Operation Collie was a Royal Navy, British naval operation in World War II, from 5–11 July 1945. Its objectives were, firstly, naval bombardment and aerial strikes on Japanese positions in the Nicobar Islands,David Wragg, ''The Escort Carrier in the Second World War: Combustible, Vulnerable, Expendable!'', pages 157–169, 2005. particularly on Nancowry Island;Jürgen Rohwer, ''Chronology of the War at Sea, 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two'', page 423, 2005. secondly, providing cover for minesweeping operations in advance of a possible invasion; and thirdly, making carrier raids on Japanese airfields in northern Sumatra. These measures were a prelude for an invasion, Operation Zipper, which was never carried out due to the Surrender of Japan.Malcolm H. Murfett, ''Naval Warfare 1919–45: An Operational History of the Volatile War at Sea'', page 446, 2008.

Operational detail

Operation Collie was carried out under the direction of Rear Admiral Wilfrid Patterson, by Ruler-class aircraft carriers and , light cruiser , destroyers , , and , and escort carriers and , and the British 6th Minesweeper Flotilla, 6th Minesweeping Flotilla. The carriers transported Grumman F6F Hellcats of the 884 Naval Air Squadron, which flew 82 sorties. Accounts of casualties vary, but one report indicates that two pilots were killed, one during take-off, one in action; and six aircraft were lost, three to enemy action; while another indicated that seven aircraft were lost from the ''Ameer'', with all pilots rescued.HMS Ameer -1945
Overall, the mission was a success, with one report noting that "three flotillas of minesweepers cleared 167 mines off the northwest coast of Malaya and from the waters around the Nicobars."

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Collie, Operation World War II operations and battles of the Southeast Asia Theatre Naval aviation operations and battles World War II aerial operations and battles of the Pacific theatre Naval battles and operations of World War II involving the United Kingdom Aerial operations and battles of World War II involving the United Kingdom