Location
Lat 5° 40' 0S Long 176° 7' 60E Nanumea Island is located in Tuvalu (Ellice Islands). Borders Nanumea Lagoon at the northwest corner, and borders the smaller islands
of Temotufoliki Island
and a number of smaller islands inside the coral area. Nanumea
is 295 miles from Funafuti, and accessible only by sea.
Wartime History
During August 1943, U. S. Marines occupied Nanumea Island. Between August 18-28, 1943 elements of the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) 7th Air Force (7th AF) plus a battalion of U. S. Navy (USN) Seabees, from USS Independence and USS Princeton, occupied Nanumea. When the American forces
arrived, the islanders were ordered to move to Lakena.
Japanese Air Raids
Several Japanese air raids from Kiribati targeted Nanumea. In August
1943 the ship John Williams was attacked while it was unloading supplies
for coastwatchers.
Nanumea Airfield
Completed by US Navy Seabees in October 1943. Used as a fighter and bomber base.
Nanumea Lagoon
Much surplus wartime equipment
was dumped into the lagoon. There is the wreckage of several US landing
craft.
Wreck
of John Williams
The wrecked American cargo ship, near the main settlement on the island.
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Last Updated
October 23, 2019
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