and 11,000 Japanese) were engaged in this significant battle of World War II. Of those troops, The United States lost more than one-third of their defense (9800), whereas more than 10,000 Japanese soldiers were killed and 200 were captured. Research by Gypton (2004) identified that the 1st Marine Division, comprised of the 1st, 5th and 7th Marine Regiment (MR), landed in their strategically placed locations on the island of Peleliu on the morning of September 15th, 1944. Troops moved onto the island in waves as they received cover fire from naval vessels and aerial strikes. The 1st MR was deployed on the west, 5th MR would maneuver through the middle, and 7th engaged from the south, with a mission to push enemy forces to the eastern part of the island. The Japanese, nestled in their respective bunkers and caves, awaited the initial fire and further instruction from their higher headquarters. The initial battle continued over the next month. Many engagements, such as the Bloody Nose Ridge, which was one of the most gruesome, lasted until October 12th when the island was declared secure by MG Geiger (Gypton,

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