PDF Summary:With the Old Breed, by E. B. Sledge

With the Old Breed is E. B. Sledge's firsthand account of fighting as a U.S. Marine in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Sledge describes the brutal conditions and intense combat he experienced during the campaigns at Peleliu and Okinawa, providing detailed observations about the weapons, tactics, and terrain that defined Pacific warfare.

Beyond the technical aspects of combat, Sledge examines the profound psychological and physical toll of war on soldiers. He discusses the strong bonds formed between Marines, the extreme hatred between American and Japanese forces, and how prolonged exposure to combat's horrors eroded the humanity of those involved. His account offers an unfiltered look at the savage realities of island warfare and the ways that extended combat changed the men who survived it.

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(Shortform note: The Japanese forces' ideal in-depth defense, which turned the entire island of Peleliu into a battlefront, was a direct response to the heavy losses they suffered in earlier battles. After the disastrous outcomes in the Solomons, Gilberts, and Marshalls, the Imperial General Headquarters ordered its island garrisons to shift to a protracted war of attrition. They built dispersed, mutually supporting defensive systems in depth, often using natural caves and artificial shelters. This strategy aimed to conserve their combat power and inflict maximum casualties on the Americans, rather than trying to annihilate the first assault waves at the water's edge. The goal was to delay the American timetable as much as possible.)

At Peleliu, U.S. casualties in terms of ratios were very similar to those incurred afterward at Iwo Jima, where the Japanese again used an elaborate in-depth defense strategy, conserved forces, and waged a battle of attrition. To an even greater extent, the adept and persistent defense of southern Okinawa employed the same complex, deep defense method first tried at Peleliu.

(Shortform note: The Japanese high command in Tokyo ordered the garrisons of islands like Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa to avoid dying in beach assaults and instead prolong resistance from concealed strongpoints in the interior. The hope was that the time gained and the shock of American losses would improve Japan’s diplomatic leverage. This strategy was adopted in 1944 after the loss of the Marianas.)

The Japanese also used the landscape to their advantage. Sledge explains that they hid in pillboxes and caves and attacked at night. They were able to creep silently over the rough terrain and infiltrate the Marines’ lines, attacking with sabers, bayonets, and knives. The Marines needed to exercise caution to avoid shooting their own men when the Japanese got close.

(Shortform note: Pillboxes are small, low bunkers made of concrete or coral. The Japanese built them to conceal and protect their gunners while they fired at the Marines through narrow slits. The Japanese built pillboxes on the beaches of Peleliu to defend against the Marines’ amphibious assault.)

Marine Offensive & Reactive Tactics

In response, the Marines used a combination of artillery, mortars, infantry, and armored vehicles in their offensive tactics. Sledge points out that those wielding rifles spearheaded every offensive, so they suffered the most. Gunners faced challenges since Japanese forces focused on eliminating them. The flamethrower operators, rocket launcher crews, and those handling demolitions also had a tough time. The 60mm mortarmen were targeted by Japanese counter-battery fire, snipers, bypassed machine guns, and mortars. The tank operators faced attacks from mortars, cannons, and mines.

Counter-Battery Fire

The term “counter-battery fire” may be unfamiliar to some readers. According to some online encyclopedia editors, counter-battery fire is a type of artillery warfare that focuses on targeting and neutralizing enemy artillery units. This involves using specialized techniques and equipment to locate and destroy enemy artillery positions, such as mortars, rocket launchers, and howitzers. The goal is to suppress or eliminate the enemy's ability to provide indirect fire support to their own troops. Counter-battery fire is a complex and specialized aspect of artillery warfare that requires coordination, intelligence gathering, and precise targeting.

To keep progressing, the Marines avoided isolated marksmen or machine gunners. Sledge notes that these Japanese forces were defeated by reserve infantry groups. Mortars fiercely attacked the enemy ahead, while a minor skirmish broke out in the rear between entrenched Japanese that had been bypassed and Marines on standby. These Japanese forces often shot from behind, stalling progress and inflicting losses. The soldiers needed to be highly disciplined to operate like this, and their leaders needed to be excellent to organize everything amid the chaos.

(Shortform note: The use of reserve infantry groups to deal with isolated marksmen or machine gunners was a key part of the Marine Corps’ tactical doctrine. In Semper Fidelis, Allan R. Millett explains that the Marine Corps combined the infiltration tactics of World War I with their new amphibious assault doctrine. This combination of tactics became the standard method for attacking fortified island positions and shaped how Marine units fought throughout the Pacific War.)

The Human Cost of War in the Pacific

The conflict in the Pacific region was marked by intense hatred and brutal fighting. According to Sledge, the Marines' animosity toward the Japanese stemmed from the surprise assault on Pearl Harbor and their combat strategies, such as feigning death to ambush. The Japanese loathed the Marines due to their fanatical devotion to their cause. This mutual hatred led to savage fighting and a reluctance to capture prisoners.

Marines looted the dead Japanese soldiers, taking their gold teeth and other items. They suffered heavy casualties, with 7,613 dead or missing and 31,807 injured during the fighting. The Japanese troops suffered even more, with 107,539 dead and 10,000 surrendering. The combat was so intense that it eroded the Marines’ sense of civilization and made them feel like savages.

The Pacific War and Racial Ideology

Historians and scholars have extensively studied the Pacific War, drawing on a wide range of sources, including military training films, popular magazines, and political speeches. These sources provide valuable insights into the attitudes and behaviors of both American and Japanese soldiers during the conflict. In War Without Mercy, John W. Dower argues that the Pacific War was characterized by a pervasive racial ideology that dehumanized the enemy. He explains that both American and Japanese propaganda portrayed the other side as subhuman, using animalistic imagery and language to justify extreme violence. This dehumanization, he argues, contributed to the brutality of the conflict and the reluctance to take prisoners. Dower also discusses how this racial ideology was not limited to the battlefield but permeated all aspects of society. He cites examples from popular culture, such as cartoons and movies, that reinforced these stereotypes and normalized violence against the enemy.

Now, we’ll explore the mental and bodily toll of combat.

Psychological & Social Realities of Combat

Combat causes severe psychological stress and emotional exhaustion. Sledge explains that the constant threat of dying, the loss of comrades, and the gruesome realities of war take a heavy toll on the mind and spirit. This stress can lead to a range of psychological reactions, from numb detachment to uncontrollable sobbing or shrieking. Extended periods of exposure to shelling are particularly damaging, often breaking men psychologically. The exhaustion and pressure of fighting can make soldiers resigned to fate, wishing only for a painless outcome.

Moral Injury in Combat

Since Sledge’s time, our understanding of the psychological impact of combat has evolved. In Achilles in Vietnam, psychiatrist Jonathan Shay argues that many of the psychological breakdowns Sledge describes are better understood as “moral injury” rather than just the result of physical danger. Shay explains that when soldiers are forced to violate their own moral codes or witness atrocities, it can shatter their sense of right and wrong, leading to deep psychological wounds. This perspective suggests that the emotional exhaustion Sledge describes may stem not just from fear, but from the moral compromises and betrayals inherent in war.

Next, we’ll explore the social dynamics within the Marine Corps and the moral consequences of the war.

Internal Unit Dynamics

The Marines formed strong bonds and a sense of brotherhood in the war. Sledge describes the camaraderie and friendliness among them and highlights the courage and leadership of the officers, especially Lieutenant Jones and Captain Haldane. He says that the war's sole redeeming quality was the devotion the Marines had to each other. The collective spirit sustained them.

(Shortform note: Sledge’s description of the “collective spirit” that sustained the Marines during the war is an early example of what military sociologists later called “primary group cohesion.” This concept refers to the intense bonds of loyalty and mutual support that develop among small combat units.)

External Relations & Moral Consequences

The brutality of war can lead to moral degradation and cruelty. Sledge describes how the Marines’ intense loathing of the Japanese led them to commit acts of cruelty, such as looting the dead and mutilating corpses. He also describes how the Japanese troops mutilated dead Marines. His loathing for the Japanese was so intense that he couldn't empathize with their suffering. He also explains how the brutality of war led the American soldiers to become unsympathetic and unfeeling, and how they lost their ability to make fair judgments about others.

(Shortform note: In On Killing, US Army Lt. Col. Dave Grossman argues that most soldiers are naturally reluctant to kill, even in the most brutal combat situations. He cites evidence from World War II, where only 15 to 20 percent of American infantrymen fired their weapons directly at the enemy with the intent to kill. The rest either withheld their fire or shot without aiming. Grossman argues that this reluctance to kill is due to the powerful moral and psychological restraints that most people have against taking a human life.)

Physical & Environmental Attrition

Environmental Challenges & Attrition

The harsh environment and terrain of Peleliu posed significant challenges to the Marines. Sledge describes the area as flat and sparsely wooded, with rough ridges and broken trees. The dense undergrowth concealed the real character of the terrain, so intelligence officers didn't realize how rugged it was. The invasion of Peleliu presented the dual challenges of Tarawa and Saipan, with its coastal reef and well-fortified inland coral ridges. The reef was the biggest natural hurdle, requiring troops and equipment to be moved using amtracs since Higgins boats couldn’t traverse the rough coral and fluctuating water depths.

(Shortform note: Today, geospatial intelligence would likely prevent the kind of surprise the Marines faced at Peleliu. Satellite and airborne imaging can virtually “remove” foliage and map ridges and reefs before a single boot hits the sand. This technology would have allowed planners to identify the rugged terrain and coral obstacles that caught the Marines off guard, potentially saving lives and equipment.)