on 20 november 1943, the united states launched "operation galvanic" to retake the gilbert islands. "isuzu" ferried troops from ponape to kwajalein and mili (mille). while at roi, on 5 december 1943, "isuzu" was attacked by douglas sbd dauntless dive-bombers and grumman tbf avenger torpedo-bombers from tg 50.1's aircraft carriers and . repairs were conducted at kwajalein and truk, but "isuzu" was forced to withdraw once again to yokosuka on 17 january 1944.