Battle for Peleliu and the Maritime Archaeology of an Amphibious Assault

Bringing together leading maritime archaeologists and marine scientists, this volume moves beyond conventional battle narratives to reconstruct Peleliu’s integrated battlespace—reef, lagoon, landing beaches, and airfield—through cutting edge remote sensing, 3D photogrammetry, and meticulous archival research. This book offers an unprecedented, interdisciplinary look at one of the Pacific War’s most brutal and least understood amphibious operations. Bringing together leading maritime archaeologists and marine scientists, this volume moves beyond conventional battle narratives to reconstruct Peleliu’s integrated battlespace—reef, lagoon, landing beaches, and airfield—through cutting edge remote sensing, 3D photogrammetry, and meticulous archival research. Readers follow Underwater Demolition Teams, amphibious forces, Seabees, and Palauan communities through first person accounts woven tightly into the archaeological record, revealing the human experiences behind the material remains. The book also breaks new ground by pairing conflict archaeology with detailed studies of long term coral reef resilience, demonstrating how warfare reshaped both cultural landscapes and marine environments. Timely, richly illustrated, and deeply humane, this volume will become a landmark reference for scholars, students, and general readers alike.