During her second war patrol, from 17 October–9 November, "Paddle" took station off Nauru to provide continuous weather reporting for the carrier task force attacking the Gilbert and Marshall Islands to cover the Tarawa landings. She also guided, by radio, Army bombers in to raid Tarawa and attacked "Nippon Maru" off Eniwetok, though escorting destroyers forced her down before she could observe the damage inflicted on the tanker.