Peleliu’s Forgotten World War II Battlefield

Peleliu’s Forgotten World War II Battlefield

Image and Video Gallery

This page contains photos and videos associated with the Peleliu’s Forgotten World War II Battlefield expedition. Click on any image or video to view a larger version and for additional information.

A section of the southern invasion beach with the historic UDT blast zones map overlaying a modern aerial.

Map of Invasion Beach

The historic UDT blast zones map overlaying a modern aerial.

Kailey Pascoe documenting a narrow blast channel between two undamaged areas.

Documenting a Blast Channel

Kailey Pascoe documenting a narrow blast channel between two undamaged areas.

The edge of the reef suddenly drops off to a rock and rubble filled channel.

The edge of the reef suddenly drops off to a rock and rubble filled channel.

Corals that are more robust predominate in the blast zone.

Corals that are more robust predominate in the blast zone.

Three-dimensional image of an LVT (A)-4 dumped offshore of Camp Beck.

Three-dimensional image of an LVT (A)-4 dumped offshore of Camp Beck.

Bulldozers on the Peleliu shoreline after the successful capture of the southern beaches.

Bulldozers on the Peleliu shoreline after the successful capture of the southern beaches.

Nearly intact bulldozer off Orange beach.

Nearly intact bulldozer off Orange beach.

Tracks from a Sherman tank exposed at low tide.

Tracks from a Sherman tank exposed at low tide.

Wheel rims and axels from a DUKW exposed during low tide.

Wheel rims and axels from a DUKW exposed during low tide.

Drawing of DUKW from U.S. Army Service Manual.

Drawing of DUKW from U.S. Army Service Manual.

Aerial view of a possible LCM in the shallow lagoon off the Orange Beaches.

Aerial view of a possible LCM in the shallow lagoon off the Orange Beaches.

The LCM in Peleliu is likely similar to this LCM3 offloading a bulldozer on Okinawa in April 1945.

The LCM in Peleliu is likely similar to this LCM3 offloading a bulldozer.

Aerial view of the aircraft wing at low tide in the lagoon.

Aerial view of the aircraft wing at low tide in the lagoon.

Toni Carrell examining a recently exposed Japanese gun eroding out of a defensive position.

Toni Carrell examining a recently exposed Japanese gun eroding out of a defensive position.

Section of an August 1945 Japanese defensive plan.

Japanese Defensive Plan

Section of an August 1945 Japanese defensive plan.

Amphibious tractors approach the northern beaches on D-Day, 15 September 1944.

Amphibious Tractors

Amphibious tractors approach the northern beaches on D-Day, 15 September 1944.

Location of Palau, Peleliu, and the project area.

Location of Project Area

Location of Palau, Peleliu, and the project area.

Aerial view of UDT operations blasting through the fringing reef.

Aerial view of UDT operations blasting through the fringing reef.

The two-pronged battle plan to the Japanese home islands went through Palau to the Philippines.

The two-pronged battle plan to the Japanese home islands went through Palau to the Philippines.

The first wave of LVT(A)s move toward the invasion beaches, passing through the inshore bombardment line of LCI gunboats, 15 September 1944.

The first wave of LVT(A)s move toward the invasion beaches, 15 September 1944.

Andy Anderson, GM1/c, of UDT7, with a J-13 mine at Peleliu. This type of ‘horned’ mine was particularly dangerous because it was so unstable.

Underwater Demolition Team Member

Andy Anderson, GM1/c, of UDT7, with a J-13 mine at Peleliu.

Marines on two LVT(A)s examine a sunk Japanese landing barge that was carrying reinforcements to Peleliu.

Marines on LVT(A)s

Marines on two LVT(A)s examine a sunk Japanese landing barge carrying reinforcements to Peleliu.

Marines riding in the cargo hold of an LVT headed for beaches of Tinian Island near Guam. July 1944.

Marines on an LVT

Marines riding in the cargo hold of an LVT headed for beaches of Tinian Island near Guam. July 1944.

Image depicting the LVT grouser assembly. Grousers acted as paddles in the water and provided traction on land.

LVT Grouser Assembly

Image depicting the LVT grouser assembly. Grousers acted as paddles in the water and provided traction on land.

Example of 3D reef reconstructions at multiple scales.

3D Reef Reconstructions

Example of 3D reef reconstructions at multiple scales.

Textured 3D models of archeological wrecks surveyed in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

3D Wreck Models

Textured 3D models of archeological wrecks surveyed in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Archaeologists using pencil and Mylar to record World War II sites in Saipan.

Recording Sites

Archaeologists using pencil and Mylar to record World War II sites in Saipan.

Time-lapse video of photogrammetric survey on the Pillar Dollar Wreck in Biscayne National Park, Florida.

Photogrammetric Survey

Time-lapse video of photogrammetric survey on the Pillar Dollar Wreck in Biscayne National Park, Florida.

Screen capture of an Aichi E31A Japanese aircraft in Saipan.

Japanese Aircraft

Screen capture of an Aichi E31A Japanese aircraft in Saipan.

D-Day Landing on the invasion beaches by American forces.

D-Day Landing on the invasion beaches by American forces.

Some of the initial KOCOA features identified in primary accounts including the landing beaches, reef, and extensive ridgelines.

Some of the initial KOCOA features identified in primary accounts including the landing beaches, reef, and extensive ridgelines.