1. General Information
- Belligerents: United States against the Empire of Japan.
- Duration: September 15 to November 27, 1944.
- Commanders:
- United States: Major General William Rupertus initially believed the island would be secured within a few days. Command was later taken over by Major General Roy Geiger.
- Japan: Colonel Kunio Nakagawa commanded the Japanese forces, implementing a prolonged and determined defense.
- Casualties:
- United States: Over 9,800 casualties, including 1,794 killed.
- Japan: Estimated 10,695 killed, with only 202 taken prisoner.
- Victor: United States.
- Impact: The battle, initially predicted to last only a few days, extended over two months due to stiff Japanese resistance and difficult terrain. The high casualty rate and questionable strategic value led to significant debate about the necessity and planning of the assault.
2. Background or Cause of the Battle
Peleliu, part of the Palau Islands, was targeted to protect MacArthur’s right flank as he prepared for the invasion of the Philippines. The island housed an airfield that could potentially threaten Allied operations, making its capture a strategic objective.
3. Plans of Both Forces
- United States: The plan involved a direct amphibious assault by the 1st Marine Division, followed by the Army’s 81st Infantry Division, aimed at quickly capturing the airfield and then clearing the rest of the island.
- Japan: Rather than contesting the beaches, Japanese tactics focused on drawing the Allies into the island’s rugged interior. Defenders utilized a complex system of caves, bunkers, and heavily fortified positions to maximize defensive advantages and inflict heavy casualties.
4. Major Events and Their Sequence
- Initial Landings (September 15, 1944): Marines landed under heavy fire, quickly securing the airfield but encountering fierce resistance as they advanced beyond it.
- Prolonged Combat (September to November 1944): The battle degenerated into a series of bloody engagements in the island’s harsh terrain, with Japanese forces resisting from well-prepared defensive positions.
- Japanese Last Stand (Late November 1944): Colonel Nakagawa, adhering to the Japanese code of no surrender, led a final banzai charge before committing suicide, signaling near-total destruction of the island's defending forces.
- Allied Victory Declared (November 27, 1944): After more than two months of intense and grueling combat, Peleliu was declared secure, though mopping-up operations continued.
5. Major Tactics or Deception
- Allied Air and Naval Bombardment: Prior to the landings, the Allies conducted extensive bombing and shelling of the island, which they believed had significantly reduced the Japanese defensive capability.
- Japanese In-depth Defense: Japanese forces used the island’s natural and reinforced defenses to create a defense in depth, significantly prolonging their ability to resist despite being outnumbered and outgunned.
6. Causes of Victory and Defeat
- Victory (United States): Persistent and brute force, combined with superior air and naval support, eventually overcame the Japanese defenses.
- Defeat (Japan): Although the Japanese defense was tenacious and well-planned, they were ultimately unable to withstand the continued assaults and logistical support of the Allied forces.
7. Relevance of the Principles of War
This battle highlighted the principles of mass and attrition, as the Allies committed substantial forces to overcome the Japanese defenses. However, the principle of economy of force was arguably neglected, given the high cost relative to the strategic benefits.
8. Conclusion/Summary
The Battle of Peleliu is remembered for its fierce combat and heavy losses, sparking debate over the necessity of the operation given its high cost and limited strategic gains. The battle exemplified the brutal nature of the Pacific War and served as a grim precursor to subsequent battles leading up to the invasion of the Philippines and the final push towards Japan.
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