Operation Diplomat facts for kids
Operation Diplomat was an important training exercise for the Allied navies during World War II. It took place in March 1944. The main goal was for the British Eastern Fleet to practice new ways of working together. This training would help them get ready for future battles as part of the British Pacific Fleet.
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Getting Ready for Training
The training started on March 21, 1944. Some ships from the British Eastern Fleet left their bases. These bases were Trincomalee and Colombo in Ceylon (which is now Sri Lanka).
Meeting the Tankers
The ships sailed about 850 miles south of Ceylon. On March 24, they met up with three tanker ships. These tankers were protected by the Dutch cruiser HNLMS Tromp. For the next two days, the warships practiced refuelling at sea. This means they learned how to get fuel from the tankers while still sailing.
Joining Forces with US Ships
On March 27, the British fleet met a special group of US Navy ships. This group included the large aircraft carrier USS Saratoga. Three destroyers were also with the Saratoga: USS Dunlap, USS Cummings, and USS Fanning.
Learning Together
After joining forces, the combined fleet returned to Trincomalee. British pilots and aircrews from the Fleet Air Arm spent two busy days learning. They learned important flying procedures from the American aircrews. The Americans shared their valuable experience with the British. This helped the British prepare for big naval operations.
Ships Involved in Operation Diplomat
Many different warships took part in Operation Diplomat. These ships were from the British Eastern Fleet.
Battleships and Carriers
The flagship of the vice admiral was HMS Renown. Other large battleships included HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Valiant. The fleet also had the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious.
Cruisers and Destroyers
Several cruisers joined the operation. These were HMS London, HMS Cumberland, HMS Gambia, and HMS Ceylon. In addition to these, ten destroyers also participated in the training.
