Emirau was seized unopposed by two Battalions of the 4th Marine Regiment on 20 March 1944. Naval Construction Battalions arrived shortly after the landings and began construction of two coral-surfaced by airfields on the island. Inshore Airfield had 35 double hardstands capable of parking 210 fighter or light-bomber planes, while North Cape Airfield had 42 hardstands with space for parking 84 heavy bombers. Both were fully equipped with towers, lighting, and a dispensary. The aviation tank farm consisted of three tanks and nineteen together with the appropriate filling and distribution points. A reserve of was stored in drums. Emirau was the staging point for attacks on the Japanese strongholds at Rabaul and Kavieng.