Preparing the British Pacific Fleet's Sakishima strikes

The force leaving Leyte had changed composition, with Formidable replacing Illustrious and Uganda reinforcing the cruisers while damaged or worn ships moved through repair and refit. Cruisers and destroyers refuelled from the logistics support group on 3 May before proceeding to the operating area. The attack plan combined runway bombing, attacks on anti-aircraft positions, naval bombardment and an offensive combat air patrol over the islands. The carriers were to remain roughly 30 miles south of the bombardment area so land would not interfere with their radar. Japanese night repair work had restored some airfield capacity despite daytime strikes. Rescue aircraft supplied by the joint expeditionary force operated between the targets and carriers.