(5/5) Pacific Lost Evidence Peleliu Episode 5 World War II

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Japan seized the Palau Islands, along with the rest of Micronesia, from Germany in World War I. Receiving a mandate from the League of Nations after the war, Japan established its administrative headquarters for Micronesia at Koror, the capital of the Republic of Palau today. On Peleliu Island, thirty miles south of Koror, a phosphate crushing plant was established and, by World War II, an excellent airfield had been constructed. When war came, the Palaus served as a staging area and replacement depot for Japan's forces in the Netherlands, East Indies, and New Guinea.
The battle for Peleliu Island, the Gateway to the Philippines, was the longest and one of the most hard-fought battles in the entire Central Pacific amphibious operations of World War II. In contrast to earlier combats where the Japanese had vainly attempted to annihilate the enemy on the beaches, Peleliu's defenses were organized with the main line of resistance established inland, artillery and mortar fire registered on the beaches, and defenses skillfully arranged in depth in order to sustain resistance to an attack while destroying the enemy. Although the crack Japanese troops lost the battle, their new tactics enabled them to inflict heavy losses on American Marine and Army forces and to hold out for 74 days. While some strategists have argued that the capture of Peleliu was not a necessary preliminary for the coming struggle in the Philippines, brave men bled and died in the Palaus for their beliefs and their loyalties. Peleliu marked the conclusion of the Central Pacific drive toward the Philippines. A new phase of the Pacific War was already underway.

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[amine0974]

I don't get it !!!

why the US army did not use gaz ? or blockade the jap until they die of thirst and hunger ?

[2bn442RCT]

Thats a good question and theres no easy answer. Politically FDR, Leahy Marshall and a host of other commanders opposed using gas on several grounds. It might sound odd but both objected the use based on moral grounds. They also feared retaliation from Japan in China and Germany might have started using gas on both fronts. With all the nasty weapons available many commanders still viewed gas as too evil. lol. Why don't you research it and get back to me! Thanks

[2bn442RCT]

Aircraft Carriers cant do everything. Certain Islands with landing strips needed to be taken and secured for further drives towards Japan. The logistical necessity of closely supporting the US forces demanded it. Many areas like Rabaul and other areas where bypassed

[uncleRayray00]

@2bn442RCT

In hindsight, its kinda obvious what should have happened. Peleliu should have been bypassed since the Marianas operation, closer to the Japanese homeland, we being fought for at this time. If they wanted Peleliu so bad, I should have captured the North island airstrip first, then assault from the south of the main island with a lotta close air support. I woulda stopped at the hills and starved the enemy, using the north river as a barrier between the hillsand the rest of the island.

[2bn442RCT]

@uncleRayray00 Yes in hindsight I agree.

[mrgoodvibrations]

Japs were brave, berserkers.

[fenni70]

@virreee94

You just don't understand how the Japanese where back then. It was a too big disgrace losing a battle so killing themself was the only way to restore their honour. The Americans knews this very well and sometimes gave them the chance to do so. A way of showing the respect to the enemy.

[Skandalos]

@Marzaq87 you know, Im a German, and although as a collective the Germans were the bad guys in this war, there were of course some great commanders in the German military. Even today I can see how the German people as a collective still suffers from the same weakness as back in these days. It often really sickens me. Like many other peoples in the world we Germans lack the balls to value freedom, self-responsibility, and democracy. We WANT to be subordinates, we WANT to remain children.

[Marzaq87]

@Skandalos you should try to study more from the japanese side of the story then =) many officers were wise military commanders and you get a better picture of the whole when you read from the perspective of both sides :)

[TheIcelandicPatriot]

@amine0974 The boming on those two cities were nothing less then war crimes. Both sides commited it but the one who wins does not face trial. Atleast they fought honorably through out most of the war.

[amine0974]

@TheIcelandicPatriot

Lets suppose that your logic is true !! what about Hiroshima and Nagasaki ? what about the usage of planes and rockets against an enemy that does not have planes and rockets ?

[TheIcelandicPatriot]

@amine0974 There is no honor in such ways.There is only one way for a soldier to die and thats to die on the face of the battlefield facing the enemy head on.Thats what the japanese did, thats what the US did.

Thats what we all have done.

[Skandalos]

"it is easy to die but difficult to live on"

the first time I hear wise words by a WW2 Japonese.

[northwi60]

I find the GI giving the Japanese soldier a grenade darkly humourous but also touching, prehaps the GI recognized a trait that he and his enemy shared, the nobility of the human spirit to rise above the deprivations of war under which they both suffered.

[JFDA5458]

@virreee94 I agree. What soldier gives his enemy a weapon? Wounded or not