A highly-illustrated examination of the controversial battle for Peleliu.
Equalling Tarawa, Iwo Jima and Okinawa in scale and ferocity, Peleliu has long been regarded as the Pacific War's "forgotten battle", and perhaps one that should never have been fought. A massive carrier-based attack some weeks before the invasion destroyed all aircraft and shipping in the area and virtually isolated the Japanese garrison. 1st Marine Division commander, General Rupertus, made extravagant claims that the capture of Peleliu would "only take three days - maybe two." But the Japanese fought a bloody battle of attrition from prepared positions and, in a struggle of unprecedented savagery, a whole Marine Division was bled white.

Jim Moran has written extensively on the uniforms, equipment and history of the United States Marine Corps. He is an enthusiastic collector of Marine Corps memorabilia and an honorary life member of the 2d Marine Division Association. When he is not accompanying USMC veterans on trips to the Pacific battlefields of World War II, Jim lives with his family in South Yorkshire.

Background to the Campaign
Chronology
The Opposing Commanders
Opposing Forces
Opposing Plans
The Campaign
Aftermath
The Battlefield today
Further Reading
Index