Operation Stalemate II; The Battle of Peleliu. Three days after the Island underwent a heavy naval and air bombardment by the US Third Fleet forces, the 1st Marine Division lands on “White” and “Orange” beaches on the western side of the Island of Peleliu, a small island and one of the 16 states within the island nation of Palau.
Once ashore, the landing forces quickly realized that the pre-invasion bombardment had not been particularly effective. The cost of taking the island, was high. On Peleliu, Marine casualties were 1,336 killed and 5,450 wounded while the 81st Infantry Division suffered 1,393 casualties including 208 killed in action. On Angaur, the 81st Infantry Division had 1,676 casualties, including 196 killed in action. The Japanese lost an estimated 10,695 men, with an additional 301 taken as prisoners of war. More
