German attacks on Nauru

German attacks on Nauru
Part of World War II
Damaged phosphate cantilever loading equipment following the German bombardment of Nauru on 27 December 1940
Date 6–8 December and 27 December 1940 Location Nauru Result German victory
Belligerents
Germany	Australia  United Kingdom  Norway
Commanders and leaders
Robert Eyssen
Strength
2 auxiliary cruisers 1 supply ship	No military presence
Casualties and losses
None	5 merchant ships sunk Damage to phosphate loading facilities

The German attacks on Nauru were conducted in December 1940 on the island of Nauru, an Australian-administered League of Nations mandate in the Central Pacific. Nauru was of considerable strategic importance for its phosphate resources. The attacks were conducted by auxiliary cruisers between 6 and 8 December and on 27 December. The raiders sank five Allied merchant ships and inflicted serious damage on Nauru's economically important phosphate-loading facilities. Under the terms of the League of Nations mandate, the island had no fortifications or military facilities and was consequently undefended, with the German forces unimpeded in their operations.

The two attacks were the most effective operations conducted by German raiders in the Pacific Ocean in World War II. They disrupted supplies of phosphate to Australia, New Zealand and Japan, which reduced agricultural production in these countries. In response, Allied naval vessels were deployed to protect Nauru and nearby Ocean Island and escort shipping in the South Pacific. Small garrisons were also established to protect the two islands, but Nauru was ultimately evacuated of most non-indigenous residents following the attack on Pearl Harbor and was invaded by the Japanese in 1942.