Operation Meridian: Difference between revisions
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{{campaignbox Bombing of SE Asia 1944-45}} |
{{campaignbox Bombing of SE Asia 1944-45}} |
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'''Operation Meridian,''' also known as the '''"Palembang Raids"''' was part of [[Operation Outflank|a series of British air attacks]] directed at Japanese-held oil refineries near [[Palembang]] on Sumatra during the [[World War II|Second World War]], Meridian had two phases: Meridian One on 24 January 1945 and Meridian Two on 29 January. As a result, the critical aviation fuel output of the plants at [[Palembang]] was reduced by seventy-five percent. |
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== The attacks == |
== The attacks == |
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The attacks were made by aircraft from the British Task Force 63, en route to [[Sydney]], Australia, where it |
The attacks were made by aircraft from the British Task Force 63, en route to [[Sydney]], Australia, where it would translate into the [[British Pacific Fleet]]{{Efn|And subsequently participated in the support of the Allied invasion of Okinawa ([[Operation Iceberg]])}} . Refuelling at sea was needed and this was supplied by Task Force 69 of the [[British Eastern Fleet]], three escorted tankers. |
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Task Force 63 left [[Trincomalee]] in Ceylon on 13 January 1945, for |
Task Force 63 left [[Trincomalee]] in [[British Ceylon|Ceylon]] on 13 January 1945, for Sumatra. On 20 January, Task Force 63 rendezvoused with Task Force 69 and refuelled with great difficulty because of gusting winds and a troublesome swell. The oilers complained of much pumping gear being damaged.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}} |
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The first attack Operation |
The first attack Operation Meridian One, an air strike on the oil refinery at Pladjoe, north of Palembang, Sumatra was delayed by poor weather from 21 January and the fleet waited off [[Enggano Island]]. The attack was finally launched at 6am on 24 January with a lack of wind making take-off more risky.<ref name="DF">{{cite web |date=18 July 2010 |title=Obituary:Lieutenant-Commander David Foster |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/naval-obituaries/7897263/Lieutenant-Commander-David-Foster.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=18 July 2010 |work=The Sunday Telegraph}}</ref> |
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Forty-three [[Grumman TBF Avenger|Grumman Avenger]] [[torpedo bomber]]s, twelve [[Fairey Firefly]] fighter-bombers with rockets and fifty [[Grumman F6F Hellcat|Grumman Hellcat]], [[Vought F4U Corsair|Vought Corsair]] and [[Supermarine Seafire]] fighters were launched, approaching with the sun behind them and diving from |
Forty-three [[Grumman TBF Avenger|Grumman Avenger]] [[torpedo bomber]]s, twelve [[Fairey Firefly]] fighter-bombers with rockets and fifty [[Grumman F6F Hellcat|Grumman Hellcat]], [[Vought F4U Corsair|Vought Corsair]] and [[Supermarine Seafire]] fighters were launched, approaching with the sun behind them and diving from 9,000 feet to 3,000 feet to release their bombs.<ref name=DF/> Despite the presence of barrage balloons the refinery was successfully attacked.<ref name=DF/> Losses were heavier than on previous raids; 32 aircraft were lost due to enemy action and crash landings.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}} The Avenger squadrons that participated included [[820 Naval Air Squadron|820]], [[849 Naval Air Squadron|849]], [[854 Naval Air Squadron|854]] and [[857 Naval Air Squadron|857]] Naval Air Squadrons.<ref>{{cite web |date=19 February 2016 |title=849 squadron celebrate Palembang battle honour |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2016/february/19/160219-849-squadron-celebrate-palembang-battle-honour |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222204838/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2016/february/19/160219-849-squadron-celebrate-palembang-battle-honour |archive-date=2016-02-22 |website=royalnavy.mod.uk}} </ref> |
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The fleet refuelled again on 26–27 January. In practice, this was unsatisfactory as, with a mixture of poor weather and inexperience, the tankers suffered damage as ships failed to keep station and hoses parted.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}} |
The fleet refuelled again on 26–27 January. In practice, this was unsatisfactory as, with a mixture of poor weather and inexperience, the tankers suffered damage as ships failed to keep station and hoses parted.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}} |
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On 29 January, the second raid, Operation |
On 29 January, the second raid, Operation Meridian Two, against the oil refinery at [[Soengei Gerong]], [[Sumatra]], was undertaken. Despite poor visibility, the flying-off was delayed by less than half an hour and the air strike was made against the oil refinery. Allied aviators claimed 30 Japanese planes shot down in dogfights and another 38 destroyed on the ground, for the loss of 16 British aircraft. A small Japanese counterattack was attempted, but was defeated by fighter cover and anti-aircraft fire.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}} |
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Task Force 63 |
Task Force 63 refuelled from Task Force 69 for the final time on 30 January and sailed for [[Fremantle, Western Australia]] while Task Force 69 returned to Trincomalee. |
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==Allied order of battle== |
==Allied order of battle== |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[Operation Boomerang]] |
*[[Operation Boomerang]] |
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==Notes== |
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{{Notelist}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
Revision as of 19:34, 15 September 2023
This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2015) |
Operation Meridian, also known as the "Palembang Raids" was part of a series of British air attacks directed at Japanese-held oil refineries near Palembang on Sumatra during the Second World War, Meridian had two phases: Meridian One on 24 January 1945 and Meridian Two on 29 January. As a result, the critical aviation fuel output of the plants at Palembang was reduced by seventy-five percent.
The attacks
The attacks were made by aircraft from the British Task Force 63, en route to Sydney, Australia, where it would translate into the British Pacific Fleet[a] . Refuelling at sea was needed and this was supplied by Task Force 69 of the British Eastern Fleet, three escorted tankers.
Task Force 63 left Trincomalee in Ceylon on 13 January 1945, for Sumatra. On 20 January, Task Force 63 rendezvoused with Task Force 69 and refuelled with great difficulty because of gusting winds and a troublesome swell. The oilers complained of much pumping gear being damaged.[citation needed]
The first attack Operation Meridian One, an air strike on the oil refinery at Pladjoe, north of Palembang, Sumatra was delayed by poor weather from 21 January and the fleet waited off Enggano Island. The attack was finally launched at 6am on 24 January with a lack of wind making take-off more risky.[1]
Forty-three Grumman Avenger torpedo bombers, twelve Fairey Firefly fighter-bombers with rockets and fifty Grumman Hellcat, Vought Corsair and Supermarine Seafire fighters were launched, approaching with the sun behind them and diving from 9,000 feet to 3,000 feet to release their bombs.[1] Despite the presence of barrage balloons the refinery was successfully attacked.[1] Losses were heavier than on previous raids; 32 aircraft were lost due to enemy action and crash landings.[citation needed] The Avenger squadrons that participated included 820, 849, 854 and 857 Naval Air Squadrons.[2]
The fleet refuelled again on 26–27 January. In practice, this was unsatisfactory as, with a mixture of poor weather and inexperience, the tankers suffered damage as ships failed to keep station and hoses parted.[citation needed]
On 29 January, the second raid, Operation Meridian Two, against the oil refinery at Soengei Gerong, Sumatra, was undertaken. Despite poor visibility, the flying-off was delayed by less than half an hour and the air strike was made against the oil refinery. Allied aviators claimed 30 Japanese planes shot down in dogfights and another 38 destroyed on the ground, for the loss of 16 British aircraft. A small Japanese counterattack was attempted, but was defeated by fighter cover and anti-aircraft fire.[citation needed]
Task Force 63 refuelled from Task Force 69 for the final time on 30 January and sailed for Fremantle, Western Australia while Task Force 69 returned to Trincomalee.
Allied order of battle
The ships involved in Operation Meridian were:
Force 63: (Rear Admiral Philip Vian):
- Aircraft carriers: HMS Indomitable, Illustrious, Indefatigable and Victorious
- Battleship: HMS King George V
- Anti-aircraft cruisers: HMS Argonaut, Black Prince and Euryalus,
- Destroyer Flotilla 25: HMS Grenville, Undine, Ursa and Undaunted
- Destroyer Flotilla 27: HMS Kempenfelt, Wakeful, Whirlwind, Wager, Whelp and Wessex (from 19 January 1945)
Force 69
- HMS Ceylon (light cruiser)
- HMS Urchin (destroyer)
- Oilers: RFA Wave King, RFA Echodale, Empire Salvage
See also
Notes
- ^ And subsequently participated in the support of the Allied invasion of Okinawa (Operation Iceberg)
References
- ^ a b c "Obituary:Lieutenant-Commander David Foster". The Sunday Telegraph. 18 July 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
- ^ "849 squadron celebrate Palembang battle honour". royalnavy.mod.uk. 19 February 2016. Archived from the original on 22 February 2016.
External links
- Royal Navy in the Indian and Pacific Oceans
- Leading Air Mechanic Maurice Whiteing and his photographic record of HMS Indomitable in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, 1944-45, including the Palembang Raid
- Operation Meridian I - Codenames : Operations of WW2
- Operation Meridian II - Codenames : Operations of WW2