The objective was to bomb Japanese positions in and around Padang, on the south-western coast of Sumatra, in Indonesia, on 24 August 1944.

[1] The primary targets of the attack, Padang airfield, the Indaroeng cement works, and the harbor facilities and shipping at Emmahaven were hit.

[6] The force set out from Trincomalee on 19 August, delaying for 24 hours so the submarine HMS Sea Rover could replace Severn, which was experiencing technical difficulties.

The first wave consisted of twenty Barracudas (ten from each carrier) with 500 lb (230 kg) bombs and an escort of 19 Vought F4U Corsairs.

The Japanese were not induced to divert resources from the Americans at Hollandia (now Jayapura) in New Guinea, according to the post-war testimony of Lieutenant-General Numata Takazo, the former chief of staff of the Southern Expeditionary Army Group.