Editing Battle of Peleliu (section)

===American===
Unlike the Japanese, who drastically altered their tactics for the upcoming battle, the American invasion plan was unchanged from that of previous amphibious landings, even after suffering 3,000 casualties and enduring two months of delaying tactics while overcoming entrenched Japanese defenders at the [[Battle of Biak]].<ref>Alexander, ''Storm Landings'', p. 110.</ref> On Peleliu, American planners chose to land on the southwest beaches because of their proximity to the airfield on south Peleliu. The [[1st Marine Regiment]], commanded by Colonel [[Chesty Puller|Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller]], was to land on the northern end of the beaches. The [[5th Marine Regiment]], under Colonel [[Harold D. Harris|Harold Harris]], would land in the center, and the [[7th Marine Regiment]], under Colonel [[Herman H. Hanneken|Herman Hanneken]], would land at the southern end.

The division's artillery regiment, the [[11th Marine Regiment|11th Marines]] under Colonel [[William H. Harrison (USMC)|William Harrison]], would land after the infantry regiments. The plan was for the 1st and 7th Marines to push inland, guarding the 5th Marines' flanks and allowing them to capture the airfield located directly to the center of the landing beaches. The 5th Marines were to push across to the eastern shore, cutting the island in half. The 1st Marines would push north into the Umurbrogol, while the 7th Marines would clear the southern end of the island. Only one battalion was held in reserve, with the U.S. Army's 81st Infantry Division available for support from [[Angaur]], just south of Peleliu.

On 4 September the Marines shipped off from their station on [[Pavuvu]], north of [[Guadalcanal]], a {{convert|2100|mi|km|adj=on}} trip across the Pacific. A Navy [[Underwater Demolition Team]] cleared the beaches of some obstacles as warships began their pre-invasion bombardment of Peleliu on 12 September.

The [[battleship]]s {{USS|Pennsylvania|BB-38|2}}, {{USS|Maryland|BB-46|2}}, {{USS|Mississippi|BB-41|2}}, {{USS|Tennessee|BB-43|2}} and {{USS|Idaho|BB-42|2}}, [[heavy cruiser]]s {{USS|Indianapolis|CA-35|2}}, {{USS|Louisville|CA-28|2}}, {{USS|Minneapolis|CA-36|2}} and {{USS|Portland|CA-33|2}}, and [[light cruiser]]s {{USS|Cleveland|CL-55|2}}, {{USS|Denver|CL-58|2}} and {{USS|Honolulu|CL-48|2}},<ref name=Moran/>{{rp|29}} led by the command ship {{USS|Mount McKinley|AGC-7|2}}, subjected the {{convert|6|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} island to a massive three-day bombardment, pausing only to permit air strikes from the three [[aircraft carrier]]s, five [[light aircraft carrier]]s, and eleven [[escort carrier]]s that sailed with the attack force.<ref name= Hastings>Hastings, '' Retribution'', pp. 236–244.</ref> A total of 519 rounds of {{convert|16|in|mm|abbr=on}} shells, 1,845 rounds of {{convert|14|in|mm|abbr=on}} shells and 1,793 {{convert|500|lb|kg|abbr=on}} bombs pounded Peleliu during this period.

The Americans believed the bombardment to be successful, as Rear Admiral [[Jesse B. Oldendorf|Jesse Oldendorf]] claimed that the Navy had run out of targets.<ref name= Hastings/> In reality, most Japanese soldiers survived; even the battalion left to defend the beaches was virtually unscathed. During the initial American assault, the island's defenders exercised unusual firing discipline to avoid giving away their positions. However, the bombardment destroyed Japan's aircraft on the island and the buildings surrounding the airfield. The Japanese remained in their fortified positions, waiting to attack the American landing troops.