82 years ago today- A Marine with the 22nd Regiment using a flamethrower to flush out Japanese defenders during the Battle of Engebi, Eniwetok, Marshall Islands, February 17, 1944. [1440×1368]

The Battle of Engebi was the first stage in the US conquest of Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands (Operation Catchpole). The landings on the island of Engebi were carried out by two battalions from the 22nd Marines who landed on the afternoon of February 17, 1944.

During the Battle, the Marines lost 85 killed / missing and 521 wounded, the Japanese defenders lost 1,276 dead with 16 prisoners.

LIFE Magazine Archives – George Strock Photographer WWP-PD