The paradise island haunted by one of the bloodiest battles of World War II

Key Points:

• Peleliu Island, part of Palau, was the site of a brutal and prolonged World War II battle in 1944, where American forces faced unexpected Japanese underground defenses, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.
• The Battle of Peleliu, initially planned as a short operation, extended for months and is considered by historians as unnecessary, with Admiral Halsey having recommended skipping the invasion, but being overruled.
• Today, Peleliu attracts tourists from around the world, including war history enthusiasts and gamers, who visit to see war relics, caves, and memorials, while the island remains a poignant reminder of the conflict’s toll on soldiers and local Palauan people.
• Palau, a small island nation with a complex colonial history, maintains American military ties and hosts a US military cemetery on Peleliu, but remains relatively unknown to most American tourists.
• Beyond the war, Palau’s traditional culture and history can be explored at places like the Belau Museum in Koror, highlighting the island’s heritage beyond its wartime past.