bigpigeon.us webpage WWII - Japan > Central Pacific > Palau Islands, updated by RAC 18 May 2022

The Palau Islands - 15 Sep 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:

Peleliu, 15 Sep – 27 Nov ’44 (1,336 USMC dead & 208 Army dead):
III Marine Amphibious Corps (Smith)
  • 1st Marine Div., 15 Sep – 30 Oct ‘44 (Rupertus)
  • 81st Inf. Div.’s 321st RCT, 23 Sep - & 323rd RCT (15 Oct -

​Anguar, 17 Sep – 22 Oct ’44 (208-260 dead):
III Marine Amphibious Corps (Smith)
  • 81st Inf. Div.’s 321st RCT & 322th RCT (Mueller)
The Battle of Peleliu
The Battle of Peleliu
Ulithi - 23 Sep 1944

The atoll of Ulithi lies about 400 miles northeast of Palau, in the western part of the Japanese-occupied Caroline Islands. Ulithi was occupied by the 323rd Inf. Regt. of the 81th Inf. Div., 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.

Plans called for also invading Yap, to the west of Ulithi, in October. These planned were scrapped and the Yap invasion forces were used in the invasion of Leyte.
Ulithi Atoll north anchorage and Sorlen Island, late 1944
Ulithi Atoll north anchorage and Sorlen Island, late 1944
Sources for the 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 - The Palau Islands: 07-04 - Central Pacific > The Palau Islands: (five dead, updated 19 Feb 2022)
† Colwell, Carl Layne, SN 648-73-84, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Minesweeper YMS-19; KIA 24 Sep 194, off Anguar Is., near Peleliu Is.; YMS-19 sunk by mine; nine dead, 27 survivors; Central Pacific > Palau Islands; BNR.​
​† 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.; Battle of Anguar - Central Pacific > Palau Islands.
† Kranz, Fred Roger, SN 905601, USMC, Becker Co., MN & Cook Co., IL
  • Co. C, 1st Marine Regt., 1st Marine Div; KIA 17 Sep 1944 Peleliu Is.; Battle of Peleliu - Central Pacific > Palau Islands.
† Smith, Edgar Clifton, SN 831389, USMC, Cass Co.
  • Co. L, 7th Marine Regt., 1st Marine Div.; KIA 20 Sep 1944; Battle of Peleliu - Central Pacific > Palau Islands.
† 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; Central Pacific > Palau Is.