The invasion of Peleliu reminds the speaker of the grand strategy of the Japanese in taking over island chains, forcing the Allies to face high costs and intense defenses. Despite being controversial as to whether it should have happened, it was a significant event in history.
The controversial decisions behind the inclusion of the island chain containing Peleliu in the list and the plans to tackle Iwo Jima after a quick operation the Navy wants to take care of are discussed in this extract.
The invasion of Peleliu by Japanese forces was part of their strategy to force Allied powers to take the islands at high cost. The harsh conditions at Peleliu remind us of the ferocity of the Pacific War.
The battle of Iwo Jima during World War II saw the Marines land into heavily fortified and well-prepared defenses that were designed by Japanese engineers with blast walls of reinforced concrete or oil drums filled with coral protecting the entrances to the caves, which often faced each other, and required the Americans to assault them head-on.