Sledge says the worst experience he ever had in the second world war was on pellalo trying to an open air field. To be shelled by massed artillery and mortars is absolutely terrifying, but to be shelled in the open is terror compounded beyond the belief of anyone who hasn't experienced it. The attack across pellelo's airfield was the worst combat experience i had during the entire war. Sledge said once that if you were a hundred yards behind the front line, you didn't understand it n you could be a rear port person and still be in great danger in theSecond World War.