|
In September of 1944, the "Island Hopping" campaign continued on in to the chain of islands
known as Palau. The American forces led by the Marines attacked both Pelelui and Anguar on
the way towards the liberation of the Philippines. Pelelui was supposed to be a quick victory
for the Americans as they landed on the tiny isalnd on September 14th. Strong dug-in Japanese
forces gave the Americans all they could handle as they would die almost to the final man. In
the end, the Americans would clear the islands of all Japanese personnel as over 10,000 Jap
soldiers would lose their lives in the impossible task of defending the islands. Pelelui and Anguar
are just two more islands that the Americans had to take in order to help liberate the people
of the Philippines. Even a small convoy of 13 naval boats and barges could not stop the Americans
as Japanese tried to reinforce their troops. Thanks to both the 81st Infantry Division and the
1st Marine Division, victory was won in both Pelelui and Anguar.
|
