PALAU AND HALMAHERA

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 69, 19 September 1944, Page 4

PALAU AND HALMAHERA

WASHINGTON, September 18. American marines continued to encounter heavy opposition on Peleliu Island, in the Palau group, on Saturday, but extended the .area under their control in the south-western peninsula. Army forces have captured one-third of Angaur Island, 'six miles south of Peleliu. a Pacific fleet communique states that the marines of Peleliu have advanced in a northerly direction approximately one-third of a mile. The enemy is using artillery, and mortars m considerable numbers.

On Angaur Island, army troops joined iiie beach-heads in the north and northeast sectors and pushed inland for over 1000 yards against light opposition. A radio correspondent, broadcasting from the flagship off the Palau islands, said: -The marines captured the highest hill on Peleliu with a ferocious frontal attack after stopping three Japanese counter-attacks. The Japanese casualties are extremely heavy, and the marines' losses relatively light." The initial landings on Angaur Island were made by troops of the elst Infantry Division, commanded by Major-General Mueller, and the ships directly supporting were commanded oy Rear-Admiral Blandy. The United Press correspondent in an earlier message said the marines on Peleliu group will soon be converging for an attack on "Bloody Nose Ridge" a sheer 200 ft wall dappled with caves from which the Japanese are hurling artillery and mortar fire. The expeditionary force's commander, MajorGeneral Julian Smith, said- "The terrain is savage, and 'Bloody Nose" is comparable only with Mount Topotcnan on Saipan; but once we take it we will control the highest ground in Peleliu. It is not as tough as Tarawa, but it is tougher than Eniwetok or Kwajalein." He added that he considered the ground situation satisfac-