Peleliu Battlefield

The small, quiet island of Peleliu, at the southern end of Palau, was the scene of one of the most ferocious and costly battles of the Second World War's Pacific campaign, a brutal 1944 struggle that claimed many thousands of American and Japanese lives. Today, this peaceful, jungle-covered island is a moving open-air memorial, where the dense greenery has slowly reclaimed the battlefield. Rusting tanks, artillery, downed aircraft and other relics lie amid the forest, alongside caves where defenders held out, memorials to the fallen of both sides, and a small museum, all bearing sombre witness to the terrible fighting.

History

Peleliu was traditionally divided into five villages whose sites survive in oral tradition. Spain sold Palau to Germany in 1899 and control passed to Japan in 1914; in 1944 the island saw the Battle of Peleliu, fought by the United States Marine Corps and Army against Japanese forces dug into the caves of the Umurbrogol Mountains, and war memorials on the island now honour the American and Japanese dead (Wikipedia, Peleliu).

Highlights

• The battlefield relics - the rusting tanks, guns and aircraft in the jungle.
• The caves and bunkers - the fortified positions of the defenders.
• The memorials - the monuments to the fallen of both sides.
• The war museum - the small museum telling the battle's story.

When to go

November to April, the drier season, for the most comfortable conditions to explore the jungle sites; Peleliu is reached by boat or small plane from Koror and toured with a local guide, who brings the history and locations to life. Allow a full day and a respectful, reflective frame of mind.

Things to know

This is a place of remembrance where a horrific battle claimed thousands of lives, not a conventional attraction, so it should be approached with respect and quiet; the relics lie scattered through the jungle and are best understood with a knowledgeable guide, and facilities on the sleepy island are minimal. For those interested in Pacific War history, though, or seeking to pay respects, Peleliu is a deeply moving and evocative place amid beautiful, peaceful surroundings.

Nearby

The Rock Islands and the diving sites of southern Palau are nearby.

Key facts