On this day 25 July 1944

Operation CRIMSON, Task Force 62, on 25 July 1944 were air strikes and bombardment of harbour and oil installations in northern Sumatra, on the island of Sabang. It was a follow up to the allied Operation Cockpit on 19 July, but this time concentrating on Sabang.

Victorious took part in a sequence of air attacks against Japanese installations. The first was Operation Crimson, ordered by Admiral Somerville, on 25 July, a joint attack with HMS Illustrious on airfields and installations on Sabang, Sumatra. 34 Chance-Vought Corsair fighters from HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and HMS VICTORIOUS escorted by cruiser HMS PHOEBE and destroyers HMS RAIDER and HMS ROEBUCK attacked the airfields near Sabang. At the same time, the destroyers and cruisers bombarded Sabang.

Battle Honour for FAA Squadrons:
(HMS Illustrious) 1830, 1833, 1836, (HMS Victorious) 831(Barracuda), 1834, 1837, 1838