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Following the fall of Singapore and the collapse of the Netherlands East Indies outposts, the RAN found its operations pushed back into the Pacific area. However, opportunity for operations in the Indian Ocean continued. In September 1942 RAN N-Class destroyers, Napier, Nizam, Nepal and Norman were part of a British force that was operating against the Vichy French at Madagascar. With the turning of the tide against the Japanese, offensive operations soon saw the Indian Ocean again as a theatre of activity. On 22 April 1944, RAN destroyers Napier, Nepal, Nizam and Quiberon were all part of a British naval force which was called upon to make a diversionary attack against Sumatra in support of the US Pacific Fleet's operations against Hollandia. In January 1945 the Napier, Nepal and Nizam as part of the 7th Destroyer Flotilla assisted with the transportation of British troops to Akyab in Burma. They were to have participated in a pre-invasion bombardment but it was found that the Japanese had vacated the area. The fleet undertook some supporting bombardment during operations against Ramree Island and thereafter left the Burma theatre to join the British Pacific Fleet. |
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