12th. November, 1944. Lancasters
of 617 Squadron RAF over Norway on their approach to Tromsø
fjord, and their final attack on the battleship Tirpitz. Twenty
nine Lancasters of 617 and 9 Squadron had made a wide detour
to approach the Tirpitz from inland, in order to avoid early
detection by radar. Armed with 12,000 pound ‘Tallboy’
bombs, the Lancasters had been fitted with up-graded Merlin engines,
and their mid upper gun turrets had been removed, along with
some armour, in order to allow them to carry this weapon at the
required range. Both squadrons had participated in two previous
attacks during the preceding months.
On the first occasion a smokescreen around Tirpitz prevented
accurate bombing, and low cloud foiled the second raid.
This time there were no defending fighters, and no smokescreen
as the Lancasters passed over the last mountain and the Tirpitz
came into view. The ship was hit by at least two Tallboys, possibly
three, enough to put an end to the ‘Tirpitz Menace’.
Signed by four 617 Squadron aircrew who participated in attacks
on Tirpitz.
C.B.R. Fish - T. Iveson - B. Knights - E.A. Wass. |