DIA 26 (15-12-2019): PELELIU ISLAND- LAND TOUR

A las 4.00 de la mañana un estruendo ruido me despierta….cuando tomo conciencia me doy cuenta que es un diluvio universal lo que esta cayendo….me alegro de estar bajo cobijo….pero no se porque pienso….ay madre….y ¿si nos cae una de estas trombas cuando estemos de acampada por las Rock Islands?.

En eso momento oigo a Kim, que se despierta y justo dice en voz alta este pensamiento…. Cris…yo no quiero acampar si nos va a caer esto encima….ni yo, Kim, ni yo…. vamos a ver como progresa la climatología antes de tomar decisiones….

Con el diluvio universal no puedo dormir, así que no se me ocurre sino pensar en el día de mañana….vamos en unas horas…que tenemos contratada la excursión de día completo por la isla para conocer un poco la historia que incluye paseo por la jungla…..pero claro con estos diluvios universales….el paseo por la jungla va a ser un barrizal….capaz que nos la cancelan…bueno…vamos a no adelantar acontecimientos y ver que pasa….

Consigo cerrar un ojo, no se muy bien a que hora, pero a las 6.30 ya estamos en pie…..Kim mira al cielo….parece que nos quiere dar un respiro….

Nos tomamos un café que buena falta nos hace. He de contar que Kim en todos los viajes viene cargada con sobres de café instantáneo de Starbucks que está buenísimo….y siempre viene cargada de cantidades extra…para su compañera de viaje :-)….

Hoy el resort es de nuestra exclusividad porque la otra pareja que estaba alojada marcha. Desayunamos y comentamos lo escaso de las raciones…(fijaros en las cantidades de fruta…por ejemplo).

A las 8.30 ya está nuestro guía, Jeff, esperando para empezar el tour, de modo que parece que vamos a tener excursión….jajaja

Os voy a remitir a partir de aquí a leer la parte de Kim (en el margen izquierdo, si haces click en las tres lineas que hay, se abre un desplegable con el traductor de google, que podes usar para traducir su parte). El motivo es que Kim tiene mucha memoria y es una muy buena contadora de historias y apasionada de la la Historia…de modo que todas las referencias a la segunda guerra mundial, la acción de los japoneses, españoles y alemanes….la explicará ella mejor y más fidedignamente que servidora. 

Solo os puedo adelantar que para una persona que es un poco claustrofobica a los espacios cerrados….parece que viajar conmigo es una terapia….porque Kim no quería cuevas…..pues toma cuevas….y hasta aquí puedo leer ….jeje

Si os diré que cuando llegamos de nuevo al hotel….éramos las únicas inquilinas…así que había opciones de hacer el tonto sin que nadie nos viera….tocaba merecida ducha, algo de relax (yo no hago sino mirar al cielo, a ver si se deja ver el sol, un bonito atardecer….pero solo veo gris, nubes, y gris…..

así que nos preparamos para la cenita y a descansar que el día ha sido intenso y la noche anterior apenas dormimos.

15-12-2019 – Peleliu Full Day Tour (Day 4)

Rain starts about 0200hrs, heavy storm at 0400hrs with wind. Cris and I hope that the rain will not continue for the day as we are now about to start a full day tour of the island in regards to the history of the battle during World War II.

We have breakfast at the hotel – one egg omelet with 2 bites of fruit and 2 slices of bread…..I think this is the smallest breakfast I have ever had for the price!!

We leave with our lunch and water packed for the day. Our guide for the day is Jeff. He is a local and full of knowledge of the island and the battle.

WARNING: My photos are not the quality of Cris so please enter into the next portion of the blog with this information in mind. As you have gone through her portion first, I am sure we have doubled in photos so my apologies. That being said, if you wish to continue: happy reading and enjoy. I love history and this battle was important. I hope to do it justice. During this war, I had one grandfather in Europe and the other was in the Pacific in the Navy so it touches a bit home for me. Many lives were taken during this period of history and I believe that we much remember and honor all who have given the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.

First stop: White Beach I – this is the first landing site for the US Marines on 27 September 1944 for the Battle of Peleliu. The USA invaded Peleliu because the Japanese had it as a strong hold from World War I and the island was on the route to the Philippines, a place that General Douglas MacArthur decided was strategic to the United States during the war. With an airport and some roads, it was determined that Peleliu was a strategic location for not only the Philippines but also in regards to the attacks against Japan.

This is called a Pill Box. It is a manmade structure placed into the ground or part of the earth helping to make it undetectable. In the box, armament is placed to help fortified the position – helps in the defense of the location. In this case, the Japanese had placed a 20mm gun (width of the ammunition or bullet) with the ability to damage a tank and kill many people. 

Second stop: WWII museum made out of a Japanese fuel bunker.

As well we all know, Cris does not do museums so how Jeff got Cris into the museum is amazing…..and he did not even trick her with popcorn or cinema! Lots of interesting history and stories, including one story of 34 Japanese soldiers living in a cave for several years after the war ended. They were finally discovered due to them stealing provisions from the Americans. The story goes that since the Japanese were trained to never surrender that the Americans had to get the emperor to come down and convince them that the war was over and that they had surrendered. 

With the rain now “done” we decided it was time for our jungle trek to see more WWII caves and history and such.

The trail is marked with these white/red markers. The white side is safe for travel and has been demined for bombs and such. The red side has not been demined and it is suggested that we do not travel on that side.

Along the trail we see many piles of WWII artifacts left by both sides, plaques honoring the soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and ordinance that has been safely disposed.

The rain starts again so we take shelter in a cave to let it pass, as this time of year the rain comes in short storms. We find some local animal life!

Once the rain stops, we continue on with the jungle tour. We visit the last caves where the Japanese commander sent his last radio transmission and then commit suicide (as it is dishonorable for him to surrender or get captured).

We visit a large radio cave where the Japanese had many radios for communications as well as batteries and such for supplies.

Rain was off and on for the rest of the day. And when it was not raining, the wind through the trees made it seem like rain as the rain captured by the leaves dropped on us.

Please observe the careful guarding of the camera case under the umbrella……true paparazzi here!!!

Next stop in the jungle trek is the observation point. Up we climb just a few stairs (at the time it seemed like more than a few but in a few days you will see why it is just a few) to find a memorial to fallen soldiers from the US Army who aided the US Marines in taking the island.

Amazing view of the island and surroundings from up there.

Just wanted to make sure you all remember what I look like!!!

We have decided that a small break and lunch is in order so off we go to the south harbor. The Americans built this area for the docking of the naval ships for supplies and such. On the very southern tip of the harbor, we find another memorial to the battle.

From there, we start down the road and see a sign for the Japanese War Memorial. Jeff just passes the road so we ask him to go back so we can also visit.

A beautiful place for this war memorial as well. I believe it is important to honor soldiers who fought, regardless of the “side” they were on. All were fighting for what they believed in, which is truly the most important thing.

We also find where the “line” is for the meeting of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. This is where the ocean currents, which go in opposite directions, meet. The island in the background is Angor Island. The “line” goes from the most southern point of Peleliu to Angor. There is a chance we might dive here if the currents are right!!

Next stop: Japanese Zero Plane. It was not shot down by America. It was found not yet completely assembled by the airport. American tossed it into the jungle.

Important differences between American war planes and Japanese Zero Planes: American planes have heavier armament to protect the pilot and plane, are less movable due to their weight, have more ammunitions (machine gun and bombs). Japanese Zero planes are made to hold a single bomb, may have a small machine gun and the pilot is expected not to come back.

Next stop: American cemetery for the fallen soldiers. Peleliu has asked America to move the bodies, which they did. Most are back in America with some in the Philippines. 

 There are the 2 monuments left: 1 original, 1 constructed after the bodies were moved, and a chapel that lost its’ roof from a typhoon. The memorial is located at Orange Beach 1 – another landing area for the Americans.

Next stop: Japanese light tank.

The Japanese had 18 of these tanks hidden in caves on the island. When America invaded, they had no idea of this kind of defense and many others as the Japanese hid many things well. It holds a crew of 5. The armament is very light, making the tank very movable at the cost of very little defense.

Next stop: Japanese headquarters at the airport.

The walls are almost 1m thick of reinforced concrete – to help make it bomb proof. It was not bomb proof but it did take some damage!

Next stop: American LVT (Light Vehicle Transport).

This vehicle is for use on land and water. Its’ main purpose is to transport troops from naval ships to land during invasions. It also acts as a light tank when needed.

Almost done!! Just a few more stops!!

Next stop: Japanese 200mm gun from a navy ship.

So…..this gun was not actually utilized during the battle – luckily for the gunner. The Japanese had installed the gun but had no ammunition to fire it. It is also facing east and the invasion happened on the west side of the island. Lucky for the gunner because it would have only shot once. The gun is meant for a battleship, not a cave. Therefore, once fired, the concussion of the blast would have collapsed the cave onto the gunner, killing him instantly and destroying the gun. Also, placing the gun in a cave severely limited the ability of the gun as it was meant to travel in a complete circle and now had a very limited movement range.

Next stop: Japanese Cassion Cave

The Japanese improved on an existing natural cave and basically made it huge with very thick reinforced concrete. They stored many things like the light tanks, ammunition, food in these caves. This is part of the reason why American did not know what they were getting into when they invaded the island as the Japanese hid all their defenses in caves.

Next stop: American Sherman Tank

Here in lies the work horse of the American Infantry!! The Sherman tank was built to intimidate as well as defend. This one saved 4 Americans and was going back into battle when it came across a landmine – one of the very few ways back then to disable the tank. The tank is actually designed to take the landmine and stay track side down (tracks stay on the ground). This one has been flipped on its’ side by people removing the valuable metal to sell many years later.

Next stop: Corsair plane parts graveyard. No pictures, sorry. Over time, people have gone through the jungle and found pieces of the Corsair planes. It was thought they were gathered for repairing the planes.

Next stop: Japanese Headquarters in town

This building in located in the middle of the only village on the island. Locals have graffitied the building over time, so no good picture from me….maybe Cris has one. It was built similar to the airport headquarters, just much larger!

Next stop: coffee and a biscuit on the deck of our bungalow!!!

Finally!!! We are done and back in our room. Time to relax before dinner. Take a much-needed coffee and biscuit rest!! I do not know about you but I am just about exhausted from typing all of this!!

Now….here is the map of what we did and where we did it. You too have now taken the tour!! Hope you have enjoyed the trip as much as we did. I am sure that you were not rained on or felt the heat and humidity so good for you there.