Peleliu
Encyclopedia
Palau
Palau , officially the Republic of Palau , is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and south of Tokyo. In 1978, after three decades as being part of the United Nations trusteeship, Palau chose independence instead of becoming part of the Federated States of Micronesia, a...
. Peleliu forms, along with two small islands to its northeast, one of the sixteen states of Palau. It is located northeast of Angaur
Angaur
Angaur or Ngeaur is an island in the island nation of Palau. The island, which forms its own state, has an area of 8 km² . Its population is 188 . State capital is the village of Ngeremasch on the western side...
and southwest of Koror
Koror
Koror is the state comprising the main commercial centre of the Republic of Palau. It consists of several islands, the most prominent being Koror Island ....
.
Peleliu has a total area of 5 mi² (13 km²) , its population was about 700, making it the third most populous state of Palau. Most of the island's population lives in the village of Kloulklubed
Kloulklubed
Kloulklubed is the main settlement on the Palau island of Peleliu. it is situated at the northern end of the island, close to North beach. The village was a centre of Japanese operations during World War II, and the remains of the Japanese communications centre is still standing in the village...
which is the state capital on the northern coast. Including the capital, there are a total of four villages:
- KloulklubedKloulklubedKloulklubed is the main settlement on the Palau island of Peleliu. it is situated at the northern end of the island, close to North beach. The village was a centre of Japanese operations during World War II, and the remains of the Japanese communications centre is still standing in the village...
(northwest) - Imelechol (northeast)
- Lademisang (southernmost, in the central part of the island)
- Ongeuidel (northernmost)
History
The island was the site of the Battle of PeleliuBattle of Peleliu
The Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II, was fought between the United States and the Empire of Japan in the Pacific Theater of World War II, from September–November 1944 on the island of Peleliu, present-day Palau. U.S...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Peleliu is a memorial site for both WWII U.S. and Japanese troops. Many Marine
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
s died on the beaches and in the caves of Peleliu. Many of the military installations of the era, such as the airstrip, are still intact, and shipwrecks from the battle remain visible underwater just off the coast.
The battle for the island was particularly brutal because by this time the Japanese military had evolved island defense tactics to those of "endurance (fukakku) engagements." Avoiding decisive battles which characterized earlier island campaigns and often included the dramatic banzai attack, Japanese commanders instead deployed their soldiers to caves and other dug-in positions which had to be taken one by one -- maximizing casualties on the attacking force. Peleliu's terrain proved ideal for such tactics, with areas of rock and cave formations heavily favoring the defenders.
A U.S. Navy ship USS Peleliu
USS Peleliu (LHA-5)
USS Peleliu is a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy, named after the Battle of Peleliu during World War II. Entering service in 1980, the ship has been deployed to the Persian Gulf on several occasions, performed an evacuation of U.S...
(LHA-5) is named for the vicious battle fought on the island of Peleliu. Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
once said that the most emotional show he played in WWII was for the First Marine Division at Pavuvu
Pavuvu
Pavuvu is the largest of the Russell Islands in Central Province, Solomon Islands. It is located Northwest of Guadalcanal. The area is 120 km²....
. He agreed to do the show because the Marines were about to invade Peleliu. He recalls that sixty percent of the Marines were "Knocked off in that invasion of Peleliu" (Marine casualties were closer to forty percent.)
Peleliu Battlefield
The Peleliu Battlefield is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The listed area is 7680 acres (3,108 ha), listed with reference number 85001754, in 1985.
