Operation Inmate

Operation Inmate
Part of Pacific War, Second World War
Black and white aerial photo of shoreline with smoke rising from buildings in the centre of the image
Shells from a British Pacific Fleet cruiser falling on Japanese oil tanks at Truk during the 15 June 1945 bombardment
Date14–15 June 1945
Location7°20′21″N 151°53′05″E / 7.3393°N 151.8846°E / 7.3393; 151.8846
Result Allied force achieved its goals
Belligerents
 United Kingdom
 Canada
 New Zealand
 United States
 Japan
Commanders and leaders
United Kingdom E. J. P. Brind Empire of Japan Shunzaburo Mugikura
Empire of Japan Chuichi Hara
Casualties and losses
2 killed
1 aircraft destroyed in combat
6 aircraft destroyed in accidents
Damage to airfields and other infrastructure
2 aircraft believed destroyed

Operation Inmate was an attack by the British Pacific Fleet against Japanese positions on Truk Atoll in the central Pacific Ocean during the Second World War. The attacks against the isolated islands on 14 and 15 June 1945 were conducted to provide combat experience for the aircraft carrier HMS Implacable and several of the fleet's cruisers and destroyers ahead of their involvement in more demanding operations off the Japanese home islands.

On 14 June 1945 British aircraft conducted a series of raids against Japanese positions at Truk. The next morning, several islands were bombarded by British and Canadian cruisers, though only one of the four warships involved achieved any success. Further air strikes took place in the afternoon and night of 15 June before the Allied force returned to its base.

The attack on Truk was considered successful for the Allied force, with the ships and air units gaining useful experience while suffering two fatalities and the loss of seven aircraft to combat and accidents. The damage to the Japanese facilities in the atoll, which had been repeatedly attacked during 1944 and 1945, was modest.