Maloelap Atoll was claimed by the German Empire along with the rest of the Marshall Islands in 1885.

[3] After World War I, the island came under the South Seas Mandate of the Empire of Japan.

In 1939, the Japanese built a seaplane base and landplane Taroa Airfield with two runways (4800' + 4100') and support buildings and facilities, including a radar station.

[4] The island was attacked by the United States Navy beginning in February 1942 starting with carrier-based aircraft and shelling by warships.

The attacks grew in frequency and severity after Majuro and Kwajalein had fallen to the Americans.