Battle of Eniwetok

Landing craft heading for Eniwetok Island
on 19 February 1944

Date	17 February – 23 February 1944
Location	Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands
Result	United States victory

Belligerents

United States

Empire of Japan

Commanders and leaders

Harry W. Hill
Thomas E. Watson

Yoshimi Nishida †

Strength

2 regiments
-22nd Marine Regiment
-106th Infantry Regiment

3,500

Casualties and losses

313 killed
77 missing
879 wounded

3,380 killed
105 captured

The Battle of Eniwetok was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought between 17 February 1944 and 23 February 1944, on Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

The invasion of Eniwetok followed the American success in the Battle of Kwajalein to the southeast. Capture of Eniwetok would provide an airfield and harbour to support attacks on the Mariana Islands to the northwest.

In 1943 the Japanese established light defenses at Eniwetok—they believed that the Americans would strike at the southwestern Marshalls first. The 1st Amphibious Brigade reinforced the defenders in January 1944; its commander, Major General Yoshimi Nishida along with a tank Company, led by First Lieutenant Ichikawa (9 Type 95 Light Tanks). The 1st Amphibious began to construct defenses, but repeated air attacks made this difficult, and the tiny coral islands meant that defense in depth would be impossible.

Vice Admiral Raymond Spruance preceded the invasion with Operation Hailstone, a carrier strike against the Japanese base at Truk in the Caroline Islands. This raid destroyed 39 warships and more than 200 planes.

Naval bombardment of Eniwetok began on 17 February, and the 22nd Marine Regiment, commanded by Col John T. Walker, landed on Engebi Island, on 18 February at 08:43 the next day. Resistance was light, and the island was declared secure by 14:50, though mopping-up continued through the next day. US losses included 85 dead and missing plus 166 wounded.

Intelligence suggested that the defenses on Eniwetok Island would be heavier than planned, though there was a comparatively heavy preparatory bombardment before the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 106th Infantry Regiment went ashore at 09:16 on 19 February, followed by the 3/22 at 14:25. However, the Japanese soldiers had strong spider hole positions, plus the Japanese concentrated their forces to the southwest, counterattacking the American flank, which forced the Americans to attack through the night. The island was not secured until 21 February. 37 Americans were killed or missing and 94 wounded.

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