M4A2 Sherman of company A, 1st Tank Battalion Advancing on Peleliu 1944

Operation Stalemate: Peleliu, September 1944, was one of the most contentious and grueling battles of the Pacific Theater during World War II. Part of the broader effort to secure the Palau Islands, the assault on Peleliu by the 1st Marine Division became notorious for the unexpectedly fierce resistance from the entrenched Japanese defenders and the harsh conditions the Marines faced.

Overview:

Peleliu, a small coral island in the Palaus, was highly fortified, with caves, tunnels, and strongpoints that were reminiscent of the earlier bloody fight for Tarawa but on a larger scale. The island was considered strategically important for its airfield, which the U.S. wanted to use for operations aimed at the Philippines.
The 1st Marine Division landed on Peleliu on September 15, 1944, marking the start of a brutal campaign that lasted over two months, far longer than anticipated.

Initial Assault and Tank Engagements:

The 1st Marine Tank Battalion faced heavy opposition from the outset. Japanese artillery and anti-tank guns inflicted significant losses on the Marines’ tanks, with many being hit as soon as they reached shore.
The most dramatic moment of the day occurred when the Japanese 14th Infantry Division launched a counterattack with about 15 Type 95 Ha-go light tanks across the island’s airstrip. The Japanese tanks were lightly armored, armed with 37mm guns, and had infantry riding on them in 55-gallon drums lashed to the sides and rears.
The Marine response was devastating. Armed with bazookas, .50 caliber machine guns, 37mm antitank guns, 75mm self-propelled guns, and support from M4A2 Sherman tanks and naval gunfire, the Marines quickly overwhelmed the Japanese tanks. The Ha-gos were no match for the Marines’ firepower.

Armor vs. Armor:

Initially, Marine tankers were puzzled as to why their armor-piercing (AP) ammunition seemed ineffective against the Japanese tanks, with rounds passing straight through. It soon became clear that the Type 95’s thin armor was simply too light, and the AP rounds were over-penetrating.
The Marine tankers switched to high explosive (HE) rounds, which proved far more effective, tearing the small Japanese tanks apart.
After the battle, it was difficult to ascertain exactly how many Japanese tanks had been used in the attack, as many were completely destroyed by the intense fire.

Flamethrower Tanks:

In the difficult terrain of Peleliu, flamethrowers proved to be one of the most effective weapons for dealing with entrenched Japanese positions. The 1st Tank Battalion had a limited number of flamethrower-equipped tanks, armed with the E4-5 auxiliary flamethrower, but they were not enough to meet the needs of the battlefield.
More significantly, the Navy employed six LVT-4 amtracs, modified with the Navy Mark I flamethrower. These amphibious vehicles had a much larger 200-gallon fuel tank and a range of about 100 yards. However, the LVTs were lightly armored and vulnerable to enemy fire, leading to the conclusion that a tank-mounted flamethrower would be more effective due to better protection.

Casualties and Equipment Losses:

The battle for Peleliu was costly for the 1st Tank Battalion. Of its 31 officers, nine were killed and 13 wounded. Nearly all of the battalion’s 45 M4A2 tanks were knocked out of action at some point during the battle, but only nine were total losses. Many were damaged multiple times, but because of the difficult terrain and limited technical support, keeping the tanks operational was a constant struggle.
On average, only half of the battalion’s tanks were operational on a day-to-day basis.

Conclusion:

The Battle of Peleliu became a symbol of the high cost of island warfare in the Pacific. Despite the overwhelming firepower and technological superiority of the Marines, the battle was protracted and bloody, as the Japanese forces used the island’s natural features and extensive fortifications to their advantage. The intense combat, especially in difficult terrain, illustrated the limitations of armor in the Pacific and highlighted the need for specialized vehicles and tactics, such as tank-mounted flamethrowers, to overcome entrenched positions.