Chapter 4, Assault into Hell Summary and Analysis

Chapter 4 details the initial assault on Peleliu; in many respects it is similar to Chapter 10. H Hour is 0800; numerous 16" and 8" naval guns open fire, along with smaller naval guns, airplanes, and other forms of weapons, to pulverize the landing zone. Sledge watches in fascination while nearly collapsing with fear. The bombardment lifts moment before the amtracs hit the beach. Sledge and the other marines jump over the side of the amtrac and rush inland—they have been trained to get off the beach as quickly as possible. Japanese fire is intense and effective—Sledge watches a marine DUKW explode from a direct hit.

K/3/5 and K/3/7 land overlap and the men from each company intermingle in confusion. Heavy machine gun and mortar fire comes from the entrenched Japanese and casualties mount. Sledge and...