"Tennessee" thereafter deployed to the central Pacific to take part in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, beginning with the Battle of Tarawa in November. The Battles of Kwajalein and Eniwetok followed in early 1944, by which time work on "California" had been completed. While "California" was still conducting sea trials, "Tennessee" next took part in the final stages of Operation Cartwheel by bombarding Kavieng as a diversionary attack. "California" was ready for service in time for the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign in mid-1944, and both ships shelled Japanese positions on Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. The two ships collided while en route to the last target in the campaign, Peleliu, which prevented "California" from participating in the Battle of Peleliu, though "Tennessee" remained in action. During the fighting on Tinian, "Tennessee" was hit by Japanese field artillery and slightly damaged.