Battle of Peleliu, US LCVP landing craft moving towards the island. Pacific Theater of Operations, World War II.
The Battle of Peleliu (codename English: Operation Stalemate II, Russian: Operation Pat II) was a battle in the Pacific during World War II between the United States and the Empire of Japan. The capture of Peleliu allowed American troops to close the gap between the forces of the southwestern and central parts of the Pacific Ocean and begin preparations for landing in the Philippines and Okinawa. At the same time, the capture of the airfield on the island made it possible to protect American communications in the event of a landing in the Philippines and remove the threat over the direct communications of the American army. The assessment of military experts showed that the capture of the islands of Peleliu and Angaur would ensure complete dominance over the Palau islands.
Major General Rupertus, leader of the Battle of Peleliu, expected to take the island in a few days, but his expectations were not met. The Americans stumbled upon a powerful line of defense and fierce resistance from the Japanese army, as a result of which the fighting lasted more than two months. During the operation, which ended in victory for the United States, the Americans destroyed 10,695 enemy soldiers and officers and captured about three hundred people. At the same time, their own losses amounted to over 6 thousand wounded and killed, thus making the Battle of Peleliu one of the bloodiest US military operations during the battles in the Pacific theater of World War II.
Location: Pacific Ocean
Shooting time: September-October 1944