U.S. Navy Department (October 5, 1944)
CINCPAC Communiqué No. 141
U.S. forces on Peleliu Island continued to apply heavy pressure to the remaining pocket of enemy resistance at Bloody Nose Ridge on October 4 (West Longitude Date). Several defensive positions and caves were cleaned out during the day. Mopping-up operations on Angaur Island are being continued.
During the operations in the Southern Palau Islands from September 25 to October 5 the following casualties were incurred:
| 1st Marine Division | 81st Infantry Division | |
|---|---|---|
| KIA | 191 | 145 |
| WIA | 1,011 | 696 |
| MIA | 0 | 8 |
The total in the missing category for the 1st Marine Division has been revised downward from 401 to 267 for the entire campaign.
During the same period, an additional 2,618 enemy troops were eliminated on Peleliu and 137 were eliminated on Angaur.
Corsair fighters of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, operating from the airfield at Peleliu, bombed Babelthuap Island on October 4, hitting the airstrips and strafing a concentration of motor vehicles. Warehouses at Koror were also bombed during the day.
Eleventh Air Force Liberators strafed a small cargo vessel near Onekotan in the Kuriles on October 3. On returning to their base the bombers were intercepted by two enemy fighters near Paramushiru but were not damaged.
Seventh Air Force Liberators on October 3 bombed a large cargo ship and a destroyer northwest of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands. Anti-aircraft fire from the destroyer was meager. On the same day, Marcus Island was bombed by 7th Air Force Liberators.
Thunderbolt fighters of the 7th Air Force dropped bombs and rockets on gun positions and shore installations at Pagan Island on October 3. Other planes bombed barracks and communications facilities the same night.
Corsairs of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing dive‑bombed airfields and installations at Ponape Island on October 4. Anti-aircraft fire was inaccurate.
Corsairs of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing and search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed enemy positions on Jaluit Atoll on October 4. One Corsair suffered minor damage from anti-aircraft fire.
Communiqué No. 547
Pacific and Far East.
U.S. submarines have reported the sinking of 11 vessels, including three combatant ships, as a result of operations against the enemy in these waters as follows:
- 1 escort vessel
- 4 small cargo vessels
- 1 destroyer,
- 1 cable ship
- 1 medium cargo transport
- 1 converted seaplane tender
- 1 medium cargo vessel
- 1 large tanker
These actions have not been announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
