Operation Meridian

In August 1944, Operation Boomerang the USAF had used Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bombers against the refineries to cut the supply of fuel to the Japanese.

At the end of 1944, Rear Admiral Sir Philip Vian had deployed the aircraft carriers Indomitable, Indefatigable and Victorious for an air attack (operation Robson) against a refinery at Belawan Deli, in North Sumatra[1][2] The carrier squadrons had exchanged their Fairey Barracuda aircraft for US-supplied Grumman Avengers which, due to their radial engines, had better performance in the hot climate.

The two refineries at Palembang were the largest in South East Asia and could supply Japan with three-quarters of its aviation fuel needs.

[citation needed] The first attack - against the oil refinery at Pladjoe, north of Palembang, Sumatra - was delayed by poor weather from 21 January and the fleet waited off Enggano Island.

In practice, this was unsatisfactory as, with a mixture of poor weather and inexperience, the tankers suffered damage as ships failed to keep station and hoses parted.