Chronological service history, documenting Allied attacks against Tirpitz, from early 1941-44.

The following articles are a tribute to and a remembrance, of all persons who did not survive during an operation against Tirpitz, and persons aboard Germany's largest battleship that perished from 1941-1944.

Early 1941, thru August, 1944

• January 1941,Tirpitz was first bombed by the Royal Air Force (Wellingtons & Whitleys)
  

• "Lonely Queen of the North", Tirpitz specifications
  

• March 5-9,1942 Tirpitz participates in Operation "Sportpalast", in her first combat action against allied convoys.

July 2, 1942, Tirpitz takes part in Operation "Rösselsprung".

• September 6, 1943 Tirpitz participates in "Operation Sizilien", the bombardment of the island of Spitsbergen.

• The Royal Navy attacks the Battleship with miniature submarines (British X-Craft).
  

• British inventor, Barnes Wallis devises the 12,000 lb "Tallboy" bomb.

September thru October, 1944.

• September, 617 & 9 Squadron RAF Lancasters attack via Russia.
  

• Further attempts to sink the Tirpitz, October 1944.
  

• Adding fuel capacity and removing excess weight in the Lancasters.
  

• October 29, 617 Squadron Pilot, Bill Carey's Lancaster, "Easy Elsie"
  crash-lands in Northern Sweden.

Final attack on the Tirpitz, November 1944.

• The Naked Battleship.
  

• A new complication develops for Air vice Marshall, Cochrane.
  

• Final mission to sink the Tirpitz, 30 Lancasters of 9 and 617 Squadrons, RAF
  from an airfield at Lossiemouth, Scotland.
  

• November 12, 1944: Nearing the target, Tromso Fiord, Norway.
  

• Tirpitz lay clear to the bomb sights__From 14,000 feet the aircrews saw her tremble.
  

Attacking the Tirpitz

..As witnessed by Flight Lieutenant Bruce Buckham, film unit attached to 463 Sq Waddington and the final attack on Tirpitz as described by John Troegers of the German Navy, serving as a signaller.
Excerpt,
"Having spoken with Bruce Buckam and basically re-visited that time, I have found that these two men eventually got to meet each other. Many experiences, stories, and views were exchanged and a friendship developed that has been longstanding".
Editor, Peter Johnson

--Aviation Art--