Operation Millet

Operation Millet was a British naval operation in World War II, the objective being the execution naval bombardment and aerial strikes on Japanese positions in the Nicobar Islands, on 17–20 October 1944,^[1] in order to distract Japanese forces from an American invasion of the Philippine province of Leyte. Ships involved included Aircraft carriers HMS Victorious^[1] and HMS Indomitable; battlecruiser HMS Renown; and light cruiser HMS Phoebe.^[2]

Only negligible opposition was encountered until the morning of 19 October when, in an air battle, seven out of a force of twelve Japanese torpedo bombers were shot down for the loss of three of the British carrier aircraft.

As a diversion the attacks had no effect, for the Japanese had already concentrated all their naval forces for the defence of the Philippine islands group.^[3]