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Landing in Hell: The Pyrrhic Victory of the First Marine Division on Peleliu, 1944
On September 15, 1944, the United States, in its effort to defeat the Japanese Empire, invaded a tiny island named Peleliu located at the southern end of the Palau Islands. The Paulas lay in the main line of the American advance eastward. The Pacific High Command saw the conquering of this chain as a necessary prelude to General Douglas MacArthur's long-awaited liberation of the Philippines.
Of all the Palaus, Peleliu, the second southernmost, was the most strategically valuable. It boasted a large flat airfield located on a relatively low plain at its southern end. If it was taken, it could be used as a major airbase from which the Americans could mount a massive bomber campaign, against the Philippines if needed, and eventually against Japanese home islands. Except for the airfield, Peleliu was a typical tropical island, covered by dense jungle and swamps, with many coconut, mango, and palm tree groves.
The main amphibious assault was to be made by the famed First Marine Division under the command of Major-General William Rupertus. He was confident that victory would be theirs in just a few days, convinced that the Japanese defending the island were relatively weak and underprepared.
They were drastically wrong. The Peleliu campaign took two and a half months of hard fighting, and a week after landing, having sustained terrific losses in fierce combat, the First Marines were withdrawn. The division would be out of action for six months, with the three rifle regiments averaging over 50% casualties - the highest unit losses in Marine Corps history.
This book analyzes in detail the many things that went wrong to make these casualties so excessive, and in doing so, corrects several earlier accounts of the campaign. It includes a detailed account of the presidential summit that determined the operation, details of how new weapons were deployed, enemy strategy and command failure in what became the most controversial amphibious operation in the landing in the Pacific during WWII.
Of all the Palaus, Peleliu, the second southernmost, was the most strategically valuable. It boasted a large flat airfield located on a relatively low plain at its southern end. If it was taken, it could be used as a major airbase from which the Americans could mount a massive bomber campaign, against the Philippines if needed, and eventually against Japanese home islands. Except for the airfield, Peleliu was a typical tropical island, covered by dense jungle and swamps, with many coconut, mango, and palm tree groves.
The main amphibious assault was to be made by the famed First Marine Division under the command of Major-General William Rupertus. He was confident that victory would be theirs in just a few days, convinced that the Japanese defending the island were relatively weak and underprepared.
They were drastically wrong. The Peleliu campaign took two and a half months of hard fighting, and a week after landing, having sustained terrific losses in fierce combat, the First Marines were withdrawn. The division would be out of action for six months, with the three rifle regiments averaging over 50% casualties - the highest unit losses in Marine Corps history.
This book analyzes in detail the many things that went wrong to make these casualties so excessive, and in doing so, corrects several earlier accounts of the campaign. It includes a detailed account of the presidential summit that determined the operation, details of how new weapons were deployed, enemy strategy and command failure in what became the most controversial amphibious operation in the landing in the Pacific during WWII.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published November 7, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 16, 2019
This is about a battle which should never have been fought. Supposedly needed to protect MacArthur's flank for the coming campaign in the Philippines, Pelelieu and Anguar were the targets of the 1st Marine Division and the 81st Infantry Division in September of 1944. The latter was captured by the 81st with relative ease; not so Pelelieu.
The author refers to the battle on Pelelieu as a 'pyrrhic victory', which is quite apt because of the horrendous casualties suffered by the 1st Marine Division, under the command of William Rupertus, who had ironically predicted an easy battle lasting only a few days. Instead, it took two months, decimated the division, and was still going on when the Allies made their successful landing on Leyte.
The first two-thirds of the book deals with the battle itself, its casualties and the mistakes made. It became so desperate that the 1st and 7th Marines had to be relieved, to the chagrin of General Rupertus, who then pushed the 5th Marines to keep up the fight so that marines would get the glory, not the 81st Infantry, which had been brought in.
The last part of the book is very interesting because it is an overview about what happened, and why the battle wasn't necessary. It is obvious that the author blames Rupertus for much that went wrong. His pig-headed insistence on doing it the 'marine way', and continual refusal to take advantage of army help as well as artillery, are just parts of the story. There are few positive aspects of this battle from the lack of sufficient pre-landing bombardments, to a lack of intelligence about Japanese gun positions, to water barrels being contaminated when men were facing heat exhaustion in 100° weather. It is a tragedy for which men paid with their lives.
The final section also deals with the Japanese. Some of them actually held out until 1947, not realizing there would be no rescue from home. Bravery was the keyword on both sides. This is a short book, but one that presents a good look at a battle that didn't need to happen.
The author refers to the battle on Pelelieu as a 'pyrrhic victory', which is quite apt because of the horrendous casualties suffered by the 1st Marine Division, under the command of William Rupertus, who had ironically predicted an easy battle lasting only a few days. Instead, it took two months, decimated the division, and was still going on when the Allies made their successful landing on Leyte.
The first two-thirds of the book deals with the battle itself, its casualties and the mistakes made. It became so desperate that the 1st and 7th Marines had to be relieved, to the chagrin of General Rupertus, who then pushed the 5th Marines to keep up the fight so that marines would get the glory, not the 81st Infantry, which had been brought in.
The last part of the book is very interesting because it is an overview about what happened, and why the battle wasn't necessary. It is obvious that the author blames Rupertus for much that went wrong. His pig-headed insistence on doing it the 'marine way', and continual refusal to take advantage of army help as well as artillery, are just parts of the story. There are few positive aspects of this battle from the lack of sufficient pre-landing bombardments, to a lack of intelligence about Japanese gun positions, to water barrels being contaminated when men were facing heat exhaustion in 100° weather. It is a tragedy for which men paid with their lives.
The final section also deals with the Japanese. Some of them actually held out until 1947, not realizing there would be no rescue from home. Bravery was the keyword on both sides. This is a short book, but one that presents a good look at a battle that didn't need to happen.
April 29, 2021
Peleliu was the bloodiest battle in the Pacific during World War II. The author concentrates on the big picture: planning, logistics, strategy, tactics, and the aftermath. The men mentioned by name are the higher ranking individuals. A fair read for those interested in planning battles.
October 6, 2019
The preface to this book said that an essay contest (of 3000 words or less) motivated the author to write an essay about the invasion of Peleliu -- but that his essay did not win the contest. Right or wrong, such a preface lowered my expectations for this book.
The book has 3 main parts: [1] the planning for the battle, [2] the marines’ initial assault of the beach and following weeks of island fighting and [3] a post-invasion analysis of what went right and what went wrong.
There were interesting aspect to the planning. The main question to be debated was: should Peleliu be invaded or should the USA’s island-hopping strategy result in simply bypassing it? Still another planning consideration was that the pending invasion of the Philippines meant potentially compromising the amount of men and material available for the invasion of Peleliu. Oddly, though, the author also spent far too many pages talking about the Marines pre-invasion stay on an island that was the exact opposite of a tropical paradise.
The assault portion was classic, well-written military history. It captured the initial carnage, confusion and bravery of the initial assault, as well as the grinding and deadly fighting for the island’s interior. Mostly told from a viewpoint of tactics than from a personal viewpoint.
The book’s post-invasion analysis seemed very complete, and so was a good summary of lessons-learned.
Unfortunately, the book’s structural breakdown meant certain information was mentioned multiple times in the book. For example, issues with the abbreviated pre-assault bombardment of enemy fortifications were covered in the 1st part (“planning”) of the book, covered again in the 2nd part (“invasion”) of the book and covered yet a third time in the 3rd part (“analysis”) of the book.
Final thoughts: A catchy title, but Peleliu was more “unnecessary slaughter” than “Pyrrhic victory”. The book didn’t try to draw the reader into the action; it was written more from an analytical rather than personal viewpoint.
The book has 3 main parts: [1] the planning for the battle, [2] the marines’ initial assault of the beach and following weeks of island fighting and [3] a post-invasion analysis of what went right and what went wrong.
There were interesting aspect to the planning. The main question to be debated was: should Peleliu be invaded or should the USA’s island-hopping strategy result in simply bypassing it? Still another planning consideration was that the pending invasion of the Philippines meant potentially compromising the amount of men and material available for the invasion of Peleliu. Oddly, though, the author also spent far too many pages talking about the Marines pre-invasion stay on an island that was the exact opposite of a tropical paradise.
The assault portion was classic, well-written military history. It captured the initial carnage, confusion and bravery of the initial assault, as well as the grinding and deadly fighting for the island’s interior. Mostly told from a viewpoint of tactics than from a personal viewpoint.
The book’s post-invasion analysis seemed very complete, and so was a good summary of lessons-learned.
Unfortunately, the book’s structural breakdown meant certain information was mentioned multiple times in the book. For example, issues with the abbreviated pre-assault bombardment of enemy fortifications were covered in the 1st part (“planning”) of the book, covered again in the 2nd part (“invasion”) of the book and covered yet a third time in the 3rd part (“analysis”) of the book.
Final thoughts: A catchy title, but Peleliu was more “unnecessary slaughter” than “Pyrrhic victory”. The book didn’t try to draw the reader into the action; it was written more from an analytical rather than personal viewpoint.
August 12, 2019
"Landing in Hell" is a history of the costly battle of Pelelieu island in the Pacific. It is a book a If imed at the professional military historian. Of this short reportage, the first 60 or so pages are taken up with invasion preparation,logistics and planning, and command structure. The next 60 pages cover the actual combat and the rest of the book on an historical analysis of the battle. There are photographs, maps, graphs and many statistics in the book, but very little of first person experiences of the combat Marine, with the exception of officers in command. As such, it lost a lot of appeal for the casual, amateur reader of military who was looking for the human story. Lists of casualties are not anywhere as compelling as the memories of a scared, hot, dirty and bloody marine who has survived hellish days.
For that I recommend Eugene Sledge's superb, moving and unforgettalbe memoir, "With the Old Guard at Pelilieu and Okinawa." Compare Mr. Sledge's personal story of the Marines running across the airfield's runway, in the open, under horrendous fire with the few word account here.
In sum- good for the professional historian/soldier, but a bit dull for the subject covered.
For that I recommend Eugene Sledge's superb, moving and unforgettalbe memoir, "With the Old Guard at Pelilieu and Okinawa." Compare Mr. Sledge's personal story of the Marines running across the airfield's runway, in the open, under horrendous fire with the few word account here.
In sum- good for the professional historian/soldier, but a bit dull for the subject covered.
February 10, 2020
Good descriptions of Peleliu island invasion planning and concurrent strategic planning for the overall progress toward Japan. Also well described was the geography of the Palaus island group, Peleliu island specifically, the naval bombardment, the landing and the battle. The rifle companies of the First Marine Division assigned to take the island suffered over 50% casualties so obviously something went wrong. The Analysis part of the book was very complete although after reading the Planning and the Invasion parts of the book, most of the analysis was slightly repetitive. It was helpful that the interservice rivalry was explained at a fundamental level of fighting style. I was left feeling disappointed and angry at the huge cost in lives and material.
April 8, 2021
A book about one of the fiercest and most unrecognized battle of WWII, the battle for Peleliu. The First Marine Division assault on the Japanese-held island which led to many casualties and speculation that the battle never needed to be fought. The battle was pretty much overlooked by many historians until recently when several books have be published about the campaign. What was advertised as a three or four day campaign ended up taking over eight weeks and decimated the First Marine Division. A reserve Army division ended up mopping up the island after the Marines were pulled out. A battle that never should have been fought, was how one Marine describe Peleliu.
November 28, 2020
Interested in this little remembered but bitterly fought battle?
The First Marine Division became famous at Guadalcanal, fought at Cape Gloucester, and then, after "rest and refit" at Pavuvu, they were thrown at a coral and cave island called Peleliu. Combined with an overconfident Commanding Officer and the logistical challenges of mounting this assault close by when the invasion of the Philippines was being readied, Peleliu would shatter the 1st Marines and the 1st MARDIV.
This book covers the entire scope of this operation. It is certainly worth reading.
The First Marine Division became famous at Guadalcanal, fought at Cape Gloucester, and then, after "rest and refit" at Pavuvu, they were thrown at a coral and cave island called Peleliu. Combined with an overconfident Commanding Officer and the logistical challenges of mounting this assault close by when the invasion of the Philippines was being readied, Peleliu would shatter the 1st Marines and the 1st MARDIV.
This book covers the entire scope of this operation. It is certainly worth reading.
July 21, 2019
Comprehensive explanation of the landing on pelilel island which often overlooked and rarely mentioned in history of wwIi
because of little media coverage and willingness of the marines and navy to hide their screwup of highest Marine casualties even compared to owl jima and okanawi.
because of little media coverage and willingness of the marines and navy to hide their screwup of highest Marine casualties even compared to owl jima and okanawi.
October 29, 2021
The hard-won VICTORY ON PELELIU...
My dad had the distinction of serving in the USMC. He and others made the landing on Peleliu. He was very proud of his service but spoke little about this epic struggle.As most Historians it is little remembered.
This book.lays out what,
when and who fought there. A great read for a true WW II history"buff".
My dad had the distinction of serving in the USMC. He and others made the landing on Peleliu. He was very proud of his service but spoke little about this epic struggle.As most Historians it is little remembered.
This book.lays out what,
when and who fought there. A great read for a true WW II history"buff".
April 14, 2023
Thoroughly researched book regarding the landings on Peleliu. Only complaint is, when dealing what happened and why tended to get a bit tedious. In his defense the author was dealing with the people's recollections as viewed thru the fog of war. And again the level of detail speaks to the thorough nature of his research.
February 10, 2020
I enjoyed this book and the historical Worldwar2 book was good .
I would recommend this book to anyone.who enjoys war novels I liked the
Pictures in the book . Awesome .
I would recommend this book to anyone.who enjoys war novels I liked the
Pictures in the book . Awesome .
May 23, 2020
An informative and well written account of the First Marine Division on Pepeliu.
November 21, 2022
A very interesting book. At some points it wallows in detail. However, his analysis of the battle is very good. I would recommend the book.
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April 13, 2019A new and detailed account of this lesser known battle. Great insight into supreme command decisions which led to this invasion.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews