Military Model Scene

Title: Battle of Peleliu 1944
Author: Jim Moran
Publisher: Frontline Books
ISBN: 978-1-52677-821-5

A new addition to the ever popular Images of War series, author Jim Moran turns his attention to this drawn out island invasion in the second half of 1944. The sub-title tells you a lot before you even open the first page, 'Three Days that Turned into Three Months'. A 241-page soft cover book.
Following the Introduction, this collection of archive images is spread across 8 chapters. Each one begins with the appropriate background text to set the scene for each selection of images, each of which in turn has more information within their captioning. An operation to secure the flank for the US to re-occupy the Philippines, it starts by considering the plans of not only the American attackers, but also the Japanese defenders. This leads naturally into a look at the Opposing Forces and Commanders. D-Day on Peleliu was 15 September 1944, an operation that the US commanders thought would be over in a few days, but while they quickly established their position on the island, it would drag on until November before the island was finally secured. There were other, smaller islands that were also taken but the fighting for the main island, with the airfield and Umurbrogol Heights taking a heavy toll. The images show the result of the heavy bombardments, which stripped the island of much of its' foliage, the use of the LVT in the landings themselves, as well as other tanks and artillery that was used by both sides. Conditions varied, from the landing beaches to the many caves that the Japanese used so effectively for their defences. The casualty figures quoted in the final chapter, 'Aftermath' are somewhat sobering.
This was a bloody fight, but the equipment superiority of the US forces at this stage in the war is very evident, but the fighting was a slog. In the Chronology that is included, it notes that 1 Japanese Lieutenant and 26 men didn't surrender until April 1947! A really interesting read from an author who is an expert on the history of the US Marines and the photos offer lots of diorama ideas and detail for modellers, as well as the basic interest for historians.
Thanks to Pen & Sword for our review copy.

Robin