The United States Marine Corps landed on Funafuti on 2 October 1942 and on Nanumea and Nukufetau in August 1943. The Ellice Islands were used as a base to prepare for the subsequent seaborn attacks on the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati) that were occupied by Japanese forces.
the UnIteD staTes marIne CorPs lAndED on FuNAfUTi on 2 OcTober 1942 and oN Nanumea and nukuFetau in AUgust 1943. tHe ellice islands wEre uSED as a basE tO PrEparE fOr the suBsequent SEabORN attaCks on thE GilbeRt islAnds (kirIBATI) thaT weRE occupIED By JapaneSE fOrces.