- Author
- Hobbs, D.A., MBE, Commander, RN
- Subjects
- WWII operations
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- September 2000 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
Initial interpretation of photographs taken by PR Hellcats from Indomitable during the strike showed hits on a powerhouse, three crude distilleries, two other distillation units, a cracking plant and a reforming unit. A wireless station 3 miles north west of Palembang was strafed by Fireflies and left in flames. The escort accounted for 13 enemy fighters and 6 probables in the air to add to the aircraft destroyed on the ground by the Ramrod Flights. Against this, 2 Avengers, 1 Hellcat and 6 Corsairs were lost.
The small force that attacked Mana airfield found little activity there. One aircraft was destroyed on the ground and the runway was cratered by bombs. One Hellcat pilot was slightly wounded by AAA.
The main strike started to land on at 0940 and the recovery was completed by 1025. One enemy aircraft was found to have followed the returning striking force but was not recognised for what he was by the plot until too late for a successful interception. It succeeded in reporting the Fleet’s course and speed correctly but not its composition. The Force headed southwest at 22 knots. At 1415, when 42 miles south of Engano Island, about 4 enemy aircraft were detected on radar near the island. The High CAP was sent to intercept but recalled when the radar contacts faded at 1430. No further attempt was made to attack the BPF on this day.
Replenishment at sea
Force 63 oiled in two groups on 26 and 27 January. Illustrious and Victorious, the carriers with the smallest aviation fuel stowage topped up with AVGAS. This operation revealed the inadequacy of the converted tankers and the “astern” method of refuelling with buoyant hoses used by the Royal Navy at this time. The USN, with purpose built fast fleet tankers capable of fuelling warships by the “abeam” method with high pumping rates was much better off. The lack of proper underway replenishment facilities was to hamper the BPF throughout its operations in 1945.
Oiling was slowed by a number of hoses breaking at the joints as well as the low pumping rate of the tankers. The staff calculated that after the delays caused to the first strike by OPERATION ‘MERIDIAN’ weather and the high fuel usage rate that followed Admiral Vian’s choice of high speed there was insufficient fuel available for a third strike. The strike at the Soengei Gerong Refinery would be the last and it would not be possible to “mop up” any key installations that were left undamaged.
Changes to the Strike Plan
As a result of experience, two changes were made to the plan for the strike against the second refinery. The single, large Ramrod used in MERIDIAN I had achieved surprise at first but lost it as it moved on to subsequent airfields. It was decided this time to use two independent Ramrods timed to arrive simultaneously at the two main enemy fighter fields. They were ordered to CAP over the airfields after strafing them. Some thought was given to ordering the Ramrod leaders to join and reinforce the close escort if they considered it necessary, but the Staff rejected this option on the grounds that too many flexible options might lead to chaos.
Secondly, the bombers were ordered to turn right handed after their attack and to proceed to the rendezvous south of the refinery complex. The same rendezvous was retained and no account was taken of the fact that it was too far away from the target and that there were simply not enough fighters to support the Avengers which would be spread out over the whole 25 mile route from the target to Semoental Island.
A third change, to launch from a position north of Engano Island, was not used since it was thought unlikely that the enemy could have moved submarines into a position to threaten Force 63 by 29 January.
It was appreciated, however, that the enemy would be expecting a second attack since Soengei Gerong had been left untouched and so four fighters from each of Victorious, Illustrious and Indomitable were taken from the close escort to reinforce Indefatigable’s Seafires available for Fleet CAP. To make up this deficiency, to some extent, the Fireflies were allocated as close escort fighters. This change was justified by the belief that the Japanese would make a real effort to attack the carriers, probably using Kamikaze aircraft.
The Second Strike
Force 63 arrived at the planned launch position at 0600 on 29 January 1945 to find a belt of heavy rainstorms 30 miles off the coast although the Barrisan Mountains were visible clear of cloud on the horizon. The launch was postponed from 0615 to 0640 and the carriers managed to find a clear patch although conditions were not ideal for the form up after the launch. Despite visibility, which dropped to half a mile in places, the form up was well executed and the strike set heading at 0732.