A lagoon with over twenty smaller islands that make up the Funafuti Atoll.

History
Occupied by eleven USN warships beginning on October 2, 1942. During the war, Funafuti was a USN staging base and area.

Japanese Air Raids
Nine Japanese air raids occurred between 27 March and 17 November 1943 when Japanese aircraft attacked Funafuti. Although killing one local man and a dozen Americans they did little damage.

April 23, 1943 Raid
680 islanders took refuge in the concrete walled, pandanus-thatched church. Fortunately for them an American soldier, Corporal B. F. Ladd, persuaded them to get out of there and into dugouts. Ten minutes later, a large bomb destroyed the building. During the raids, eight Japanese planes and their crews were lost while attacking the island. Only one islander, Esau Sepetaina, was killed in that raid.

Today
Tuvalu's capital Funafuti is a tiny coral atoll; the width is only about 20 meters at the narrowest parts, and about 300-400 meters at the widest areas of the island. It has an estimated population of 4,000 and is a low key place. There is a cluster of administrative buildings near the air terminal along with a The Church of Tuvalu. The local village is a ten minute walk to the north with a deep water wharf, a further ten minute walk north of the village.

Funafuti Airfield
Built by US Navy Seabees, still in use today

Funafuti Seaplane Base
Seaplane ramp built by US Navy Seabees, abandoned since the war

Funafuti Lagoon
A USN base and staging area. During various points in the war, there were varying numbers of ships at anchor. In October 1943 forty-three ships entered the harbor, and at its height, 174 in January 1944.