Operation Lentil (Sumatra) facts for kids
Operation Lentil was a special air attack during World War II. It happened on January 4, 1945. British planes, launched from ships, attacked oil factories in Pangkalan Brandan, Sumatra. This area was very important for making oil in Indonesia.
The main goal of Operation Lentil was to stop the flow of fuel. This fuel was used by Japanese forces in the Pacific Ocean. This attack was also part of a bigger plan called Operation Outflank.
The Attack Force
For this mission, the British Royal Navy used three large aircraft carriers. These were HMS Indomitable, HMS Indefatigable, and HMS Victorious.
These carriers were protected by other powerful ships:
- Four cruisers: HMS Suffolk, Ceylon, Argonaut, and Black Prince.
- Eight destroyers, which are fast, smaller warships.
This attack was the biggest air assault the Royal Navy had ever launched against Japan. The three carriers carried a total of 88 fighter planes.
Mission Outcome
Even though some fighter pilots did not follow their orders, the attack was a success. Their main job was to protect the bombers. Instead, some pilots chose to fight enemy planes.
Despite this, the mission was considered a good step forward. It led to more attacks on Japanese oil production in Sumatra. These later attacks were known as Operation Meridian.
The entire air operation was led by Philip Vian. He was a Rear admiral, which is a high-ranking naval officer. Admiral Vian was in charge of the air operations for the British Pacific Fleet. Many of the pilots involved in the mission were from New Zealand.
