Operation Transom

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During World War II, Operation Transom was a naval air attack on Japanese targets at Surabaya, Java by United States and British carrier planes. It was the second of two raids (Operation Cockpit being the first) that marked the first important use of the British Fleet Air Arm in the Far East. It took place on 17 May 1944.

The Royal Navy was buiding its naval strength in the Indian Ocean in preparation for joining the war in the Pacific (see British Pacific Fleet) and needed to acquire necessary skills in mass naval air raids and replenishment at sea. The raids on Sumatra and Java were joined by the USS Saratoga after a joint training exercise.