The assault on Bloody Nose Ridge

16th September 1944:The Marines at Peleliu must attack across open ground - all the time watched by Japanese observers high above them

"Empty shell cases during lull in Peleliu bombardment.

"Peleliu airstrip and burning amphtracs.”

It was suddenly clear that the landings on Peleliu were not going to be over within four days. Despite the blasting that the entire island had received prior to the landings on the 15th most of the Japanese defenders had survived in their bunkers.

I clenched my teeth, squeezed my carbine stock, and recited over and over to myself, "The Lord is my shepherd…

A view of the rear entrance of a camouflaged Japanese concrete antitank position. Note that the bunker was not scathed by the prelanding bombardment.

US Marines wait for the signal to attack the Japanese airfield; Island of Peleliu, South Pacific Ocean, 16 September, 1944.