Posted on Jun 19, 2015
Lost WWII Combat Footage of U.S. Marines Taking Peleliu
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US Marines Intense Combat Footage Battle of Peleliu and Ngesebus Island WW2 w/ Sound
US Marines in Heavy Combat Operations on Peleliu and Ngesebus Island WW2 with sound. Mainly shot from a ridge overlooking the battlefield, this film gives th...
Called, “The bitterest battle of the war for the Marines,” the Battle of Peleliu was a decisive victory in the Pacific Theater and a pivotal, strategic stronghold in defeating the Japanese in WWII.
In one month the 1st Marine Division suffered 5,000 casualties on the island.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEZCNTedeEk
In one month the 1st Marine Division suffered 5,000 casualties on the island.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEZCNTedeEk
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 10
This footage of our Devil Dogs show further show why the men during WWII are known as the Greatest Generation!
The 1st MARDIV suffered 5,000 casualties in a month....you want to know how fierce the fighting was, look at the angle of the big guns, the artillery was firing virtually without any elevation! Thank you for sharing this footage!
The 1st MARDIV suffered 5,000 casualties in a month....you want to know how fierce the fighting was, look at the angle of the big guns, the artillery was firing virtually without any elevation! Thank you for sharing this footage!
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LTC Bink Romanick
Direct fire is devastating...my dad fought in the Pacific...tough fighting...gave real meaning to the term close combat!
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My dad and his shipmates picture taken aboard the USS Burfish after doing the recon of Peleilu. My dad is the person with the knife.
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From all accounts Peleliu was a tough nut to crack. The film showing the tank-infantry cooperation was interesting and having served with tanks , it was interesting to see them maneuver in that restricted terrain. The flame weapons employment was interesting to see as well. It is my understanding that flame weapons are no longer used.
Great film of hard combat.
Stay on the tank.
Great film of hard combat.
Stay on the tank.
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Great footage of a fierce battle. Somewhere I have one of the US Military official histories of this battle.
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LTC Stephen F.
Well not exactly a sniper shot Jim, more like recon for fire. I have been interested in WWII for over 45 years and have hundreds of books on the War. You don't usually see the name Peleliu very often except in USMC history. I watched the footage and am pretty sure I have seen in before so it really isn't "Lost Combat Footage."
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SSG(P) D. Wright Downs
As a Soldier who was responsible for unit history, I have envy when it comes to the Marines who are so dedicated to their history. I went to Defense schools and learned first hand how the Corps honored its history. Trying to get input from the Battalions and/or jut batteries on what they did was a chicken teeth maneuver. Fortunately, I had wonderful command backup when I had to pull in the big guns. Too bad too many do not realize the day to day work may one day be something that is spectacular in historical terms. We found that out in pre-WWII days in Germany.
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LTC Stephen F.
Well stated SSG(P) D. Wright Downs, I certainly hope that more of those currently serving soldiers understand the importance of recording what may seem like mundane activities in areas of operations as well as at home station. Notes, pictures, etc, will prove very useful to future generations.
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Awesome historical approach with much respect to the Marines.
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I was able to visit the island back in 98. I could never find words to explain what I saw. Tons of equipment is still there untouched. As we walked around the stories we were told came to light. I have been to several battle grounds, but this one touched me the most. Several things we saw are still fresh in my mind; the radio with a bullet hole through it, pair of boots, helmets riddled with holes a knocked out Japanese and American tank locked in battle so close they could have spit on each other.. Mostly is the story of Capt Pope USMChttp://http://www.sptimes.com/2005/08/28/Worldwarii/A_hero_s_hill_that_no.shtml
What isn't printed is what Pope did when he and his wife went back. They were riding in a vehicle touring the island. Pope yelled to the driver to stop. He jumped out and RAN up HIS hill. Pope hill. As he ran he picked up rocks reciting the names of his men that died that day. He made it half way up the hill before his son retrieved him.
I had the honor of climbing Pope hill. I can't find the words to express what he and his men went through to take that steep hill under constant fire.
What isn't printed is what Pope did when he and his wife went back. They were riding in a vehicle touring the island. Pope yelled to the driver to stop. He jumped out and RAN up HIS hill. Pope hill. As he ran he picked up rocks reciting the names of his men that died that day. He made it half way up the hill before his son retrieved him.
I had the honor of climbing Pope hill. I can't find the words to express what he and his men went through to take that steep hill under constant fire.
Worldwarii: A hero's hill that no one needed
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The greatest generation! What you did for our great nation will never be forgotten. Semper Fi!
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Great story. Thanks for the intel. 5,000 in a month. It makes you wonder how anyone survived until the end of the war.
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The 1st Marine Division didn't as so much take the island as more fought to a stalemate. Two regiments of the 81st Infantry Division, the 321 and the 323 replaced the 1st Marine Regiment under then Marine Corp legend, COL "Chesty" Puller and another unit early in the fighting. The 81st eventually replaced all the Marines and the fighting went on for about six more weeks until the island was secure. The 1st Marine Divison was so devastated after the September 1944 invasion of Peleliu that they would be out of the fight until the Battle of Okinawa the following April. There have been several books written about the battle from the Marines perspective of the fight where the 81st just seems to be a footnote listed as just coming in to do the cleanup. Not so much. Here is the one book that tells the story from the Army and the 81st Infantry Division's point of view.
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I really appreciate everyone's efforts to keep us in touch with our rich military heritage. This footage is awesome and I hope the powers that be do that restoration stuff and put this out to the History Channel type shows, National Archives, etc. I have a hard time viewing them since I got married to a Japanese woman who lost her grandpa in the war. As you can imagine, their citizens don't learn the history of WWII in quite the same way. It must be a really hard pill to swallow. Their focus is on the sacrifice of the military for their country. I told her it is the same thing for us.
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