Apple Lightning to USB 3 Adapter will send power to iPad but won't power tiny USB thumb drive

Hi all

I know this issue has gone round and round and I've seen the usb-c workaround and the fact that a later iOS update apparently sorted the issue out,

But

I'm using an iPad Air 2 running iPados 15.8.3 and while I can get power to the iPad through my Apple Lightning to USB 3 Adapter (using an apple 20W usb-c charger), I simply cannot get enough power through the adapters USB socket to power even a tiny usb thumb drive.

It gives the error message that the attached usb device requires too much power. Evidently the adapter simply won't pass enough power from the attached 20w usb-c to lightning connection thru to the usb section of the adapter.

The same setup plugged into my iPhone 11 Pro Max works perfectly, but with the iPad its a non starter.

Does anyone know whether this ever was sorted out by Apple for people still using iPadOS 15?

I know I can add a mains powered usb hub into the mix and it all works fine then, but it's a lot of additional cables and paraphernalia just to get a tiny thumb drive to read.

If I can get it to work just with the Lightning to USB 3 Adapter and 20W power adapter that would be preferable.

Many thanks