The Carolines--NGESEBUS, ULITHI, NGULU

NGESEBUS OCCUPATION REMOVES THREAT

Against only light and scattered opposition U.S. Marines on 28 September, 1944 landed on Ngesebus and Kongauru Islands, inside the lagoon north of Peleliu. The landings were preceded by a heavy naval and air bombardment, the latter by both carrier and land-based aircraft. By evening our troops had secured all of Ngesebus, site of a 3,000 foot airstrip. Resistance on Kongauru was reduced to a small pocket in the northeast tip of the tiny island and was eliminated the following day. Another smaller island to the east of Kongauru was also occupied.

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THRONGS OF PHILIPPINE CIVILIANS, HALF-STARVED, WAR-TORN BUT JOYOUS SWARM FROM CELLARS AND HILLS TO WELCOME AMERICAN LIBERATION FORCES TO LEYTE ISLAND

THRONGS OF PHILIPPINE CIVILIANS WELCOME AMERICAN LIBERATION FORCES TO LEYTE ISLAND

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There was thus removed the threat of artillery and mortar fire against our position on Peleliu.

ULITHI ATOLL FOUND ABANDONED

As soon as it became clear that the entire 81st Division would not be needed for the capture of Angaur, a regimental combat team was dispatched to Ulithi Atoll. Minesweepers, under cover of light surface ships, began work in the lagoon on 21 September, 1944 and in two days cleared the entrance and anchorage inside for the attack force. The Japanese had abandoned Ulithi and the landing of troops on the 23rd was without opposition. Although Ulithi was not an ideal anchorage it was the best available shelter for large surface forces in the Western Carolines, and steps were taken at once to develop it.

SEIZURE OF NGULU NEUTRALIZES YAP

Ngulu Atoll, less than 100 miles southwest of Yap Island, was occupied by U.S. forces without opposition on 16 October, 1944. By seizing Ulithi and Ngulu Atolls, our forces now flanked Yap Island at one time an important enemy air base and supply center.

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