| WWII Relics and Sites |
Traveling with an admiral has its advantages, especially on a 36-hour trip such as this. Because I was
part of the admiral's party, I was able to see far more of the island than most other Navy personnel did
(right down to exploring caves with Japanese bones and munitions still on the ground). Rear Admiral
Johnson is a "photo-happy" admiral who loves to have a visual record of just about everything, and also
just wanted me to have the chance to see and photograph everything I could.. Again, I was the only
enlisted Sailor present, for which I thank him.
part of the admiral's party, I was able to see far more of the island than most other Navy personnel did
(right down to exploring caves with Japanese bones and munitions still on the ground). Rear Admiral
Johnson is a "photo-happy" admiral who loves to have a visual record of just about everything, and also
just wanted me to have the chance to see and photograph everything I could.. Again, I was the only
enlisted Sailor present, for which I thank him.
Our first view of the WWII wreckage littering Palau: the propeller blade of a
downed Japanese Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" fighter. Palauan President Remengesau
(above) drove his own boat with the admiral's party aboard to Peleliu, taking us on a
tour of the Rock Islands. He told us that the locals use this Zero carcass as a
navigation aid: if they see more of the fusalage sticking above the surface, then they
know the tide is too low for them to attempt this pass into the Rock Islands interior.
downed Japanese Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" fighter. Palauan President Remengesau
(above) drove his own boat with the admiral's party aboard to Peleliu, taking us on a
tour of the Rock Islands. He told us that the locals use this Zero carcass as a
navigation aid: if they see more of the fusalage sticking above the surface, then they
know the tide is too low for them to attempt this pass into the Rock Islands interior.
You have no idea...unless you are part
"Indiana Jones"...just how much restraint
it took to keep me from putting down my
camera and jumping into this shallow,
crystal-clear water to examine this wreck.
While obviously detiorated, scavenged,
and skeletal, this wreck is easily
recognizeable as a Zero fighter. The
distinctive round engine cowling is the
"give-away" to the plane's identity.
(Left) the empenage and (below) the
intact engine cowling.
"Indiana Jones"...just how much restraint
it took to keep me from putting down my
camera and jumping into this shallow,
crystal-clear water to examine this wreck.
While obviously detiorated, scavenged,
and skeletal, this wreck is easily
recognizeable as a Zero fighter. The
distinctive round engine cowling is the
"give-away" to the plane's identity.
(Left) the empenage and (below) the
intact engine cowling.
Looking down the length of the plane as the President's boat moves on. All Zero photographs here
are copyright 2004, Nathanael T. Miller.
are copyright 2004, Nathanael T. Miller.
| Peleliu Bloody Nose Ridge |
The monument to the 1st Marine
Division on Bloody Nose Ridge in the
Umurbrogal Mountains. Prior to the
1944 battle, Peleliu was so heavily
jungled that, in spite of months of
photo reconnaissance (both aerial and
by frogmen swimming near shore) war
planners thought the island was flat.
The Marines hit the beach and started
to move inland only to discover the
Umurbrogal Mountains, which rise to
over 500 feet above sea level. Uplifted
coral rock, these mountains made
terrific places for the Japanese to
tunnel and fortify.
After going to the island, I can now
understand how U.S. planners made
this devestating mistake. The jungle is
truly so thick that, unless you know
there are mountains in there, you'd
have no way to tell the island isn't
covered with only heavy brush.
(Below) the two plaques on the
monument's sides. All three are U.S.
Navy photos.
Division on Bloody Nose Ridge in the
Umurbrogal Mountains. Prior to the
1944 battle, Peleliu was so heavily
jungled that, in spite of months of
photo reconnaissance (both aerial and
by frogmen swimming near shore) war
planners thought the island was flat.
The Marines hit the beach and started
to move inland only to discover the
Umurbrogal Mountains, which rise to
over 500 feet above sea level. Uplifted
coral rock, these mountains made
terrific places for the Japanese to
tunnel and fortify.
After going to the island, I can now
understand how U.S. planners made
this devestating mistake. The jungle is
truly so thick that, unless you know
there are mountains in there, you'd
have no way to tell the island isn't
covered with only heavy brush.
(Below) the two plaques on the
monument's sides. All three are U.S.
Navy photos.
The photographer at Bloody Nose Ridge. By general naval policy
(and practicality), one does not have to wear a cover (hat) while
using professional camera equipment. If you are wondering why, try
wearing a ball cap and then shooting a camera with a flash mounted
on top of it. Personal photo, N. T. Miller.
(and practicality), one does not have to wear a cover (hat) while
using professional camera equipment. If you are wondering why, try
wearing a ball cap and then shooting a camera with a flash mounted
on top of it. Personal photo, N. T. Miller.
