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The British Eastern Fleet (also known as the '''East Indies Fleet''' and the '''Far East Fleet''') was a Fleet of the Royal Navy during World War II and post war until 1971 . During World War II It operated in the Indian Ocean and was based in Trincomalee in Ceylon . Post War it operated in all Far East Areas including parts of the Pacific. LIST OF SHIPS Ships attached to the Eastern Fleet include:
The USS Saratoga also served with the Eastern Fleet. SINGAPORE Before the Fall Of Singapore , the naval base there was part of the British Far East Command . Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton was appointed to command the Eastern Fleet there following the Sinking Of Prince Of Wales And Repulse . He then retreated to Java . Following the Fall Of Singapore , he handed over command to Admiral Sir James Somerville . INDIAN OCEAN RETREAT Following the Japanese capture of the Andaman Islands , the main elements of the Fleet retreated to Addu Atoll in Maldives . Then, following Chuichi Nagumo 's Indian Ocean Raid in early 1942 , the Fleet moved its operational base to Kilindini near Mombasa in Kenya , as their more forward fleet anchorages could not be adequately protected from Japanese attack. The fleet in the Indian Ocean was then gradually reduced to little more than a convoy escort force as other commitments called for the more powerful ships. From May 1942, it was also used in the Invasion Of Madagascar , an operation aimed at thwarting any attempt by Japan to use bases on the Vichy French controlled territory. INDIAN OCEAN STRIKE During late 1944 , as more British Aircraft Carrier s came into the area, a series of strikes were flown against oil targets in Sumatra to prepare British carriers for the upcoming operations in the Pacific . The USS ''Saratoga'' was lent for the first attack by the United States . The oil installations were heavily damaged by the attacks, aggravating the Japanese fuel shortages due to the American Blockade . The final attack was flown as the carriers were heading for Sydney, Australia , to become the British Pacific Fleet. After the departure of the main battle forces, the Indian Ocean was left with Escort Carriers and older Battleship s as the mainstay of its naval forces. Nevertheless, during those months, important operations were launched in the Recapture Of Burma , including landings on Ramree Island and Akyab and near Rangoon . SEE ALSO Details of Far East Fleet Composition in the 1960s |
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