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bigpigeon.us webpage WWII Japan > Central Pacific > Palau Islands, © 2025 by Robert A. Christiansen, updated by RAC 2 Jun 2025
​
The Palau Islands, 15 September–27 November 1944
The Palau Islands lie east of the Philippines island of Mindinao. United States forces invaded the two southern Palau Islands:
  • 15 Sep: The 1st Marine Division landed on Peleliu, a small volcanic island. Marine deaths were greater than earlier losses on Guadalcanal and Tarawa and foreshadowed the even higher losses a half year later on another volcanic island, Iwo Jima.
  • 17 Sep - 22 Oct 1944: Elements of the 81st Infantry Division captured the island of Angaur, losing 260 dead.

At the end of October, Peleliu operations were turned over to the 81st Infantry Division and the 1st Marine Division left to prepare for the coming Battle of Okinawa.
The Nation of Palau
The Nation of Palau in the West Central Pacific Containing Peleliu and Anguar Islands
Palau Islands, 1944 Order of Battle:
III Marine Amphibious Corps (Smith)
Peleliu, 15 Sep–27 Nov ’44 (1,336 Marine Corps & 208 Army dead)
  • 1st Marine Div., 15 Sep–30 Oct (Rupertus)
  • 81st Inf. Div.’s 321st RCT, 23 Sep– and 323rd RCT, 15 Oct–
​Anguar, 17 Sep–22 Oct (208-260 Army dead):
  • 81st Inf. Div.’s 321st RCT & 322th RCT (Mueller)
The Battle of Peleliu
The Battle of Peleliu
Ulithi - 23 September 1944
Ulithi Atoll lies about 400 miles northeast of Palau, in the western part of the Japanese-occupied Caroline Islands. Ulithi was occupied by the 323rd Infantry Regiment of the 81st Infantry Division, a regiment later set to Peleliu. At the time, Ulithi was defended by about five Japanese troops.  

Ulithi had little land area but provided a large deep-water anchorage. Ulithi became the main forward operating base for the Pacific Fleet.

Ulithi is also about 400 miles southwest of Guam. Ulithi's  position was well-suited both to support the 1944-45 Philippines campaign to the west and the 1945 Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns to the north.
Ulithi Atoll north anchorage and Sorlen Island, late 1944
Ulithi Atoll north anchorage and Sorlen Island, late 1944
Plans called for also invading Yap, to the west of Ulithi, in October 1944. These planned were scrapped and the Yap invasion forces were used in the invasion of Leyte.
Sources for Big Pigeon's WWII Japan > Central Pacific > Palau Islands webpage:
  • The Battle of Peleliu map is copied from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Peleliu. 
  • Ulithi Atoll North Anchorage photo courtesty of ​https://www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-ii/hidden-ulithi-naval-base.html.

​Pottawattamie Area WWII Dead - WWII Japan > Central Pacific > Palau Islands:07-04 - WWII Japan > Central Pacific > Palau Islands: (six dead, updated 2 Jun 2025)
† Colwell, Carl Layne, SN 648-73-84, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Minesweeper YMS-19; KIA 24 Sep 1944, off Anguar Is., near Peleliu Is.; YMS-19 sunk by mine; nine dead, 27 survivors; BNR
  • WWII Japan > Central Pacific > Palau Islands​
​† Keltner, David Reinhart, SN 37-126-193, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Hq. Co., 1st Bn., 322nd Inf. Reg., 81st Inf. Div.; KIA 13 Oct 1944 Anguar Is., near Peleliu Is.; 
  • WWII Japan > Central Pacific > Palau Islands @ Battle of Anguar
† Kranz, Fred Roger, SN 905,601, US Marine Corps, Cook Co., IL & Pott. Co.
  • Co. C, 1st Marine Regt., 1st Marine Div; KIA 17 Sep 1944 Peleliu Is.
  • WWII Japan > Central Pacific > Palau Islands @ Battle of Peleliu
† Smith, Edgar Clifton, SN 831389, US Marine Corps, Cass Co.
  • Co. L, 7th Marine Regt., 1st Marine Div.; KIA 20 Sep 1944.
  • WWII Japan > Central Pacific > Palau Islands @ Battle of Peleliu
† Swift, Lelean C., SN 871-97-37, US Navy, Montgomery Co.
  • Auxiliary Motor Minesweeper YMS-385; assigned to Mine Squadron 1; KIA 1 Oct 1944 Ulithi Atoll, western Caroline Is.; YMS-385 hit a Japanese mine and exploded while sweeping Zowariau Channel; ten dead;
  • WWII Japan > Central Pacific > Palau Islands
​† Winkel, Robert Leroy, SN 912315, US Marine Corps, Audubon Co. (WWII-WinkelRobert)
  • Hq. & Service Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regt., 1st Marine Division; KIA 16 Sep 1944 Peleliu Is., Palau Is.
  • WWII Japan > Central Pacific > Palau Islands @ Battle of Peleliu