Operation Tungsten RNFAA attack on the Tirptiz 1944

[dinomartino1]

"Operation Tungsten was a Second World War Royal Navy air raid that targeted the German battleship Tirpitz. The operation sought to damage or destroy Tirpitz at her base in Kaafjord in the far north of Norway before she could become fully operational again following a period of repairs.

The British decision to strike Kaafjord was motivated by fears that the battleship, upon re-entering service, would attack strategically important convoys carrying supplies to the Soviet Union. After four months of training and preparations, the British Home Fleet sailed on 30 March 1944 and aircraft launched from five aircraft carriers struck Kaafjord on 3 April. Fifteen bombs hit the battleship.

The most important discrepancy between the plans for the operation and its execution was that many pilots dropped their bombs below the specified minimum altitude of 3,000 feet (910 m) in an attempt to improve their chances of hitting Tirpitz. The shorter than optimum flight times may have meant that some of the bombs which struck the battleship lacked the necessary velocity to penetrate her deck armour.

While two bombs that exploded in the water near Tirpitz opened holes in her hull and caused flooding, none of the 15 bombs that struck the battleship penetrated her main deck armour belt. As a result, her guns, magazines, and machinery did not suffer serious damage. Most of the damage to the battleship was inflicted on her superstructure and between her armoured decks. The starboard aircraft catapult and crane were destroyed, as were both Tirpitz's Arado floatplanes. The number two starboard 150-millimetre gun turret was knocked out, and the number three port 150 mm turret incurred significant damage. The officers' mess and several galleys were wrecked, and the ship was filled with smoke. Tirpitz's funnel was also struck by bomb fragments that badly damaged all of the boiler intakes. While the starboard turbine was knocked out by shock damage and two of the boilers were disabled after being contaminated by salt water used for firefighting, the battleship was still capable of steaming within Kaafjord. Tirpitz's crew suffered heavy casualties in the attack. Overall, 122 sailors died and 316 were wounded; these casualties represented 15 percent of the battleship's crew. Many of the casualties were anti-aircraft gunners who were killed or wounded by machine-gun fire from the British fighters.

The Kriegsmarine decided to repair the battleship, and works were completed by mid-July. The British conducted further carrier raids against Tirpitz between April and August 1944 in the hope of prolonging the period she was out of service, but none was successful. Tirpitz was eventually disabled and then sunk by RAF heavy bombers in late 1944"

HMS Furious, landing party rushing to clear a Fairey Barracuda from the deck as it lands on after the attack.

A Fairey Barracuda passing over the aircraft carrier FURIOUS on returning from the attack.

Dawn, and the first fighter of the bombers' covering force takes off from the EMPEROR.

HMS Emperor, HMS Ships SEARCHER, FURIOUS, PURSUER and JAMAICA, which took part in the operation.

HMS Emperor. Crossing the Arctic Circle snow squalls were frequently encountered, making flying hazardous.

HMS Emperor, Cdr Orr, RNVR, DSC and bar, (left) who has 12 enemy aircraft to his credit and six probables, going over the attack with other pilots.

HMS Emperor, first man back from the attack makes a perfect landing.

The force of HM Ships off the Norwegian Coast just before the attack began. Left to right: a destroyer, FURIOUS, VICTORIOUS, ANSON, BELFAST and another destroyer.

HMS Furious. The first Fairey Barracuda taking off in the dawnlight. (4:25 am)

 

[dinomartino1]

HMS Emperor. The first strike are off and headed toward the Norwegian coast and the TIRPITZ.

Fleet Air Arm personnel fusing bombs for Fairey Barracudas on the flight deck of HMS VICTORIOUS, before Operation 'Tungsten', the attack on the German battleship TIRPITZ in Alten Fjord, Norway, April 1944

First strike Barracudas silhouetted against the snow above the smoking TIRPITZ.

Second bombers over the almost smoke hidden TIRPITZ. When our last planes left she was in flames amidships.

HMS Victorious
Group of Fairey Barracuda air crews who took part in the attack, in front of one of their Barracudas. Fifth from left back row is Lieut Cdr V Rance, RN, leader of one of the Fairey Barracuda squadrons.

 

[dinomartino1]

HMS FURIOUS which took part in the Fleet Air Arm attack on SMS TIRPITZ in Alten Fjord, Norway. Here Bob Cotcher, of Chelsea, chalks his message on a 1600 pound bomb just before the attack.

Four men who were decorated after their attack on the TIRPITZ took part in the attack. Left to right: Lieut Cdr V Rance, RN, of Littlehampton, who was awarded the DSO; Lieut Cdr D Brooks, RNVR, of Bickley, won bar to the DSC; Lieut P A M Hudson, RN, of Hurworth, near Darlington, who was awarded the DSC; and Lieut Cdr D W Phillips, RN, of Bridgend, who won the DSC

Some of HM Ships of the British Home Fleet, HMS FURIOUS (nearest), HMS SEARCHER, HMS PURSUER, and HMS JAMAICA, which took part in the attack on the TIRPITZ on 3 April 1944 in Alten Fjord which left her blazing. Grumman Hellcats of HMS EMPEROR can be seen on deck in the foreground.

Commander S T C Harrison of the ship's air staff briefing Fleet Air Arm crews in their flying gear on board HMS FURIOUS with the aid of a relief map of the target area before the attack on the German Battleship TIRPITZ in Alten Fjord, Norway.

Fairey Barracudas landing on HMS FORMIDABLE after attacking the TIRPITZ and other enemy ships off Norway. Men can be seen looking down on the flight deck in the foreground.

 

[dinomartino1]

I will post these in vintage jackets as well due to the USN jackets.

Grumman Hellcat pilots of the escort carrier HMS EMPEROR studying a model of the German battleship TIRPITZ and its hide-out in Alten Fjord on the flight deck just before the attack, which left the TIRPITZ blazing, began. Two of their aircraft can be seen in the distance.

Lieut Oakes, RN, of Bury St Edmunds, in the cockpit of his plane just before setting out on the attack.

Five New Zealanders who took part in the attack. Left to right: Sub Lieutenants, Scanes, of Christchurch; Cranwell, of Auckland; McLennan, of Thames; Jellie, of Auckland; and Lieut Hill (bats) of Wellington.

Captain T J N Hilkin, RN, discussing the result of the operation with Hellcat pilots.