Ref.: DRAG-6554
U.S. Marine Peleliu 1944
Characteristics
Dragon brand model to mount and paint to scale 1/35.
Historical Review
The tiny rocky atoll of Peleliu in the Palau Islands seems like an insignificant piece of real estate. Yet from 14 September – 27 November 1944, it was the scene of vicious fighting between an American invasion force and staunch Japanese defenders. In the end, 1794 Americans and 10,695 Japanese were killed on this small island containing an airstrip. The American commander had predicted it would take only four days to capture the island, but in fact it took two months to subdue it. In actual fact, Peleliu constituted the highest casualty rate of any Pacific War battle. Within an hour of Marines landing on their designated beaches, Japanese guns had destroyed 60 LVTs and DUKWs. The fighting was some of the fiercest of the war, and after losing one third of its manpower as casualties, the 1st Marine Division was essentially taken out of action until April 1945.
