The Palau Islands had been used as an advance base for the Combined Fleet since the beginning of the war, but raid on March 30-31, 1944 forced the Japanese fleet to move their HQ to Davao on Leyte.The Palaus were invaded on September 15, 1944.The Japanese had built up strong defenses under the command of Lt. General Inone and had 6,000 combat-ready troops on the main island of Peleliu.The U.S. invasion was proceded by a heavy naval bombardment by Halsey's Central Pacific Force but left the defences largely intact.On September 15, the 1st Marine Division landed on the southwest corner of Peleliu and it took them four days to capture the airfield.The drive northward was halted by heavy Japanese artillary fire on Umurbrogol Mountain, where the Japanese had dug in.This battle became known as The Battle of Bloody Nose Ridge.The Marines took heavy casualities wearing down the Japanese resistance and finally overcame them on November 25.
Meanwhile, the 81st Infantry Division landed at Angaur and met little opposition because the Japanese commander there didn't want to commit his troops to what he thought was a diversionary landing.The island was overrun within two days, but Japanese resistance continued until October 13.
This operation was very costly for the Americans.On Peleliu alone, 1,792 Marines died and 8,011 were wounded.That represents a 40% casuality rate, one of the highest of the war.But, this operation had to succed.They Allies needed a stepping-stone for the Philippines.One the other side of the coin, the Japanese lost almost all of the troops there in the Palau Islands.So, this battle, like all the battles of the Pacific campaign, was very bloody.
