RIDGE CAPTURED

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22459, 21 September 1944, Page 6

RIDGE CAPTURED

BATTLE FOR PELELIU MARINES’ STIFF FIGHT 117 PLANES WRECKED (United press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 The Ist United States Marine Regiment captured Bloody Nose Ridge after the stiffest Fight in the marines’ history, and tonight the battle for Peleliu has apparently passed the crisis, says the United Press correspondent at the Pelew Islands. The marines have seized their primary objectives in the island and the fall of Bloody Nose Ridge silenced most of the Fire directed at Peleliu aerodrome, where Seabees are preparing for the arrival of combat aircraft. Air operations will permanently nullify the uninvaded Pelew Islands, such as Koror and Babeltnuap, where it is estimated that 30.000 Japanese are immobilised. The wreckage of 117 Japanese aircraft, including 77 fighters, was found on the aerodrome, which is the finest in the islands.

The marines’ principal job on Peleliu is to dig out the Japanese on successive ridges leading to the causeway connecting the island to Ngesebus Island. The job is expected to take several days. Bridgehead Extended

The 81st Army Division, after a slow start, suddenly expanded the Angaur bridgehead across four-fifths of the island. The Japanese are crammed in the north-west and south-east tips of the island where their position is hopeless.

The New York Times correspondent at the Pelews says the fairly light marine casualties in the first five days do not indicate that it has been a relatively easy campaign. On the contrary, it has been bitter, with the enemy resisting to the death. Marines control virtually the entire island of Peleliu, says the correspondent representing the combined American radio networks in the Pelew Group. He adds that only the northern tip of Peleliu remains in enemy hands and it does not present an over-serious problem.