Battle of Peleliu begins, September 15, 1944
The battle is crucial to the recapture of the Philippines and the drive toward Japan’s home islands because of Peleliu’s airstrip, capable of launching long-range bombers. The American commander predicts a quick and easy battle. But the Japanese commander engages in a protracted defensive battle to wear down the Americans. To the soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army, surrender is a form of dishonor. The island is just six miles long and two miles wide, but the battle that was supposed to last just four days will take twelve weeks. Forty percent of the 28,000 American troops involved were killed or wounded.