Airfields were being constructed as the battle was still being fought, but the delay in the start of the Palaus operation meant that the airfields were not ready in time for the start of the Philippines operations in October 1944.
Airfields were being constructed. The battle was still being fought. The airfields were not ready in time for the start of the Philippines operations in October 1944. This was what the delay in the start of the Palaus operation meant.