The Marines at Peleliu

15th September 1944: A vivid description of the murderous run into the beach by Amtrac - as the US Marines begin one of their most difficult operations

Pacific Fleet landing craft launch a rocket attack against the beaches prior to landings by First Marine Division, 15 September 1944

Smoke and dust rises from the Peleliu shore, during the final stages of the pre-invasion bombardment, 15 September 1944. Photographed form an LCI gunboat, whose bow 40mm gun is visible in the foreground. Note waves breaking on the offshore reef

Amphibious LVTs (Landing Vehicle, Tracked) cruising towards Peleliu. ‘Amphtrac wave follows rocket barrage.’

The progress of the US forces across the Pacific towards Japan continued. One more island needed to be taken to protect the flank before an assault on the Philippines¹. The Palau islands would also provide another airfield in the region.

The 11,000 Japanese troops on Peleliu had been busy. Japanese military strategists now favoured developing a defence in depth as they realised they would now be on the defensive. A network of concealed bunkers had been built across the island. Overlooking the beaches a series of bunkers protected with steel shutters hid 20mm guns.

We were in motion with thousands of tons of armed might at our backs; and it seemed that nothing could stop us.

The three day preliminary bombardment by US Navy ships offshore and aircraft hit the 6 square mile island with 519 rounds of 16-inch (410 mm) shells, 1,845 rounds of 14-inch (360 mm) shells, and 1,793 500 lb (230 kg) bombs. The US Navy believed they had run out of targets. On 15th September the 1st Marine Division went in for what was expected to be a four-day operation. It was going to be ‘very tough but very short’.

First division marines head for the beach, as their LVTs churn past the offshore line of LCI gunboats, 15 September 1944. Note gunner saluting from the LVT (2) in the foreground. An IDAHO class battleship is bombarding in the left distance.