Hell in the Pacific: Peleliu - The Matrix Games version of Rising Sun

Orange Beach, Peleliu, Palau Islands: [Best played as Allied] On the same day Americans poured ashore over the mud and reefs at Morotai, troops under Admiral Nimitz began landing on the southern Palau Islands in the Central Pacific. The veterans of the US 1st Marine Division, named the Old Breed, had earned a reputation as some of the best jungle fighters in the world, along with a Presidential Unit Citation during the struggle for Guadalcanal. However, the men of the Old Breed had never executed an amphibious landing against prepared defenses like they faced during the assault on Peleliu in September 1944. Entrenched behind Peleliu's beaches were elements of the 14th Division, 53rd Mixed Infantry Brigade and 15th Infantry Regiment with a considerable amount of supporting artillery. For the first time the Americans also encountered large numbers of mines in the waters around the island and behind the landing beaches. Guaranteeing that no element of the 1st Marine Division would land without buying its own piece of hell! In the center, the assault battalions of the 5th Marines were to come ashore over Orange Beach in the Japanese 2nd Infantry Regiment's sector. Then push inland as quickly as possible to seize the airfield area while under nearly constant fire from Japanese artillery emplaced on Mt. Umurbrogol. Design Note: Map scale has been adjusted for clarity and playability.