 Massachusetts arrived at Nouméa , New Caledonia on 4 March 1943 . For the next few months , she operated in the South Pacific , protecting convoy lanes and supporting operations in the Solomon Islands . From 19 – 21 November , she sailed with an aircraft carrier group striking Makin , Tarawa , and <unk> in the Gilbert Islands . On 8 December , Massachusetts along with five other fast battleships ( USS Indiana ( BB @-@ 58 ) , USS North Carolina ( BB @-@ 55 ) , USS South Dakota ( BB @-@ 57 ) , USS Washington ( BB @-@ 56 ) , and USS Alabama ( BB @-@ 60 ) ) , bombarded Nauru Island , an enemy phosphate @-@ producing center , causing severe damage to shore installations there . 
