However, it was isolated by the rapid Allied advances in the Pacific during 1943 and early 1944, and ceased to be a significant base after being heavily attacked by the United States Navy's Fast Carrier Task Force during Operation Hailstone in February 1944.
Porén, o rápido avance dos aliados durante o ano 1943 e comezos do 1944 deixouna illada, e deixou de ser unha base importante tralo ataque por parte do Corpo Especial de Portaavións Rápidos da armada estadounidense durante a Operación Hailstone en febreiro de 1944.