The men who gave their lives to attack and defend this island would certainly be appreciative of the deep respect and sincerity how battle is being covered. Excellent work.
I’ve been waiting for this episode. My uncle was a Marine at Peliliu and was the driver for Company A of the 1st Battalion of the First Marine Division. From studying the order of battle I have determined that his company was attached to Puller’s 1st Matine Regiment (“1st Marines” in USMC parlance). It was his first combat (he would later also serve in Okinawa) and he said very litttle about the experience. From his “My Life in the United States Marines 1943-46” he said: “they needed a driver at A Company of the medical battalion. So I went over there. The unit was made up of enlisted pharmacist’s mates and the officers were all doctors. So I became the company jeep driver of A Company, 1st Medical Battalion. For the rest of my stay in the Marine Corps, that was my assignment. I drove the company commander, a Navy doctor, or any of the other doctors who had some place to go.” Peleliu “I went into Peleliu on the third wave of the 1st. day. We were sent in on LSTs, LCPs, and LCIs. Not sure why I went in that wave but a bunch of doctors did go in at that point to set up an aid station. There wasn’t really much place to go since Peleliu is only about three miles by five miles. I went out to pick up casualties on foot carrying a stretcher along with a couple of other guys and then carried the casualties back to the aid station. That was my main duty there. I didn’t do any infantry duty there although later in Okinawa everybody was put into the line if it was needed because all Marines are trained as riflemen.” “We lost about 1200 dead and 4000 wounded on Peleliu. We ran into big trouble. There was a ridge line on the north end of the island and it was heavily fortified. The Japanese had caves and the like that overlooked the airfield. We were on Peleliu because MacArthur was planning the invasion of the Philippines and his intelligence reported that the airfield was a danger to that campaign. But there were no planes left when we landed. The airfield had been thoroughly worked over by the Navy and the only planes on the island were wrecked planes. Admiral Halsey said there was no reason to send the Marines in there and that the island could be bypassed but he was overruled.” “So, because Macarthur had bad intelligence we lost 1200 killed and 4000 wounded in the 1st. Marine Division. We were relieved after three weeks.” “All but one of the regiments was relieved at that point.” As you can see, he was no fan of MacArthur. The only other thing that I know he said was that he told his son (my cousin) that the first thing he saw when he departed the landing craft was half of a Marine.
My Dad was also there. And I got little bit, one of my older brothers got some too. Things change a bit after I became a MARINE, and a little more after Desert Shield/Desert Storm. And my reading MARINE CORPS history. Brothers: And I say that because we share something that cannot be understood without experience. Our Father's had a terrible experience that never left then. At a terrible cost. Total strength of the 1st was under 19000 MARINES and Sailors. Combat Strength (infantry) was 8000. But every one saw combat, everyone lost friends on that island. Dad: SSgt Seaberg, O.C. U.S.M.C. 1938-1945 Cpl. Seaberg, K.A. U.S.M.C. SEMPER FI !!!
My Brother in Laws Dad used to laugh that he traveled and trained with the 1st Marines, visited 3 beaches but only was on the islands for 5 days in total, wounded in all three visits within 8 hours of stepping on the beach. He had the scars to prove it and became a tough and highly competent Structural engineer, building 8 Hydroelectric dams through out northern USA from Maine to Wisconsin. Never wanted to go to any other tropical island beach for the rest of his life.
I was a Machinist Mate 2nd class on board USS Peleliu LHA-5 back in the early 80s. Back in Feb 1984 we went to Peleliu island and we had some 1st marines on board that held a 40th Anniversary visit and memorial ceremony there. I was able to go onshore for the day and remember walking around thinking to myself what a horrible place to have a battle. Of course I was a ship propulsion engineer and had no real clue about how bad it would be. Thanks guys for putting it into perspective. And yes, it was HOT there, almost as bad as the engine room when boilers are lit.
As a Marine aboard LHA 3 the Belleu Wood, and some LST's I remember seeing poor bastards from engine rooms when we hit port. I remember being grateful not to be them, rough working area.
That terrain, that heat, that enemy, that water situation, that insect situation . . . perhaps never has been a worse place for our men to fight. God bless 'em and God bless Seth, Bill and their guests for renewing our awareness and knowledge of the Pacific campaign. Just terrible that so few people bopping around today have any idea what prices were paid on and in the waters and skies surrounding islands like Betio, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa - and others.
It is heartbreaking to think all of this was unnecessary. Especially on the heels of the Tiniam invasion which was so very well done in regards of loss of American lives. As great as Nimitz was, it proved everyone can make mistakes. Thank you for another great episode.
Very upsetting to see the erosion of humility and battle fatigue that three plus years of command responsibility had on both Halsey and Nimitz. I suppose it is too much to expect mere mortals to admit errors that cost other men their lives. It's just all too much.
We The 1st MarDiv served with the 101st and the 82nd Airborn Divisions in Desert Storm. They are both what we Marines call true warfighters. We all served well together. Semper Fi Army
I was in the 82nd during Grenada invasion. I remember helping evacuate some civilians and one said he would follow this young marine pointing to me. I had to point to my uniform and said US Army. Lol
I go back to the first time I watched the "Pacific" and remember saying "how is it I've never heard of this battle"... "This is what hell on Earth looks like".... I can't even begin to phantom how an individual could survive such intolerable conditions. Even the mental anguish alone would be unsufferable. Just amazed at the fortitude of these men. God bless them all!
My oldest son is a Marine. I have an affinity and a love for Marines.... past, present and future. So when I hear the word "Peleliu" I feel a knot in my chest and my throat tightens. I wish Nimitz had listened to Halsey.
A stunning revelation to hear Adm. Nimitz, was for the most part, the driving force to take Peleliu. For me, this is a change from conventional writings that gave the blame to MacArthur. I base my conclusions on where factual resources take me. I may not have known or even like what I find but that does not give me the right to ignore what actually happened. Another instance of being a history student who is set straight and so be it. Great episode and I look forward to parts 2 and 3.
As always, i look forward to watching you guys in part for the detail of often overlooked events during the War, in part because of the honesty you both show during the videos, not sugar coating it. Simply delivering an unabashed look based on the facts and not on a "PR" friendly dribble done by others. But being honest, because you have chemistry, it works and shines through in every episode. If i can ask one thing that would be appreciated by a lot of viewers...... recommend a book to read in every episode., maybe for an upcoming episode, maybe just a favorite of yours.... just a thought.
Gentlemen, We have had some wild weather here in Victoria, Australia. Bushfires in the west and wild storm damage in the east. I was cutoff midstream from this episode, thankfully, 24 hours later, I have reconnected... I do enjoy most of your guests, especially John Parshal; however this particular segment showed exactly why you initiated this best of Pacific campaign channels. You work together, with your different strengths so very well. Thankyou
Love the episode. I had read somewhere that the reason why Nimitz didn’t call it off was because it had been agreed with by MacArthur and that he was standing on ceremony when the issue was brought up by Halsey. Even if that’s not the case, going ahead with this was a terrible mistake
I sure enjoy Bill Toti. He brings humor and humility to the program. Makes him in my eyes a great leader. Seth is a great historian and narrator and his facts are spot on..
Another great episode. I would just like to point out that this episode has been up for less than 12 hours and y'all have got over 130 comments already. You guys are providing a priceless service to the memory of all who served in the Pacific. BZ gentlemen.
Bill and Seth, yet another brilliantly researched and presented episode, even if it is a very hard one to watch because; 1. the many young USMC lives that would be needlessly lost taking the island; 2. the very clear fact that the island could have been safely "hopped", and finally; 3. that the blame for this terrible strategic decision lay mostly on the greatest Admiral in USN history. For many years of my long and avid consumption of PTO history, I held the (now admittedly false) view that Peleliu was exclusively another one of Dug-out Doug's many self aggrandising sacrifices of either USMC or Australian troops to his own greater glory. Now from your excellent work.....the bitter truth....not easy to digest but absolutely essential to learn. As always Bravo Zulu to you both on your always excellent series!
I agree with your opinion of the 1st Marine Division, but am biased because I knew a number of Marines who were there. Among them were legends like Chesty Puller, Silent Lew Walt and Ray Davis. At 1:00:01where you recount the story of Chesty lighting a pipe on the beach seems abnormal to you guys, but it was typical Chesty. He needed to gather his thoughts and also needed to give a show of fearless nonchalance. He had an intense charisma and such things inspired his Marines and added to his legend. He did lose it later when his regiment was rendered combat ineffective and had to be pulled out. This was a tender topic among Old Breed Marines and there were some who were bitter detractors of Puller, the way he just kept pressing Marines straight into the slaughter. Chesty Puller always demanded more and more from his Marines, convinced they could do more than they realized and could accomplish the impossible. By force of his will, he believed he could lead them to victory and could have no doubts. That was a strength and a weakness. When he ran into a wall, he savagely broke through it, but on Peleliu, the wall, for once, barely budged and he threw himself and his Marines against it until they were all broken. Your description of the landing of the 1st and 7th is good, but beginning at 1:02:01 you miss it on the 5th. While having less enfilading fire, they were still catching a LOT of fire directed from caves in the Umurbrogol. Most of their landing craft were destroyed, they were targeted with mortar and artillery and interlocking machine gun fire. Pressing forward into patches of scrub brush, in holes created by bombardment, they became separated and were fighting in squads uncoordinated with neighboring units. Marines became separated from their units and joined others temporarily. In many cases it was just 4 or 5 guys fighting together. Communications were nearly nonexistent. They just knew they had to get away from that beach and advanced in ever-growing disorder. They were not "tied in tight" when the Japanese tank attack occurred. Either Robert Leckie or Gene Sledge said the 5th's XO, then- Lt. Colonel Lew Walt should have gotten the Medal of Honor instead of the Navy Cross he received. Later on the first day, Walt was, typically for him, "all over the battlefield," locating, organizing and coordinating fragmented, disorganized troops under heavy fire. He straightened their lines and brought some semblance of order. Walt frequently exposed himself to enemy fire. He was known for that and, like Puller, Walt was also known as a force multiplier on the battlefield. There was a gap between the 5th and 7th Marines and Walt moved to establish contact and coordinate with the 7th before the Japanese could discover and take advantage. Walt was recommended for the Medal of Honor, but, like on New Britain, it was decided to give him his second Navy Cross. The story among Old Breed Marines was the brass knew Walt would expose himself to enemy fire one too many times leading Marines in combat and get killed. It would be then that Silent Lew would be awarded the Medal of Honor. He, on the other hand, had a certainty he would not die on the battlefield. He just knew it. Silent Lew Walt became the defacto commander of the 5th Marines after a couple of days. 2-1/2 years before he had been a machine gun platoon commander. Bucky Harris received a leg wound, but stayed on the battlefield with his headquarters in an anti-tank ditch. Walt was all over the place and reported back to Harris what he had done, and Harris approved. On about the third day, Puller and his star Basic School pupil Walt met on the battlefield and Puller said, "I notice you called in 70% of the artillery fires," to which Walt replied, "That's because we've taken 75% of the ground." It is interesting to note that several years after the war, Chesty Puller ordered Silent Lew Walt to build a copy of the Japanese defensive complex on The Point at Quantico. Walt did it and it was used for the training of young lieutenants. I imagine it is still out there at The Basic School and is probably still in use.
Around 15:00 Bill speaks about the japanese Commander at Peleliu and that he worked out his defensive strategy according to what he learned through past island battles. And here is my question: How exactly did the Japanese get any knowledge of how the battles in Betio, Saipan, where ever, really went, tactically? None of the garrisons from these islands escaped. Did they gave detailed discriptions of the battle via radio as long as they were able to? How did this knowledge, about what defensive-strategy worked, got to the Japanese in order to change their own tactics? Thanks for an answer in forward.
Your podcast is the best deep dive Pacific War podcast out there. You do a great job & keep it up. I highly suggest reading “Magne’s War” by Charles N. Manhoff. He was Chesty Puller’s runner & bodyguard and this account offers a unique perspective on Puller’s action on Peleliu. Basically, he counters many expert’s opinions that Puller wasted lives and was out of it. His book offers an up close account of Puller’s actions on Peleliu. People who criticize Puller should read it to get a different opinion of his actions.
What always struck me as odd about Nimitz's decision to proceed with Peleliu was that he still insisted after Halsey said it wasn't a good idea. If your by far most aggressive subordinate is saying it's not a good idea to fight here, that's something you have to consider.
Great episode Bill and Seth. Thank you two for getting down to the brass tacks about these battles. It shows me how much of this information was not commonly reported. You guys are fantastic. Thanks.
I too, have been waiting for this “Peleliu.” Having read Sledgehammer’s With the Old Breed when it came out and watching The Pacific, he was right. It was not necessary. Thank you. I totally enjoy your series and I do so appreciate your hard work.
You guys are AWESOME. I have CRS, so I watch them over n over. You n John are an awesome Team. Tell CPT Bill I failed the Bilge pump exam. So the 101ST Airborne took me. SGT DOUG, RECON, 101ST, RVN 68-69, LZ SALLY
Pelilu, Chosin, Hue City, and part of Fallujah. 1st MARDIV heavily tested in many extreme conditions, and stepped up. So grateful for your documentary effort. Thanks L 3/1 1st MARDIV
Thanks for reminding me to "Like & Subscribe" at the beginning of each episode Seth. Excellent job Gentlemen, as usual you don't pull any punches and relate the story as truthfully as humanly possible. Just because this invasion was a strategic blunder should not lead anyone to think that the Marines heroism matters any less.
Thank you both, gentlemen. I paused for over two weeks before finally viewing this (part 1 of 3) as I knew. We all know. Seth, the Peleliu episode of "The Pacific" was one of the more gut-wrenching (yet brilliantly effective) pieces of television I've ever watched. And I understand the reality was even worse than TV could depict. If only I could salute, shake the hand and thank every US Marine and US Army soldier who participated in that very small stage show of Hell. Those fighting men convince me that I'm not worthy given what they endured then and for the rest of their lives. Thanks to all.
"Such judgment could be disputed, however, by the survivors of the USS Indianapolis' 29 July 1945 sinking. Having delivered atomic bomb parts to Tinian shortly before, the ship was headed for the Philippines, when it was suddenly torpedoed at night. The ship went down in 12 minutes, and no report of the contact or the sinking was received. The fourth day after the sinking, its 316 survivors (from a crew of 1,196) were sighted by a Navy patrol bomber working out of Peleliu. The sighting led directly to their rescue, and most certainly would not have occurred, but for American occupation of Peleliu." www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/npswapa/extcontent/usmc/pcn-190-003137-00/sec11.htm
I want to take a moment to thank you both for the exceptional fine work that you have done and continue to do. I tremble with anticipation for each new episode. Your channel has been, in the borrowed words of Jon Parshall, my gateway drug in to the Pacific War. I have devoured several books written by your guests (i.e. Parshall, McManus, Bruning) and intend to read many more. Again, thank you!
I can personally highly recommend anything by Richard Franks. I'm eagerly awaiting the last two parts of his Asia-Pacific magnum opus, but if you read nothing else then read 'Downfall'
I must admit, the first Unauthorized History episode I caught I wasn't sold on the format - it felt like two guys chatting in their living room. Then I watched one with Jon Parshall and was hooked. Now I've finished this episode and am counting the days until the next segment drops! Great job guys.
I'm from the Midwest, and I've watched all of your episodes, so Bill's right. I can only watch "How to cut an Onion" so many times, Seth. AND WE NEED MORE VISUALS. AND MAPS AS PUNISHMENT
I haven't watched the video yet (I'm still on your Saipan episodes), but just wanted to add that my paternal grandfather was either a machinist or carpenter aboard USS Wayne APA-54, which operated off of Orange Beach landing 'various elements of the First Marine Division and a Naval Communication Team,' providing a beach party that wasn't able to make it ashore until 1730 on D-day. All my dad ever heard about that was a Japanese aircraft buzzing around at night, and that they were briefly shot at. Wayne's AAR indicates they handled just under 200 casualties, and suffered a few of their own KIA in the beach party (a direct hit from a mortar or artillery shell in a foxhole). My grandfather decided to stay in the Navy for about a year post-war and took part in fitting of cameras and other sensor equipment to the drones for Crossroads Able and Crossroads Baker. Wayne's AAR makes for interesting reading, from the beachmaster complaining about when they were landed ('The outcome of a campaign is not influenced by having twenty-five men in fox holes, at the water's edge, under constant enemy fire, waiting for forty-eight hours until the task for which they went ashore can be started.') to the Senior Medical Officer recommending improving how the night casualty receiving ships were marked, since their name was frequently unknown to Wayne's crew and they did not know where to redirect casualty boats. There was also trouble both with frequent reported mechanical failures in the LVTs, along with Japanese mortar fire at night interfering with LVTs and DUKWs in the one channel through the reef they cleared early on. They did serve one night as casualty receiving ship off Orange Beach, keeping station 1200-2000 yards off the reef. Anyone able to clarify for me the difference between a shore party and the beach party?
Finally. I've been waiting for this episode. I read with the old breed before the pacific was made and have been fascinated with the battle of peleliu and negasibus. I can't spell that 2nd one. Thank you guys
Thanks Seth and Bill, this episode was difficult emotionally to handle. War was hell brought to life very vividly by your presentation today. Your explanation of the Japanese learning from their previous failures helped me gain a more accurate understanding that they were not just irrationally suicidal in their methods. There was a method to their madness.
You guys are superb. Teaching this Brit veteran about The Pacific War and what those incredible heroes endured and the horrors they lived through and had to live with. Keep up the fantastic work, guys.
My wife’s grandfather was in the 1st Marine Division. He fought in every campaign of the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific. He said more than once that Peleliu was the worst. He only spoke to me about the war a couple times. It was clear that his experiences and what he had to endure at Peleliu, especially Bloody Nose Ridge, haunted him.
A salty old gunny with K 3/5 after Pelilu told his troops "I can't do another one these" however, he sucked it up when these same guys took down Okinawa and closed the deal.
@@jonhenson5450 He had quite a few stories about Okinawa too. He never said it this way, but seemed to be a notch down in intensity for him compared to Pelelieu. His stories about going out with a squad on Bloody Nose Ridge, and being one of three that came back were haunting.
@@jonhenson5450 He did have stories about Melbourne. Those were the good times. He had horror stories in a different way about Pavuvu. The Pacific didn’t portray it tough enough. My grandfather in law, who was a sergeant by Okinawa, but not a gunny, treated Pavuvu like it was another campaign when they first landed.
@@TheBruceGday yes sir. Because of the G'day reference, I wonder if he's R.V Burgin, I know he went back to Oz and married after the war. I met him at book signing along with author Bill Sloan. He was Sledge's squad leader. SGT. R.V Burgin, Jewett,TX
Seth, has anyone published anything on the details on the actual Japanese defense network system and perhaps how it was accomplished in such a “relatively” short period of time? Kinda from an engineer perspective. All I’ve ever really able to find are a paragraph at the most contained in things I’ve read on battle.
It has taken me months but I have finally caught up and watched all episodes. In spite of your ongoing carping about MacArthur, I thank you for this amazing effort. Selfishly, I hope it never ends. Keep up the good work.
Thanks guys, I am happy you are back to your normal schedule of podcasts. And thanks again for upending my understanding of yet another battle. Your depth of understanding and insight of the subject matter is rather incredible. Cool, 2 more parts to go. Thank you again !
Nope. My Dad's outfit, the 517th RPCT was the baddest bunch of dudes anywhere. Anzio, Maritime Alps, The Bulge, The Hurtgen. Dad missed the Hurtgen thank the Lord. His left foot was blown nearly completely off the day before the Americans retook St. Vith. Once when I was young I told him somehow I was under the impression that the krauts had got him early in the Bulge. He said with feeling "I wish the f*ck they HAD! It would've saved me a MONTH of being out in that f*ckin' cold!" He meant it. That whole generation was something else. Dad died in the VA hospital in Portland Oregon in 1999. They saved his foot by the way. Gerald Astor wrote about them in his book "The Battling Buzzards: The Odyssey of the 517th Regimental Parachute Combat Team".
Thank you for the history lesson and great presentation, the maps helped. Hope the aerial recognizance improved and the mistakes made on Peleliu saved lives later on.
There were many dominoes that fell before the Peleliu invasion began, but the leadership of Rupertus was also an issue. McManus said it was fatal pride, I think Rupertus was combat ineffective. Leading up to the battle General Rupertus had been on temporary duty in Washington during most of his division's planning. For the initial invasion Rupertus refused reinforcements from the Army's 81st Division and then he broke an ankle at Guadalcanal during a landing practice for Peleliu. His foot was in a cast, but Geiger learned of this too late to make a change in divisional command. Rupertus did not visit any of his regimental command posts until D+4 and then was not willing to even admit that his division needed reinforcements. Thankfully Geiger overruled him and ordered the 321st (RCT), 81st Inf Div to be attached to the Marines. For an island that should of been bypassed, this type of leadership certainly did not help.
@@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWarI must have missed it this episode. Great reason to re-watch it! I guess my comment pertains less to the battle itself and more towards hearing your dialogue on Sledge's (pretty humorous) description of Haney and his peculiarities (ie: showering with a bristle brush or bayonet practice). I thought the quote "I felt as though he was not a man born of woman, but that God had issued him to the Marine Corps" summed up Haney pretty well lol
I’ve been waiting for this topic since I first found your channel shortly after you began. You have been awesome and I thank you for your efforts in telling the story of the Pacific War in depth.
101st Airborne was "tougher than woodpecker lips" from D-Day through Bastogne, Market Garden and to the very end of the war. Not sure if those divisions would have fared any differently if they were switched between the Pacific and European theaters of operation. Their small unit leadership was superb and they trained well for the battles they were asked to win.
As mentioned by Seth in the podcast, the 82nd might be the strongest contender in the American arsenal. The 101st gets all the glory in WW2 but the 82nd was the shield that broke the German offensive's back during the Bulge.
Agreed. They stopped sepp detreichs main assault west in its tracks. He was very well known for severe brutality, but ALWAYS got the job done,,, until he ran into the 82nd. The 82nd held him off until US 3rd armored got there to help. They kicked detreichs azz. Piper snuck south AROUND the 82nd, made it to Celles Belgium with 2nd ss panzer, where US 2nd armored totally destroyed him. The 82nd was one helluva tough outfit. But everyone talks about Bastone. I wish we could get Seth & Capt Bill to do the Battle of the Bulge. Other than Courtney Hodges war diary " From D Day to Victory, " nobody has really ever told the truth about that battle. Too many "allies" ALWAYS try to take credit for what 🇺🇸WE🇺🇸 OUR SOLDIERS DID... After 80 years, it's about time SOMEONE tells the WHOLE truth about it. And Seth & Captain Bill would be just the guys to do it. 😊 @@jrodowens
@@carolmoore5307 Seth should like this saying. 😁 Ever hear - " Tougher than John Wayne toilet paper. " In the 1980s army that's what we called C ration toilet paper. Which were dated 1944 to 1953. We called it "John Wayne toilet paper" . Because it was rough & tough, & didnt take poop off anyone. The army was big on using wax to preserve things. Worked like a charm on C & K ration food cans, ammo cans, etc. On other things,,, not so much. Imagine trying to do your business with really coarse , basically non absorbent, WAX infused toilet paper. 🤬 😂
Good morning, SC in the house! This is a big series, been looking forward to this one, the Japanese tactics changed and many moving parts to this battle....brutal battle!
Just finished reading the old breed… Unbelievable, the most detailed first hand account of what it was like on pelelui. Literal hell on earth I too would put the 1st marines against any other infantry division. Those men are sincerely as bad ass as it gets 💯
Re the scarcity of water, ask a marathon (or 5K!) runner about their performance when under hydrated. Carrying equipment and fighting while dehydrated would have been hellacious.
The Mississippi River bluff behind my house rises about 550 feet. Gives me a good idea of the elevations involved. Regarding Peleliu that's a lot of coral. Thanks.
10 years ago I had the good fortune to spend five days walking Peleliu with a GPS and a map from the Japanese Army back in 1943. So much of the history is still there. On the ground and in hundreds of Japanese caves. Palau and Peleliu are beautiful. It's hard to imagine the brutality of WWII. Thank you for posting this video.
My uncle was with the First Marines at Chosin- he never talked about what happened, but for decades he hated the Marines. Later he seem to be proud- but he took that story to his grave.
30:44. When reading through his memoirs. Halsey mentioned that when the time came for him to take over from Spruance. He initially considered a carrier for his flagship. It just so happened that his old flagship Enterprise was in Pearl Harbor at the same time as New Jersey was. But his staff insisted on him using New Jersey as flagship due to her size, specifically her larger flag quarters and the fact that as a Battleship, she could take a hit better than a carrier.
I love that Seth used "arguably the best" with the 1st Marines. I could certainly argue that, though I think you could also argue 82nd, 101st, 1st ID, 3rd ID, and the 7th ID . Those sorts of "arguments" are either the case for books or for friendly (if sometimes a bit heated), discussions at the bar. Saying this as a former 2ID Soldier, our lineage is also pretty great. ;)
No doubt. Indianheads are bad ass and always have been. And let me be clear, which I guess I was not…I was referring to Sept 1944. 1st Mar Div was tops at that time. Unequaled. 101 is not in the conversation. They had one combat op in which they were in contact with the enemy for less than two months total. So they are not even in the same universe. Combat experience and cadre…1st Mar all the way in Sept 44. No doubt.
@@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar - I'll accept that, well reasoned and a fun discussion. 101st really comes into it's own and secured it's "rendezvous with destiny" at the Bulge. Great point on the 1st MARDIV and I had a small sip of whiskey reading it. ;). Listening to Peleliu today was rough. As always, you guys are respectful, well informed, and had a great guest (Dave Holland) on. Cheers. Keep doing what you do!
The first and third ID weren't really made up of multi-year vets anymore. They had already gone through multiple high casualty battles. Still good units but not many Veterans of the 42 and 43 fighting left by September 1944.
My Father went ashore on a UDT scouting mission to identify Japanese strong-points before the Marines landed. I have heard these stories growing up but I can't listen to them now. I'll join you again when the war shifts to the Philippines.
Capt. Everett Pope, (USMC, C.M.O.H. recipient) for that battle specifically on a hill that he and his men fought on, most of his men died/wounded, ran out of ammo, had very few grenades and began rolling rocks down towards the Japanese to create hesitancy. This I'm sure will hopefully outlined, it was a useless mission according to Capt. Pope, who retired as a Major in USMC.
What was Admiral King's position on the Palaus? Not long ago, you guys brought out an interesting episode where Nimitz had recently cozied up a bit (or appeared to) with MacArthur in making some proposals, and had been sharply rebuked by King for doing so. Could it be that, despite the Forager success, Nimitz still perceived that he had relatively low "political capital" to try bucking King again on altering already-approved plans? Or perhaps felt that he had already burned what he currently had in getting the Leyte acceleration approved? I'm not at all trying to "shift blame" from Nimitz to King; I don't even know if King had a strong opinion or weighed in on the matter. Just trying like anyone else to make some sense of this inexplicably-boneheaded and very uncharacteristic Nimitz move.
Robert MacNamara...I had many good years of employment out here in Aussie because of him. He cause the development and production of an aircraft we bought - the F-111.
Great show… keep the resumes going is my vote. Also, occasionally rotating left and right screen presentation, of which you have done in the past is a good twist also… S
Me also thought this it was Mac’s decision….that’s why I burned his book (only book I have ever burned). This along with the way he treated Skinny Wainwright at the surrender of Japan. His treatment of Ichlenburg(?), Aussies, etc., etc.,…..😮
The men who gave their lives to attack and defend this island would certainly be appreciative of the deep respect and sincerity how battle is being covered. Excellent work.
I like Bill's long form intro
I’ve been waiting for this episode. My uncle was a Marine at Peliliu and was the driver for Company A of the 1st Battalion of the First Marine Division. From studying the order of battle I have determined that his company was attached to Puller’s 1st Matine Regiment (“1st Marines” in USMC parlance). It was his first combat (he would later also serve in Okinawa) and he said very litttle about the experience. From his “My Life in the United States Marines 1943-46” he said:
“they needed a driver at A Company of the medical battalion. So I went over there. The unit was made up of enlisted pharmacist’s mates and the officers were all doctors. So I became the company jeep driver of A Company, 1st Medical Battalion. For the rest of my stay in the Marine Corps, that was my assignment. I drove the company commander, a Navy doctor, or any of the other doctors who had some place to go.”
Peleliu
“I went into Peleliu on the third wave of the 1st. day. We were sent in on LSTs, LCPs, and LCIs. Not sure why I went in that wave but a bunch of doctors did go in at that point to set up an aid station. There wasn’t really much place to go since Peleliu is only about three miles by five miles. I went out to pick up casualties on foot carrying a stretcher along with a couple of other guys and then carried the casualties back to the aid station. That was my main duty there. I didn’t do any infantry duty there although later in Okinawa everybody was put into the line if it was needed because all Marines are trained as riflemen.”
“We lost about 1200 dead and 4000 wounded on Peleliu. We ran into big trouble. There was a ridge line on the north end of the island and it was heavily fortified. The Japanese had caves and the like that overlooked the airfield. We were on Peleliu because MacArthur was planning the invasion of the Philippines and his intelligence reported that the airfield was a danger to that campaign. But there were no planes left when we landed. The airfield had been thoroughly worked over by the Navy and the only planes on the island were wrecked planes. Admiral Halsey said there was no reason to send the Marines in there and that the island could be bypassed but he was overruled.”
“So, because Macarthur had bad intelligence we lost 1200 killed and 4000 wounded in the 1st. Marine Division. We were relieved after three weeks.”
“All but one of the regiments was relieved at that point.”
As you can see, he was no fan of MacArthur.
The only other thing that I know he said was that he told his son (my cousin) that the first thing he saw when he departed the landing craft was half of a Marine.
My dad was at Peleliu. He never talked about it so I am learning more about the battle from you guys.
and I never knew enough at the time to ask dad about Peleliu
My Dad was also there.
And I got little bit, one of my older brothers got some too.
Things change a bit after I became a MARINE, and a little more after Desert Shield/Desert Storm. And my reading MARINE CORPS history.
Brothers:
And I say that because we share something that cannot be understood without experience. Our Father's had a terrible experience that never left then.
At a terrible cost.
Total strength of the 1st was under 19000 MARINES and Sailors. Combat Strength (infantry) was 8000. But every one saw combat, everyone lost friends on that island.
Dad: SSgt Seaberg, O.C. U.S.M.C.
1938-1945
Cpl. Seaberg, K.A. U.S.M.C.
SEMPER FI !!!
I became a Corpsman, Nam 71.@@knutdergroe9757
My daddy was there also...never talked about it.
My Brother in Laws Dad used to laugh that he traveled and trained with the 1st Marines, visited 3 beaches but only was on the islands for 5 days in total, wounded in all three visits within 8 hours of stepping on the beach. He had the scars to prove it and became a tough and highly competent Structural engineer, building 8 Hydroelectric dams through out northern USA from Maine to Wisconsin. Never wanted to go to any other tropical island beach for the rest of his life.
Greatest Generation
I was a Machinist Mate 2nd class on board USS Peleliu LHA-5 back in the early 80s. Back in Feb 1984 we went to Peleliu island and we had some 1st marines on board that held a 40th Anniversary visit and memorial ceremony there. I was able to go onshore for the day and remember walking around thinking to myself what a horrible place to have a battle. Of course I was a ship propulsion engineer and had no real clue about how bad it would be. Thanks guys for putting it into perspective. And yes, it was HOT there, almost as bad as the engine room when boilers are lit.
“Big Red 1 marines”
????
Sorry I meant 1st Marine corrected@@billgrider4448
Sorry meant 1st marines corrected@@billgrider4448
As a Marine aboard LHA 3 the Belleu Wood, and some LST's I remember seeing poor bastards from engine rooms when we hit port. I remember being grateful not to be them, rough working area.
That terrain, that heat, that enemy, that water situation, that insect situation . . . perhaps never has been a worse place for our men to fight. God bless 'em and God bless Seth, Bill and their guests for renewing our awareness and knowledge of the Pacific campaign. Just terrible that so few people bopping around today have any idea what prices were paid on and in the waters and skies surrounding islands like Betio, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa - and others.
It is heartbreaking to think all of this was unnecessary. Especially on the heels of the Tiniam invasion which was so very well done in regards of loss of American lives. As great as Nimitz was, it proved everyone can make mistakes. Thank you for another great episode.
Very upsetting to see the erosion of humility and battle fatigue that three plus years of command responsibility had on both Halsey and Nimitz. I suppose it is too much to expect mere mortals to admit errors that cost other men their lives. It's just all too much.
We The 1st MarDiv served with the 101st and the 82nd Airborn Divisions in Desert Storm. They are both what we Marines call true warfighters. We all served well together. Semper Fi Army
Semper Fi brother
I was in the 82nd during Grenada invasion. I remember helping evacuate some civilians and one said he would follow this young marine pointing to me. I had to point to my uniform and said US Army. Lol
@@joeyartk82nd Airplane Gang.
At the tip of the spear.
Semper Fi
I go back to the first time I watched the "Pacific" and remember saying "how is it I've never heard of this battle"... "This is what hell on Earth looks like".... I can't even begin to phantom how an individual could survive such intolerable conditions. Even the mental anguish alone would be unsufferable. Just amazed at the fortitude of these men. God bless them all!
My oldest son is a Marine. I have an affinity and a love for Marines.... past, present and future. So when I hear the word "Peleliu" I feel a knot in my chest and my throat tightens. I wish Nimitz had listened to Halsey.
A stunning revelation to hear Adm. Nimitz, was for the most part, the driving force to take Peleliu. For me, this is a change from conventional writings that gave the blame to MacArthur. I base my conclusions on where factual resources take me. I may not have known or even like what I find but that does not give me the right to ignore what actually happened. Another instance of being a history student who is set straight and so be it. Great episode and I look forward to parts 2 and 3.
Literally, blew me away. Say What!😮
Looking forward to Part 2. Already humbled by the stories of American bravery on the beaches and at the point.
Excellent episode. Thanks for the content. IMHO, keep the full bio, Capt. Toti. You earned it.
As always, i look forward to watching you guys in part for the detail of often overlooked events during the War, in part because of the honesty you both show during the videos, not sugar coating it. Simply delivering an unabashed look based on the facts and not on a "PR" friendly dribble done by others. But being honest, because you have chemistry, it works and shines through in every episode.
If i can ask one thing that would be appreciated by a lot of viewers...... recommend a book to read in every episode., maybe for an upcoming episode, maybe just a favorite of yours.... just a thought.
Really appreciate your candor in calling out the times when the greats are wrong.
😊
Gentlemen,
We have had some wild weather here in Victoria, Australia. Bushfires in the west and wild storm damage in the east.
I was cutoff midstream from this episode, thankfully, 24 hours later, I have reconnected...
I do enjoy most of your guests, especially John Parshal; however this particular segment showed exactly why you initiated this best of Pacific campaign channels. You work together, with your different strengths so very well.
Thankyou
Love the episode. I had read somewhere that the reason why Nimitz didn’t call it off was because it had been agreed with by MacArthur and that he was standing on ceremony when the issue was brought up by Halsey. Even if that’s not the case, going ahead with this was a terrible mistake
I sure enjoy Bill Toti. He brings humor and humility to the program. Makes him in my eyes a great leader. Seth is a great historian and narrator and his facts are spot on..
Another great episode. I would just like to point out that this episode has been up for less than 12 hours and y'all have got over 130 comments already. You guys are providing a priceless service to the memory of all who served in the Pacific. BZ gentlemen.
the comments are worth every minute of time to read and add much to the history. Thank you all.
Bill and Seth, yet another brilliantly researched and presented episode, even if it is a very hard one to watch because; 1. the many young USMC lives that would be needlessly lost taking the island; 2. the very clear fact that the island could have been safely "hopped", and finally; 3. that the blame for this terrible strategic decision lay mostly on the greatest Admiral in USN history. For many years of my long and avid consumption of PTO history, I held the (now admittedly false) view that Peleliu was exclusively another one of Dug-out Doug's many self aggrandising sacrifices of either USMC or Australian troops to his own greater glory. Now from your excellent work.....the bitter truth....not easy to digest but absolutely essential to learn. As always Bravo Zulu to you both on your always excellent series!
I agree with your opinion of the 1st Marine Division, but am biased because I knew a number of Marines who were there. Among them were legends like Chesty Puller, Silent Lew Walt and Ray Davis.
At 1:00:01where you recount the story of Chesty lighting a pipe on the beach seems abnormal to you guys, but it was typical Chesty. He needed to gather his thoughts and also needed to give a show of fearless nonchalance. He had an intense charisma and such things inspired his Marines and added to his legend.
He did lose it later when his regiment was rendered combat ineffective and had to be pulled out. This was a tender topic among Old Breed Marines and there were some who were bitter detractors of Puller, the way he just kept pressing Marines straight into the slaughter.
Chesty Puller always demanded more and more from his Marines, convinced they could do more than they realized and could accomplish the impossible.
By force of his will, he believed he could lead them to victory and could have no doubts. That was a strength and a weakness.
When he ran into a wall, he savagely broke through it, but on Peleliu, the wall, for once, barely budged and he threw himself and his Marines against it until they were all broken.
Your description of the landing of the 1st and 7th is good, but beginning at 1:02:01 you miss it on the 5th. While having less enfilading fire, they were still catching a LOT of fire directed from caves in the Umurbrogol. Most of their landing craft were destroyed, they were targeted with mortar and artillery and interlocking machine gun fire.
Pressing forward into patches of scrub brush, in holes created by bombardment, they became separated and were fighting in squads uncoordinated with neighboring units. Marines became separated from their units and joined others temporarily. In many cases it was just 4 or 5 guys fighting together.
Communications were nearly nonexistent.
They just knew they had to get away from that beach and advanced in ever-growing disorder.
They were not "tied in tight" when the Japanese tank attack occurred.
Either Robert Leckie or Gene Sledge said the 5th's XO, then- Lt. Colonel Lew Walt should have gotten the Medal of Honor instead of the Navy Cross he received. Later on the first day, Walt was, typically for him, "all over the battlefield," locating, organizing and coordinating fragmented, disorganized troops under heavy fire. He straightened their lines and brought some semblance of order. Walt frequently exposed himself to enemy fire. He was known for that and, like Puller, Walt was also known as a force multiplier on the battlefield.
There was a gap between the 5th and 7th Marines and Walt moved to establish contact and coordinate with the 7th before the Japanese could discover and take advantage.
Walt was recommended for the Medal of Honor, but, like on New Britain, it was decided to give him his second Navy Cross.
The story among Old Breed Marines was the brass knew Walt would expose himself to enemy fire one too many times leading Marines in combat and get killed. It would be then that Silent Lew would be awarded the Medal of Honor.
He, on the other hand, had a certainty he would not die on the battlefield. He just knew it.
Silent Lew Walt became the defacto commander of the 5th Marines after a couple of days.
2-1/2 years before he had been a machine gun platoon commander.
Bucky Harris received a leg wound, but stayed on the battlefield with his headquarters in an anti-tank ditch.
Walt was all over the place and reported back to Harris what he had done, and Harris approved.
On about the third day, Puller and his star Basic School pupil Walt met on the battlefield and Puller said, "I notice you called in 70% of the artillery fires," to which Walt replied, "That's because we've taken 75% of the ground."
It is interesting to note that several years after the war, Chesty Puller ordered Silent Lew Walt to build a copy of the Japanese defensive complex on The Point at Quantico.
Walt did it and it was used for the training of young lieutenants. I imagine it is still out there at The Basic School and is probably still in use.
Around 15:00 Bill speaks about the japanese Commander at Peleliu and that he worked out his defensive strategy according to what he learned through past island battles. And here is my question: How exactly did the Japanese get any knowledge of how the battles in Betio, Saipan, where ever, really went, tactically? None of the garrisons from these islands escaped. Did they gave detailed discriptions of the battle via radio as long as they were able to?
How did this knowledge, about what defensive-strategy worked, got to the Japanese in order to change their own tactics?
Thanks for an answer in forward.
they were in constant radio comms with higher HQ, until the last ones were killed. They were not as isolated as you may think.
I wondered the same thing.
Thank you Bill and Seth.
Your podcast is the best deep dive Pacific War podcast out there. You do a great job & keep it up.
I highly suggest reading “Magne’s War” by Charles N. Manhoff. He was Chesty Puller’s runner & bodyguard and this account offers a unique perspective on Puller’s action on Peleliu.
Basically, he counters many expert’s opinions that Puller wasted lives and was out of it. His book offers an up close account of Puller’s actions on Peleliu. People who criticize Puller should read it to get a different opinion of his actions.
Thanks for mentioning this, Bill.
Hmm…Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll check it out😊
What always struck me as odd about Nimitz's decision to proceed with Peleliu was that he still insisted after Halsey said it wasn't a good idea. If your by far most aggressive subordinate is saying it's not a good idea to fight here, that's something you have to consider.
Thanks guys for the in depth history lesson, what a meat grinder. TH-cam is great on Tuesday mornings.
Great episode Bill and Seth. Thank you two for getting down to the brass tacks about these battles. It shows me how much of this information was not commonly reported. You guys are fantastic. Thanks.
I too, have been waiting for this “Peleliu.” Having read Sledgehammer’s With the Old Breed when it came out and watching The Pacific, he was right. It was not necessary. Thank you. I totally enjoy your series and I do so appreciate your hard work.
Another can’t-miss episode. I watch this show the day it is out.
I have been patiently standing by for your Peleliu series…..
🦅🌎⚓️
Another awesome show guys. Glad you are doing three shows on PELILU
You guys are AWESOME. I have CRS, so I watch them over n over. You n John are an awesome Team.
Tell CPT Bill I failed the Bilge pump exam. So the 101ST Airborne took me.
SGT DOUG, RECON, 101ST, RVN 68-69, LZ SALLY
I totally agree with you! Glad you said “watch them more than once”. Me too.
Pelilu, Chosin, Hue City, and part of Fallujah. 1st MARDIV heavily tested in many extreme conditions, and stepped up. So grateful for your documentary effort. Thanks L 3/1 1st MARDIV
Thanks for reminding me to "Like & Subscribe" at the beginning of each episode Seth. Excellent job Gentlemen, as usual you don't pull any punches and relate the story as truthfully as humanly possible. Just because this invasion was a strategic blunder should not lead anyone to think that the Marines heroism matters any less.
Thank you both, gentlemen. I paused for over two weeks before finally viewing this (part 1 of 3) as I knew. We all know. Seth, the Peleliu episode of "The Pacific" was one of the more gut-wrenching (yet brilliantly effective) pieces of television I've ever watched. And I understand the reality was even worse than TV could depict. If only I could salute, shake the hand and thank every US Marine and US Army soldier who participated in that very small stage show of Hell. Those fighting men convince me that I'm not worthy given what they endured then and for the rest of their lives. Thanks to all.
"Such judgment could be disputed, however, by the survivors of the USS Indianapolis' 29 July 1945 sinking. Having delivered atomic bomb parts to Tinian shortly before, the ship was headed for the Philippines, when it was suddenly torpedoed at night. The ship went down in 12 minutes, and no report of the contact or the sinking was received. The fourth day after the sinking, its 316 survivors (from a crew of 1,196) were sighted by a Navy patrol bomber working out of Peleliu. The sighting led directly to their rescue, and most certainly would not have occurred, but for American occupation of Peleliu."
www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/npswapa/extcontent/usmc/pcn-190-003137-00/sec11.htm
0:44 CO of USS Indianapolis (SSN-697), Commodore of Submarine Squadron 3 and many other postings.
You missed the term fast attack submarine. LOL
LOL
@@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar thank you.
I was on NSSC staff when he was CSS-3.
I want to take a moment to thank you both for the exceptional fine work that you have done and continue to do. I tremble with anticipation for each new episode. Your channel has been, in the borrowed words of Jon Parshall, my gateway drug in to the Pacific War. I have devoured several books written by your guests (i.e. Parshall, McManus, Bruning) and intend to read many more. Again, thank you!
I can personally highly recommend anything by Richard Franks. I'm eagerly awaiting the last two parts of his Asia-Pacific magnum opus, but if you read nothing else then read 'Downfall'
@@jrodowens Thank you for the advice!
I must admit, the first Unauthorized History episode I caught I wasn't sold on the format - it felt like two guys chatting in their living room. Then I watched one with Jon Parshall and was hooked. Now I've finished this episode and am counting the days until the next segment drops! Great job guys.
Two guys chatting in a bar was exactly the intent.
I'm from the Midwest, and I've watched all of your episodes, so Bill's right. I can only watch "How to cut an Onion" so many times, Seth. AND WE NEED MORE VISUALS. AND MAPS AS PUNISHMENT
I haven't watched the video yet (I'm still on your Saipan episodes), but just wanted to add that my paternal grandfather was either a machinist or carpenter aboard USS Wayne APA-54, which operated off of Orange Beach landing 'various elements of the First Marine Division and a Naval Communication Team,' providing a beach party that wasn't able to make it ashore until 1730 on D-day. All my dad ever heard about that was a Japanese aircraft buzzing around at night, and that they were briefly shot at. Wayne's AAR indicates they handled just under 200 casualties, and suffered a few of their own KIA in the beach party (a direct hit from a mortar or artillery shell in a foxhole). My grandfather decided to stay in the Navy for about a year post-war and took part in fitting of cameras and other sensor equipment to the drones for Crossroads Able and Crossroads Baker.
Wayne's AAR makes for interesting reading, from the beachmaster complaining about when they were landed ('The outcome of a campaign is not influenced by having twenty-five men in fox holes, at the water's edge, under constant enemy fire, waiting for forty-eight hours until the task for which they went ashore can be started.') to the Senior Medical Officer recommending improving how the night casualty receiving ships were marked, since their name was frequently unknown to Wayne's crew and they did not know where to redirect casualty boats. There was also trouble both with frequent reported mechanical failures in the LVTs, along with Japanese mortar fire at night interfering with LVTs and DUKWs in the one channel through the reef they cleared early on. They did serve one night as casualty receiving ship off Orange Beach, keeping station 1200-2000 yards off the reef. Anyone able to clarify for me the difference between a shore party and the beach party?
Great listen today can’t wait to hear the other 2, nothings more fascinating than American heroism
Finally. I've been waiting for this episode. I read with the old breed before the pacific was made and have been fascinated with the battle of peleliu and negasibus. I can't spell that 2nd one. Thank you guys
Me too.
I can't wait for y'all to have Dave back next week gentlemen, I'm looking forwars to another fantastic episode
Thanks Seth and Bill, this episode was difficult emotionally to handle. War was hell brought to life very vividly by your presentation today. Your explanation of the Japanese learning from their previous failures helped me gain a more accurate understanding that they were not just irrationally suicidal in their methods. There was a method to their madness.
You guys are superb. Teaching this Brit veteran about The Pacific War and what those incredible heroes endured and the horrors they lived through and had to live with. Keep up the fantastic work, guys.
My wife’s grandfather was in the 1st Marine Division. He fought in every campaign of the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific. He said more than once that Peleliu was the worst. He only spoke to me about the war a couple times. It was clear that his experiences and what he had to endure at Peleliu, especially Bloody Nose Ridge, haunted him.
A salty old gunny with K 3/5 after Pelilu told his troops "I can't do another one these" however, he sucked it up when these same guys took down Okinawa and closed the deal.
Florence Risley? Melbourne?
@@jonhenson5450 He had quite a few stories about Okinawa too. He never said it this way, but seemed to be a notch down in intensity for him compared to Pelelieu. His stories about going out with a squad on Bloody Nose Ridge, and being one of three that came back were haunting.
@@jonhenson5450 He did have stories about Melbourne. Those were the good times. He had horror stories in a different way about Pavuvu. The Pacific didn’t portray it tough enough. My grandfather in law, who was a sergeant by Okinawa, but not a gunny, treated Pavuvu like it was another campaign when they first landed.
@@TheBruceGday yes sir. Because of the G'day reference, I wonder if he's R.V Burgin, I know he went back to Oz and married after the war. I met him at book signing along with author Bill Sloan. He was Sledge's squad leader. SGT. R.V Burgin, Jewett,TX
Seth, has anyone published anything on the details on the actual Japanese defense network system and perhaps how it was accomplished in such a “relatively” short period of time?
Kinda from an engineer perspective.
All I’ve ever really able to find are a paragraph at the most contained in things I’ve read on battle.
Super cool first part looking forward to the rest.
It has taken me months but I have finally caught up and watched all episodes. In spite of your ongoing carping about MacArthur, I thank you for this amazing effort. Selfishly, I hope it never ends. Keep up the good work.
Thanks guys,
I am happy you are back to your normal schedule of podcasts.
And thanks again for upending my understanding of yet another battle. Your depth of understanding and insight of the subject matter is rather incredible.
Cool, 2 more parts to go.
Thank you again !
Amazing you guys can do a 1 1/2 hour show and it never lags.
Nope. My Dad's outfit, the 517th RPCT was the baddest bunch of dudes anywhere. Anzio, Maritime Alps, The Bulge, The Hurtgen. Dad missed the Hurtgen thank the Lord. His left foot was blown nearly completely off the day before the Americans retook St. Vith. Once when I was young I told him somehow I was under the impression that the krauts had got him early in the Bulge. He said with feeling "I wish the f*ck they HAD! It would've saved me a MONTH of being out in that f*ckin' cold!" He meant it. That whole generation was something else. Dad died in the VA hospital in Portland Oregon in 1999. They saved his foot by the way.
Gerald Astor wrote about them in his book "The Battling Buzzards: The Odyssey of the 517th Regimental Parachute Combat Team".
Thank you for the history lesson and great presentation, the maps helped. Hope the aerial recognizance improved and the mistakes made on Peleliu saved lives later on.
Great episode. Thank you.
Operation Stalemate II, the world's first sequel. Many would follow.
Kudos on your work gentlemen. I enjoyed it so much, I've started rewatching the entire series again from the start. 🦀🇦🇺✌️
Me too!
Lightbulb! Almost 60 years old and now I finally know how the Pacific Taskforce numbering was structured.
Excellent.
History is beautiful subject wise
There were many dominoes that fell before the Peleliu invasion began, but the leadership of Rupertus was also an issue. McManus said it was fatal pride, I think Rupertus was combat ineffective. Leading up to the battle General Rupertus had been on temporary duty in Washington during most of his division's planning. For the initial invasion Rupertus refused reinforcements from the Army's 81st Division and then he broke an ankle at Guadalcanal during a landing practice for Peleliu. His foot was in a cast, but Geiger learned of this too late to make a change in divisional command. Rupertus did not visit any of his regimental command posts until D+4 and then was not willing to even admit that his division needed reinforcements. Thankfully Geiger overruled him and ordered the 321st (RCT), 81st Inf Div to be attached to the Marines. For an island that should of been bypassed, this type of leadership certainly did not help.
I hope they talk about Gunny Haney! (just started listening)
Last week I finished reading "With the Old Breed" because I knew this episode was coming
We did
@@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWarI must have missed it this episode. Great reason to re-watch it! I guess my comment pertains less to the battle itself and more towards hearing your dialogue on Sledge's (pretty humorous) description of Haney and his peculiarities (ie: showering with a bristle brush or bayonet practice). I thought the quote "I felt as though he was not a man born of woman, but that God had issued him to the Marine Corps" summed up Haney pretty well lol
And Capt Haldane.
Great show gentlemen.
I await your vids patiently. Thank You the convo.
I’ve been waiting for this topic since I first found your channel shortly after you began. You have been awesome and I thank you for your efforts in telling the story of the Pacific War in depth.
101st Airborne was "tougher than woodpecker lips" from D-Day through Bastogne, Market Garden and to the very end of the war. Not sure if those divisions would have fared any differently if they were switched between the Pacific and European theaters of operation. Their small unit leadership was superb and they trained well for the battles they were asked to win.
As mentioned by Seth in the podcast, the 82nd might be the strongest contender in the American arsenal. The 101st gets all the glory in WW2 but the 82nd was the shield that broke the German offensive's back during the Bulge.
@@jrodowens indeed. 82nd had a significantly longer combat record than the 101 did as well. 3rd ID also ranks very high on the list. Same with 1stID.
Agreed. They stopped sepp detreichs main assault west in its tracks. He was very well known for severe brutality, but ALWAYS got the job done,,, until he ran into the 82nd. The 82nd held him off until US 3rd armored got there to help. They kicked detreichs azz.
Piper snuck south AROUND the 82nd, made it to Celles Belgium with 2nd ss panzer, where US 2nd armored totally destroyed him.
The 82nd was one helluva tough outfit.
But everyone talks about Bastone.
I wish we could get Seth & Capt Bill to do the Battle of the Bulge.
Other than Courtney Hodges war diary " From D Day to Victory, " nobody has really ever told the truth about that battle. Too many "allies" ALWAYS try to take credit for what 🇺🇸WE🇺🇸 OUR SOLDIERS DID...
After 80 years, it's about time SOMEONE tells the WHOLE truth about it.
And Seth & Captain Bill would be just the guys to do it. 😊
@@jrodowens
Don’t you just laugh out loud at “tougher than woodpecker lips”. I’ve added it to my lexicon/conversation 😂😂😂
@@carolmoore5307 Seth should like this saying. 😁
Ever hear - " Tougher than John Wayne toilet paper. "
In the 1980s army that's what we called C ration toilet paper. Which were dated 1944 to 1953.
We called it "John Wayne toilet paper" . Because it was rough & tough, & didnt take poop off anyone.
The army was big on using wax to preserve things. Worked like a charm on C & K ration food cans, ammo cans, etc.
On other things,,, not so much.
Imagine trying to do your business with really coarse , basically non absorbent, WAX infused toilet paper. 🤬 😂
Good morning, SC in the house! This is a big series, been looking forward to this one, the Japanese tactics changed and many moving parts to this battle....brutal battle!
Dave Holland is one the best ... I like his site very much also. 👍
Just finished reading the old breed…
Unbelievable, the most detailed first hand account of what it was like on pelelui.
Literal hell on earth
I too would put the 1st marines against any other infantry division.
Those men are sincerely as bad ass as it gets 💯
This is one of the big ones I’ve been waiting for. So glad you guys are taking your time to give as much info as you can in these three episodes.
Excellent episode. Looking forward to next week.
Thank you, Gentlemen.
Re the scarcity of water, ask a marathon (or 5K!) runner about their performance when under hydrated. Carrying equipment and fighting while dehydrated would have been hellacious.
Good Morning all.
Another great episode.
See you next week (and throughout the week with replays)
Thanks Guys.
The Mississippi River bluff behind my house rises about 550 feet. Gives me a good idea of the elevations involved. Regarding Peleliu that's a lot of coral. Thanks.
10 years ago I had the good fortune to spend five days walking Peleliu with a GPS and a map from the Japanese Army back in 1943. So much of the history is still there. On the ground and in hundreds of Japanese caves. Palau and Peleliu are beautiful. It's hard to imagine the brutality of WWII. Thank you for posting this video.
Thank you, gentlemen. Another enjoyable and informative fireside chat.
My uncle was with the First Marines at Chosin- he never talked about what happened, but for decades he hated the Marines.
Later he seem to be proud- but he took that story to his grave.
30:44. When reading through his memoirs. Halsey mentioned that when the time came for him to take over from Spruance. He initially considered a carrier for his flagship. It just so happened that his old flagship Enterprise was in Pearl Harbor at the same time as New Jersey was. But his staff insisted on him using New Jersey as flagship due to her size, specifically her larger flag quarters and the fact that as a Battleship, she could take a hit better than a carrier.
Happy the regular series is back at it!
It’s a family event when you post a new episode. We gather around the tv after dinner and settle in for some history. Great job!
I love that Seth used "arguably the best" with the 1st Marines. I could certainly argue that, though I think you could also argue 82nd, 101st, 1st ID, 3rd ID, and the 7th ID . Those sorts of "arguments" are either the case for books or for friendly (if sometimes a bit heated), discussions at the bar. Saying this as a former 2ID Soldier, our lineage is also pretty great. ;)
No doubt. Indianheads are bad ass and always have been. And let me be clear, which I guess I was not…I was referring to Sept 1944. 1st Mar Div was tops at that time. Unequaled. 101 is not in the conversation. They had one combat op in which they were in contact with the enemy for less than two months total. So they are not even in the same universe. Combat experience and cadre…1st Mar all the way in Sept 44. No doubt.
@@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar - I'll accept that, well reasoned and a fun discussion. 101st really comes into it's own and secured it's "rendezvous with destiny" at the Bulge. Great point on the 1st MARDIV and I had a small sip of whiskey reading it. ;). Listening to Peleliu today was rough. As always, you guys are respectful, well informed, and had a great guest (Dave Holland) on. Cheers. Keep doing what you do!
The first and third ID weren't really made up of multi-year vets anymore. They had already gone through multiple high casualty battles. Still good units but not many Veterans of the 42 and 43 fighting left by September 1944.
My Father went ashore on a UDT scouting mission to identify Japanese strong-points before the Marines landed. I have heard these stories growing up but I can't listen to them now. I'll join you again when the war shifts to the Philippines.
Boy, do you guys do a swell job!
Another excellent video, informative and well presented.
Yes, it happens when Iwo, Guadalcanal, Okinawa and Battle of Midway get much interest.
Capt. Everett Pope, (USMC, C.M.O.H. recipient) for that battle specifically on a hill that he and his men fought on, most of his men died/wounded, ran out of ammo, had very few grenades and began rolling rocks down towards the Japanese to create hesitancy.
This I'm sure will hopefully outlined, it was a useless mission according to Capt. Pope, who retired as a Major in USMC.
What was Admiral King's position on the Palaus? Not long ago, you guys brought out an interesting episode where Nimitz had recently cozied up a bit (or appeared to) with MacArthur in making some proposals, and had been sharply rebuked by King for doing so. Could it be that, despite the Forager success, Nimitz still perceived that he had relatively low "political capital" to try bucking King again on altering already-approved plans? Or perhaps felt that he had already burned what he currently had in getting the Leyte acceleration approved? I'm not at all trying to "shift blame" from Nimitz to King; I don't even know if King had a strong opinion or weighed in on the matter. Just trying like anyone else to make some sense of this inexplicably-boneheaded and very uncharacteristic Nimitz move.
More of that "cozying up" is coming
Thank you both.
Another great one. looking forward to part 2 and 3.
Robert MacNamara...I had many good years of employment out here in Aussie because of him. He cause the development and production of an aircraft we bought - the F-111.
This is a terrible battle, and a great presentation.
Great show… keep the resumes going is my vote. Also, occasionally rotating left and right screen presentation, of which you have done in the past is a good twist also…
S
Excellent!!!
The 81st ID trained for amphibious landings in my home town of Morro Bay, California, January- March 1944.
Guys your passion is infectious.... great work
Outstanding content as usual gentlemen.
The Pacific Episode 5 on Peleliu rocked me to my core
Your intro is long well deserved. Nothing but respect for you both!!! 🇺🇲
A great episode thanks.
Learned something new.
I was always under the impression it was MacArthur that absolutely insisted on Peleliu.
Me also thought this it was Mac’s decision….that’s why I burned his book (only book I have ever burned). This along with the way he treated Skinny Wainwright at the surrender of Japan. His treatment of Ichlenburg(?), Aussies, etc., etc.,…..😮