Operation Outflank facts for kids

Operation Outflank was a very important set of attacks during World War II. It was the first time the British Pacific Fleet (BPF) fought in a major battle. These attacks were carried out by planes from the Fleet Air Arm. Their main goal was to bomb oil factories and storage places belonging to Japan on the island of Sumatra.

What Was Operation Outflank?

Operation Outflank was a series of air raids that happened in late 1944 and early 1945. The British forces wanted to stop Japan from getting the fuel they needed for their ships and planes. These attacks were a big step for the British Navy in the Pacific Ocean.

Why Oil Was Important

During World War II, oil was like fuel for everything. Countries needed a lot of oil to power their warships, airplanes, tanks, and trucks. Without enough oil, a country's military could not move or fight effectively. Japan controlled many oil fields in Southeast Asia, especially on the island of Sumatra. This made these oil sites very important targets for the Allies.

The British Pacific Fleet

The British Pacific Fleet (BPF) was a large group of warships from the United Kingdom. It was formed to help the United States fight Japan in the Pacific Ocean. Before this, most British naval power was focused on fighting in Europe. Operation Outflank was the BPF's first big mission. It showed that the British Navy could operate far from home.

The Fleet Air Arm's Role

The Fleet Air Arm was the part of the British Navy that used aircraft. These planes would take off from aircraft carriers, which are like floating airfields. For Operation Outflank, their planes flew long distances to bomb the oil targets. They faced dangers from Japanese defenses and the long journey over the ocean.

The Attacks on Palembang

The main target for Operation Outflank was the oil refineries in a city called Palembang on Sumatra. These refineries turned crude oil into usable fuel. Destroying them would hurt Japan's ability to fight. The operation included several separate attacks:

Operation Robson

The first attack was Operation Robson on December 20, 1944. This was a smaller raid. It helped the British pilots and crews get used to flying long missions in the area. They learned important things about the weather and Japanese defenses.

Operation Lentil

Next came Operation Lentil on January 4, 1945. This was a bigger attack aimed at more oil facilities. The pilots had to fly through bad weather and face anti-aircraft fire. They caused damage to the oil plants.

Operation Meridian

The most important attacks were Operation Meridian I and II. Meridian I happened on January 24, 1945, and Meridian II on January 29, 1945. These were very large raids with many planes. The British pilots bombed the oil refineries at Palembang heavily. They caused a lot of damage, which greatly reduced Japan's oil production. These raids were very successful but also dangerous for the pilots.

What Happened Next?

After Operation Outflank, the British Pacific Fleet continued to fight in the Pacific. The units that took part in these attacks received a special honor. It was called the "Palembang 1945" battle honour. This honor recognized their bravery and success in these important missions.