The Invasion of Peleliu Part 2 of 3-Operation STALEMATE II with guest Dave Holland-Episode 321

[@laytonalldredge3948]

I have waded ashore at White Beach 2, walked across the airfield and climbed into the old control tower. I have traveled up Bloody Nose Ridge and looked into the “Horseshoe.” For me this episode was an emotional journey and I am, once again, reminded of how much we owe to the “greatest generation.”

[@haveUSPwilltravel]

Walking around Peleliu is quite a sobering experience. I would love to go back. Also worth mentioning, I’m pretty sure that the Palauans are probably the nicest people on the planet.

[@stevewilson7819]

I saw an interview with MOH recipient Capt Everett Pope. I found him to be refreshingly candid in his assessment of Chesty Puller. He said tactically his competence was limited to that of a platoon commander and that was about it. I think it’s the only time I’ve ever heard a Marine officer speaking critically of Puller. But I can certainly understand why. And why the survivors of the 1st Marines hated him by the end of the battle. Overall it sounds like several senior Marine commanders fell short and the enlisted Marines paid for it with their lives. Which is why the battle for Peleliu isn’t that well known. Well.. that and the fact it was an invasion that should have been canceled. That it essentially destroyed the combat effectiveness of a division for nothing. it wasn’t a real high point in military history.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Yeah, Ev was not a fan of Chesty.

[@stevewilson7819]

@@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar I served a total of 23 years in the Marine Corps and saw him differently than most. I guess you could call me a heretic. Really enjoy your podcast. Keep up the good work👍🏻

[@castlecircle7612]

Tuesdays are becoming my favorite day of the work week. Thank You Bill and Seth.

[@JerrelBaker-vo8xv]

In one of the videos you were wondering why some Navy ship were nick naming their ship Maru. It is because they were carrying deadly supplies for Japanese ship

[@gdolson9419]

As a retired USMC GySgt I totally agree you MUST, at all costs, push forward from the beach. Only then can you bring stuff like artillery, supplies, casualty evac, reinforcements, etc. into play. If two squads suffer 50% losses combine them into one squad and push forward. Remember it's a beach landing, you CAN NOT fall back and try again tomorrow. You can not wait for reinforcements because there's no place to land them. Can, do, generals expect to much to fast? OF COURSE they do. But for the grunt in the sharp end it's literally do or die, so they don't have a choice, push forward or die in place.

[@elwin38]

Semper Fidelis Gunny!! From a US Navy sailor who served in the gator Navy(USS Belleau Wood LHA-3).

[@dianeduffcroop8158]

Good comment, Gunny! While I never served, I grew up in a family that was steeped in military tradition. My dad was a veteran of World War II, US Navy Central, and South Pacific. My mother was in the woman's Army Air corps as WAC and was part of a unit that ferried/flew B-17s from the Boeing plant here in Seattle down to Southern California for deployment to the Pacific. Also, I almost forgot to mention this, my grandfather was a medic in the US Army during World War I in France. So you can imagine the conversations around the dinner table when my folks had friends that were also veterans of the war. Your comment resonated deeply with me as it's exactly the kind of opinion my father would have expressed at that dinner table. I was too young to go to Vietnam, but most definitely would have gone had I been old enough. I did have friends that went over there, and a couple of them came back fine, and then there were a few that came back just completely wrecked. One was a heroin addict and a couple of others we're severe cases of PTSD and became homeless before homelessness was an issue. So, at the risk of sounding cliche, Gunny, thank you for your service!🇺🇲⚓️🙏💯💖

[@carlhull8276]

My father MSgt Charles H Hull of the 7th was there, I have not been able to watch y'all's first episode nor the second so far,,, I can only cry

[@lt.petemaverickmitchell7113]

God bless your father Carl!

[@RichardAnderson-uy6sl]

I am a retired MGySgt who served a tour on instructor duty in the air wing. Our OIC, a major Cobra helicopter pilot, used to say, “Don’t let your can-do turn into do-do.” I believe Cline Eastwood said a man has got to know his limitations. Both General Rupertus and Chesty were combat fatigued and lost sight of the leadership principle of employing your command within its capabilities. Common sense is probably the first loss in the fog of war.

[@Dee-nonamnamrson8718]

Thank you for your service.

[@markfrumkin3230]

Thank you! I feel broken inside right now. Those poor boys, we owe them so much.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Yes we do

[@m.r.donovan8743]

@@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar You're of course correct. We do owe them. We owe it to them never to forget their heroism or sacrifice... and people like Bill, Seth, and Dave are doubling down on that by TEACHING others what those men did to preserve freedom on this Earth.

[@billboy0]

I look forward to the weekly episodes as ever. Seeing Dave Holland will always be a welcome sight.

[@hurch1915]

I never knew what Hell Peleliu must have been. Gentlemen, as usual, your descriptions of the battle are riveting. Great to see the return of Dave Holland! Many thanks for your presentation of these events.

[@randallreed9048]

Dave Holland is an amazing historian! With a massive bookshelf of knowledge behind him, he weaves his personal USMC experience into the historical narrative. And I love the fact that they voice conflicting opinions and present their arguments for all the world to see. I am addicted to overhearing their honest, informed, debate. You fellas are unique and impressive!!!

[@theodoresmith5272]

I like Dave. He is very smart and knowledgeable. He is sometimes a hard listen though. His channel is very good too.

[@Dee-nonamnamrson8718]

Why is it a hard listen?

[@nkgoodal]

Awesome to have Dave Holland back on the podcast. There's lots to learn from Peleliu. Very interested in hearing more of your and Dave Holland's thoughts on Puller. I think there's some very interesting command (psychology) dynamics at work here. Contrasting Rupertus and Holland Smith with Vandegrift is such a fruitful exercise. Guadalcanal and the Solomans, as you guys have pointed out several times, were great joint operations. Vandegrift's praise for the 164th Infantry Regiment (164th Marines!) was just awesome, as was the truly joint "Cactus Air Force". Sadly, Holland Smith and Rupertus didn't seem to learn the right lessons about the success of those joint operations. It takes every branch doing their part. Saying this as a big fan of the mighty 1st Marine Division (served next to them in Iraq; great organization).

[@flparkermdpc]

Great comment. I am seeing just how much the unrecognized effect of stress degraded command performance as much as it did to the individual soldier.

[@nkgoodal]

@@flparkermdpc- yep. I think managing Rupertus' ambition and ego added another dimension of stress for Puller. Puller is clearly not making great decisions. The level of interservice rivalry and politics seems to only increase as the war progressed towards a more certain US victory. It's as if the most ambitious GOs know there's going to be the post-war discussions that led to the 1947 creation of the DoD.

[@lhartatt]

Good to see you back and hear your accent Mr. Holland.

[@burtrangle3546]

Great job Seth and Bill, you have given a sensitive detail of this grueling conflict, and the web of significant interactions at every level, from command to the struggle of individual marine's and their respective units. Many researched accounts by academics fail to fully depict the sheer effort, toil, and sacrifice laid down by the fighting men in this battle, and in the greater conflict of the pacific theatre. This strikes the perfect balance between overview, critical analysis, and front line, first-hand narratives of the struggle.

[@williampockets]

Good morning to you gentlemen. Thank you for your work.

[@johnferguson1455]

Good to see Mr Holland again. Canberra, great town! Always enjoy a beer at the BentSpoke Brewing Co 😁

[@FlightSimVRDad]

Thanks again Seth and Bill for making Tuesday the best day of the week! So happy to see you classed up the show with the brilliant addition of fellow Marine Dave Holland. Reading with the Old Breed not only brought me to tears, it should be required reading for warriors and those who study them. Semper Fi and keep up the good work.

[@Dee-nonamnamrson8718]

Warriors? It should be required reading for every senior in high school.

[@Hallowshout]

Was waiting for peleliu. It's hard to picture what the 1st went through, but you guys painted it.

[@Kaiju12]

Seth/Bill are second to none. GO ARMY! 🙃🇺🇸

[@jeffreymartin8448]

Listened completely enthralled to Dave Holland during the Guadalcanal series. He has an uncanny ability to make you feel like you're there. Dave Holland is one in a million. PS: Please consider reinstating your intro Capt. Toti? Your fans really dig it !

[@flparkermdpc]

Agreed. We know we're in special, experienced, company at the beginning of each and every episode. I would cheer the long version including Seth's, Bill's and this week's guests(each week). I am betting that there's a line out the door to guest host this podcast now. That was not always the case. Special Thanks to the early supporters, John Parshall, and Dave Holland, who gave extra clout to that seminal period of 1942, the learning period for us all who have been privileged to experience the great lessons and a triumph of storytelling over glossy packaging . Thanks, men.😅❤

[@MrFrikkenfrakken]

It's a good day when a topic is covered by Seth, Bill and Dave. Totally professional work and I learned quite a bit.

[@jeffreybaker4399]

Why do I have the feeling that the "abbreviated resume" has become or will become a standing joke? Another great episode.

[@Steve-dg3md]

Dave... Semper Fi Brother. 7th Marines.. OOoohhraa!! 😅😅

[@giantgeoff]

Bowdoin= bo-din Dad was Bowdoin "49, Sorry for being short not really trying to be critical. I grew up as a history nerd but somehow missed the story about the battle for Pelilu. I learned about it from the audiobook that the series The Pacific was based upon at least a year before the series came out . There was an entire section of the book about the air war not covered in the series which I very much enjoyed. I wasn't too disappointed when I saw that the actor in the role of Chesty Puller was played by the brother of a former employer of mine.

[@flparkermdpc]

I figured we would be hearing from Bowdoin alumni.😂

[@effewe2]

OMG! Those men...we owe them so much.

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

You guys have perfected your game.You left no stone unturned while talking about the savage fighting on this bloody island.So many great men lost for a lot of different reasons to include loosing touch with reality.What a nightmare for so many and to think that we could have bypassed the island.I hope lessons were learned.You guys have hit the high mark on the pacific war history.😊

[@flparkermdpc]

1:28:37 I think we see here in both Puller and Rupertus evidence 😅 trauma stress, but 1:28:37 in Puller. With Rupertus I think he was seeing his reputation for "getting the job done" on the backs of over exposed, worn-out veteran troops endangering his career aspirations. Puller😮 had some of that, but he was past his endurance break point, but refused to acknowledge it, and his pride wouldn't allow him to ask for relief. We see this in higher command people with greater frequency as we get closer to 1944, and as careers are being made as we are approaching war's conclusion..Seth makes this point in one of his analysis comments. I think Adm Mitcher sending out his planes to chase an already beaten Japanese fleet into the darkness😮exhibited terrible judgment causing the deaths of several aircrew. Remember these same aircrew had just wiped out the Japanese naval air arm the day before. Mitcher and the likes of Jocko Clark had target fixation. If I had been Nimitz, I would have given my commanders reasons to sweat their reasons to explain jetissoning "calculated 😮risk" at this time of dominance and plenty.

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

@flparkermdpc Well spoken my friend.Another great example was Mitcher as you stated.That notion was also insane.Like he didn't care about his pilots,he just wanted another notch in his belt.To add chaos with misery and risking loosing more carriers and or battle wagons was when he ordered all the lights of the fleet to be turned on so to guide his empty fuel tank aircraft back to the roost.I have to think that some aircrew were out there floating around cussing him until they became a casualty and were never found because of a over inflated ego!

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

@teamshaboobalu2887 Yes they do team Shangri la.600,000 deaths can be accounted for a war that wasn't about the narrative.The idea of starting a war to free enslaved people was a smoke screen for the real cause.After the war,the slaves had no home and no food.They became wanderers and suffered needlessly for decades after the war.The purpose of the Civil War had different objectives than freeing imprisoned people.

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

@teamshaboobalu2887 How was anyone to know what you were talking about.You must think I have mind control over you,pal.Unlike you, I don't drink poison alcohol or use drugs.I like my self just the way I am,unaltered.

[@lurking0death]

This episode is really well done, guys. You have brought the Grunt's-eye view of things to the fore where it belongs. The public needs to know what the Infantry did to win this war. It is simply an amazing story. Thank you for this.

[@agecon2246]

Extraordinary historical story. Great job all 3 of you.

[@ganndeber1621]

Another well presented and informative video. Nice one

[@billechols7136]

Great to see Dave back on the show. As always, great show gentlemen.

[@JohnnySmithWhite-wd4ey]

Outstanding coverage of a horrific battle. Thank you gentlemen.

[@Gregolec]

Welcome back Dave! Alwats nice to hear you again.

[@Chief-Solarize]

Eugene Sledge aka Sledgehammer!!!! K35 USMC Pelilu veteran I knew id heard that name before. How did 20 year old kids save the freaking world like this , Seth? It humbles me dude. I know i never had to do anything in my 8 yrs of service remotely close to beginning to compare with how extremely brave the Marines were on Pelilu. Im humbled by it man.

[@stuweiss-zi9rc]

The raw edge and depravity of close combat has me almost shaking and crying. How humans do this to one another is beyond me, yet it continues in so many places around the world. I’ve been gripped by E.B. Sledge accounts, both on paper and in audiobook. How humans survive when put in these situations (and many don’t) is really beyond my comprehension. Thanks for shedding light on these tragedies and courage across the Pacific.

[@sce384]

Great job guys! The story of Fred Fox was incredible.

[@jimrobertie8759]

I always watch multiple times, especially when Dave is a guest speaker. As great as Seth and Bill present, Dave's perspective is extraordinary. The best pacific war hx channel by far.

[@billball8955]

Dave is the most easy to learn from expert I can think of. So outstanding!

[@gregcollins7602]

Another awesome Torpedo Tuesday. I really enjoyed the discussion on Pop Haney.

[@marciar7407]

The Marines experience is more horrible than I realized. A nightmare of epic proportions. It is gut-wrenching to remember that many of the Marines were still teenagers or barely in their 20s.

[@MonkeyLiggaScrumptiousNan]

Yeah legally they were all “adults” but in all honesty the vast majority of them and most fighters in general in wars are just boys thrown into the most dangerous situations a human can experience and if they don’t die they return home nothing like when they left.

[@joeywheelerii9136]

​@@MonkeyLiggaScrumptiousNanMarines tend to be younger. Many army divisions especially early on were filled with reservists. The 77th infantry division average age was 32.

[@MonkeyLiggaScrumptiousNan]

@@joeywheelerii9136 yeah that’s a fair point in all honesty I didn’t know that. I do think still though that most wars when times get desperate enough young lads getting sent off to die is not an out of the question possibility, Ukraine only dropped it 2 years but it’s a recent EG I guess, soon with the war at the rate it’s going it’ll be down to 20 on the dot without something big to break the slog.

[@joeywheelerii9136]

@@MonkeyLiggaScrumptiousNan In modern war, most white countries don't have many children, so in Ukraine, they actually target older men now. For all of human history until the past few decades we had lots of young people. In fact the Ukrainians have a minimum draft age of 25. The average age of Ukraines frontline troops is 40. While the Russians aren't as bad enough their Frontline troops are in their mid 30s on average.

[@CrowDawg11]

Another great episode gents, BZ! Always good to see Dave back. Also, congrats on the milestone, keep it up!

[@pittsburghwill]

thank you for keeping the memories of these pacific battles and of the sacrifices and valor of our beloved us marine corps (and soldiers sailors and airmen)we must never forget them you have done an excellent endeavor with this unauthorised series

[@mikewilkinson9828]

Amazing episode. My father was in the 1st Marine Division in the 1950s and i've always been interested in following 1st's actions in WW 2. Peliliu was brutal and oft forgotten until the HBO series "The Pacific". Great job in detailing the battle from all three of you.

[@stefanlaskowski6660]

Another terrific video! 👍

[@jasonlee7169]

This is a great episode. Would be great to understand also the role of the Native American code talkers in these Pacific battles. Thanks for this series

[@Jccarlton1400]

If no one has seen it, one of the most chilling Tom Lea pictures from Peleliu is a marine private with his entire right arm turned to shreds and covered in blood.

[@Stevereet]

A brutal illustration …

[@flparkermdpc]

I was wondering if that painting was Tom Lea's. GRAPHIC! Thanks.

[@vladimirpecherskiy1910]

That is a good story about much forgotten topic. Yeah, Iwo Jima, but who remember Peleliu?

[@dave3156]

Such a sad story and waste of manpower. Great to have Dave on the show. This is a preview of what's to come on Iwo and Okinawa. Thx great program today

[@patrickshanley4466]

Well done again guys, very different perspective than the miniseries THE PACIFIC when it comes to Pelilu

[@riftraft2015]

People are absolutely LOVING this series. You're hard work has been noticed and much appreciated. Your dedication to digging out the truth is inspiring.😁👍 Seth, Bill, & guest, you guys will be happy to know, WE have nominated you all to do WW2 Europe ETO, after youve finished the Pacific. 😁 Its time the TRUTH, good AND bad has been told. This series will become the GOLD standard for HOW historians should do war documentarys. An ansolute historical gold mine for future generations. No lies, no skewer, no slant, no lieing by omission, no trying to take credit for what other country's soldiers did. (Being absolutely rampant in the ETO) Just the TRUTH. Before the TRUTH is lost forever. 🇺🇸 THANK YOU 🇺🇸

[@davidbrian2570]

In from SC! Looking forward to this episode!

[@jayshaw63]

The F4U did not have dive brakes per se. The extended landing gear was used as dive brakes when dive bombing.

[@dianemcq64]

Day 2 was when my dad became a casualty. I have never known exactly how it happened and wish I could find someone who does. Dad died when I was a teenager and never talked about the war or how he got the shrapnel scars on his leg.

[@jonhenson5450]

Dave, I was on WEST PAC in 89 also. With 3/1 - Belleu Wood. Do you remember the helicopter crash in Korea on OP Team Spirit

[@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349]

Remember it too well and walking through that dry riverbed. March 89 we lost 17 from C/1/5 and 4 from the 53 crew. I will never forget standing in the rain at Camp Mudchuck looking at those rifles and sandbags. I was in STA 1/5 at the time.

[@jonhenson5450]

My God, small world. Worst day of my life. In Australia I met some Korean School teachers who told me there is a stone memorial there.

[@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349]

@@jonhenson5450 I have a picture of the monument someone sent me.

[@jonhenson5450]

​@@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349that's really good. I met those teachers in Hervey- Bay - Fraser Island area, 4 of them just happened to be from that area. Thank you so much. Get Some 1/5

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

​@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349 Hey Dave, I don't know if you even see this but I just want to know that you're appreciated. I mean I guess you know that already from all the comments! Just wanted to add that😊

[@haveUSPwilltravel]

When this series is complete, you guys should really consider offering it as a downloadable package. Sort of like how Dan Carlin offers his back catalogue for download. KZbin may not host this forever, and I think that many would like to actually own a copy, and compensate you fine gentleman for your efforts and expertise. Food for thought…

[@fredluck7422]

Brilliant podcasts. Highly enlightening. Love Jon Parshalls shirts. Looks like a Parrot 🦜 in a Washing machine. Please keep these episodes coming.

[@peterabair1882]

Others will note this, but think Bow and Arrow, in Pronouncing Bowdoin College. Great school. Great episode again today!

[@flparkermdpc]

I had a feeling we would hear from Bowdoin's alums. Look up the letters Andy Haldane sent to his Dean of Students from the front. Genuine affection and concern from the dean for a star student. I really 😢 when I read the description of the day Ack Ack died in Gene Sledge's book, With the Old Breed. Very big price for that coral pile.

[@bssn9469]

Dave Holland is awesome!

[@AdmiralYeti8042]

Thank God General Geiger had the good sense to go see what was happening on the line for himself or the 1st MarDiv may have been lost to a man. This is no small thing and spoke volumes of his leadership.

[@RK-pe8fc]

It seems there were so many times when the military, Army, Navy and Marines, underestimated the expected severity of a campaign, that they got it wrong more often than not? How often did they overestimate the anticipated severity, why didn’t they learn any lessons or get significantly better, at least. With the introduction of navy frogman they were supposed to be getting better intel. Were there other things at play regarding statements made, such as troop morale, etc. that caused leadership to knowingly underestimate the difficulty of the task? I think you could easily do an entire episode on this important topic.

[@charleshoughton525]

Your tread upon hallowed ground made for one of your best episodes to date. This is where history gets a little ugly at a personality level, and kudos to you for confronting that directly. Peleliu is a total indictment of Marine Corps leadership, from corps-level with Geiger's leaving a simplistic and unstable Rupertus in command on the island, to landing the 321 Inf Rgt in the south rather than the north, to division-level with Rupertus' malfeasance in ordering the crossing of the airfield without first bringing at least his armor forward, to ordering those hills taken without any plan for reinforcing success, to regiment-level with Puller repeatedly sending his troops into a futile meatgrinder. Puller had an absolute obligation of command to speak up, but conversely lied that 1/1 was doing well, (as well as lied about enemy body count). The only thing Puller was doing well was gratuitously sending a lot of brave men to their graves. Rupertus, well, he was just clearly over his station in division command, and just as clearly a total fruitcake-like clone of H Smith. Geiger, an otherwise fine commander, imprudently allowed it all to continue for far too long. There is a certain psychosis to any combat commander betraying a responsibility to his own troops by repeatedly refusing reinforcement, and on Peleliu that psychosis reached criminal levels. Rupertus was quickly pulled from theater, and never saw combat or troop command again, Puller was thereafter denied combat division command for the remainder of the war and through Korea. UNFORTUNATELY, Roy Geiger unjustly paid a career price for Rupertus' and Puller's egregious leadership on Peleliu, (albeit with maybe a little Holland Smith thrown in.) A great man, and demonstrably a more than capable high-level commander, Geiger would be the only Marine to rise to field army command after Gen Buckner was killed on Okinawa. But by then, given Saipan and Peleliu, and despite that Geiger was the right man for the job, the Army would have none of that, and could not get Joseph Stillwell all the way from Washington DC to Okinawa fast enough, possibly costing Roy Geiger a legitimate chance of filed army command for the invasion of Japan.

[@benjaminfrazier5419]

Good morning gentlemen!! Greetings from the birthplace of the Corps!! Been waiting for this second installment of the Peleliu campaign. My first knowledge of the battle was reading Russell Davis’ “Marine At War” as a teenager; it was another of many reasons I chose to become a Marine. 🦅🌎⚓️

[@JerrelBaker-vo8xv]

A persons worst enemy is mouth and self pride.

[@BlitherVids]

Love everything you guys do here. So good to see Dave Holland again too!

[@jonrettich-ff4gj]

Invaluably informative as ever. Had read Rupertus had recently lost his family, don’t know if true but might definitely contribute to difficulties. Where was H.M.Smith in all this? How much can be attributed to combat exhaustion? Thank you as ever

[@flparkermdpc]

I think you're on to something. Our best moments were before we had a lot of extras. 1942's circumstances forced economy and clear thinking. The commanders got further away from Calculated Risk thinking as more stuff and men arrived.

[@eastonnaxk1995]

His wife and child died in 1930 14 years prior to Peleliu.

[@billboy0]

Would this be chobham armor on the side of the Sherman at 31:23?

[@kensvay4561]

What a terrible waste of good men. But hindsight is a wonderful thing. Dave is great. These podcasts are the best resource for the true history of the Pacific War. The Japanese were incredibly good at building defensive positions.

[@jammininthepast]

Thanks to Seth, Captain Toti and Dave, I enjoy your hard work. You're appreciated. Semper Fi.

[@denniswiemer72]

Congratulations and well deserved!

[@Lou-no8hw]

On Day the 41st USA Infantry went ashore with camouflage uniforms. Apparently there was issues with these uniforms looking too much like German uniforms, and they were discontinued. There are also prewar photos of troops in camp paint. Love the Show.

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

My father-in-law was part of an artillery unit attached to the 41st Army. The only time he would ever talk about the war and Peleliu specifically he would get very tight-lipped, angry, and started drinking heavily. He said the same thing about New Guinea although he did mention one time his unit was on the beach or not very far inland at least and they saw Japanese warships off the coast and he said they left everything behind and bugged the hell out. My mother-in-law, his wife said that the war shattered him. I can't even pretend to understand.💖🇺🇲⚓️💯👍

[@notsomeanmark]

Thanks guys. Learning so many details from your efforts.

[@davidbrian2570]

Capt. Everett Pope...a very tough and controversial assignment!

[@BlackHawkBallistic]

Frea5t episode as always gentlemen, Dave is an excellent guest and I'm excited for next weeks episode with him, can't wait.

[@johnwilson9364]

The guts, determination and raw courage of the US Marines as described is so inspiring. The Greatest Generation.

[@SamAlley-l9j]

Thank you Bill Seth and Dave

[@MIKE-se8ye]

Excellent as always gentlemen.

[@keithrosenberg5486]

Do a video on the USO and Bob Hope in the Pacific. Among other places he went to Pavuvu with Jerry Colonna and a couple of beautiful starlets.

[@Cometkazie]

Another great episode and great guest.

[@tmcmsail1]

Your countdown episode 3-2-1 boom. Well done

[@tomneises6178]

Amazing story telling! Great job guys!

[@robertmoffitt1336]

Never Forget 💝🎗️

[@innovationsurvival]

Stupendous program, immense thanks m

[@freda7436]

Good to see Dave, he's been missed.

[@wilsonj4705]

Total hell for the Marines. One can only imagine what it was like on the Japanese side.

[@joeavery6344]

Great job fellas 👍👍👍👍

[@dianeduffcroop8158]

My father-in-law was with the 41st division of the 164th US Army. He was an artillery man and saw action from New Guinea all the way up to this battle on Peleliu. He did mention a few things about the Battle, but when he spoke about it, he got very depressed and angry and started drinking. But what he did mention was the heat and the lack of drinking water even for the Army, not just the Marines. He did say that fighting next to the Marines was inspiring, though. He said they felt completely accepted by the Marines and even learned a few tricks about how to fight the Japanese at their own game. He mentioned that fighting on that island was similar to New Guinea, in that the terrain could defeat you just as quickly and completely as the Japanese could. He said that even though he was in the army, Rupertus was roundly despised by everybody on that island.🇺🇲⚓️🙏💯💖

[@WJSpies]

I knew a woman who's father was with the Marines at Peleliu. According to her mother he was a great guy before his deployment there, but never the same upon his return. The woman I knew said she was afraid of her father, although she knew he loved her very much. He just wasn't all there it seemed.

[@islandhopperstuart]

You guys described hell on earth. Shocking and tragic.

[@Steve-dg3md]

7th Marines, 1stMarDiv ..... my last 5 years served with 7th Marines. 😅

[@paulcroshier6708]

At 1:09:51, two Marines are shown serving a weapon I have never seen before ... something between 30 and 40 mm on what looks like a monopod. Was this field expedient use of Japanese kit or some obscure American stuff? Brilliant work as usual, keep it up!

[@davechaplain4826]

Just a guess but the official USMC accounts of the battle mention the use of 37mm anti-tank weapons on Peleliu.

[@liltoaster7308]

@@paulcroshier6708 What you're seeing is actually an experimental horizontally fired 60mm mortar, which was first combat tested on Peleliu in the ridges. I think there was only one used on the island, but a few recordings of it being fired in the Umurbrogols exist. Unsurprisingly the weapon didn't do very well and nobody liked it, especially since it kicked so much. I doubt they used it after Peleliu.

[@JerrelBaker-vo8xv]

On one of your videos you were wondering why some ships were nick naming themselves maru. It is they had deadly supplies for Japanese ships

[@Phoenix-ej2sh]

I have tears in my eyes listening to the incredible cost and tragedy of this battle.

[@simpleliving1132]

Thanks for Convo.

[@Titus-as-the-Roman]

It seems to me Dave's "Aussie" is getting more pronounced, who'd have guessed Alabama & Aussie would blend so well love you guys, why I'm watching but honestly I have a mental problem with Peleliu. The River of Time has placed us here in the present, every alive human can thank some occurrence happening to one of our ancestors, a whole lot of ancestry was finalized on Peleliu, since we can't properly discuss something that never happened, there's no way of knowing the true ramifications if a useless waste of life was bypassed.

[@flparkermdpc]

You would think after Betio our commanders would know better than to take the Japanese lightly. I'm sure the Marines lost confidence in planners after Tarawa, and especially when the veterans experienced the first five minutes on Peleliu. They, we, did eventually learn. Nimitz, King, and Spruance were all for avoiding invading the Japanese home islands with Nimitz saying that he wouldn't support it with "His" ships. I wonder if he'd have resigned rather than be responsible for that many American deaths. King was on his side in this. More importantly Truman was of the same mind. Democracies can't do what Stalin did.

[@Titus-as-the-Roman]

@@flparkermdpc There was so much about this war at all angles that the "Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda" crowd has enough cannon fodder for years to come, my thoughts once again, won't discuss it, no way to solve problems that never happened no matter how red in the face they become

[@courage1266]

Dear, Bill. As a retired Army National Guard/Reserve Infantry officer (two tours in Afghanistan) I often smile to myself as you describe infantry combat. However, in your description of how General Rupertus (sp?) interacted with Chesty Puller... my friend, you are dead on. As an Infantryman we see ourselves as the point of the spear, the best of the best, and that is pretty close to dead on. I've served with other branch officers, and the professionalism in the infantry is intense... from those former Marines that I have known, the pride in professionalism is like the best units in the Army... At the senior officer level, and in a situation like this, the personality of the officers "is" the battle. Of course, Rupertus pressured Puller to be an "overachiever" at the cost of Marines lives. I can't say how many times I have seen things like this in training and in combat. And it takes someone who has been in that situation to understand and describe it. So, congratulations, you've earned a little more respect from the combat arms.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Thanks

[@jonrettich-ff4gj]

Has mental breakdown due to emotional and physical exhaustion as well as Puller’s wound play a role? I firmly believe this with Bragg and Longstreet at Chattanooga. The navy alternated command in the Pacific possibly partly for that reason. American resilience and ingenuity under pressure is greatly impeded by exhaustion. I might have read Rupertus had lost some family recently?

[@MemorialRifleRange]

Thank-you

[@christopherbennett9128]

Will you guys ever do a episode about the Flags of our fathers book. I would love to get your take on what happened with the flag raising

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

1945. It's coming, season 4

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

​@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar Damn, you guys have a lot of folks champing at the bit! Me included!!

[@thomasstrout1738]

Eye opening.

[@johndodd6843]

Dave Holland is great

[@Titus-as-the-Roman]

Had to take a bit off, pesky infuriating life issues get in the way occasionally, Humans in general, Americans specifically are found excellent examples, I for one, on how they can be totally broken, almost every major bone, get back up and throw the Universe the middle finger

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Thank you