Sinking of Tirpitz

12 November 1944, Håkøya, off Tromsø, Norway

British victory; Tirpitz capsized

At Tromsø Tirpitz was just within reach of Lancasters flying from Scotland, stripped of armour and with extra fuel tanks. A first attack, Operation Obviate on 29 October, was spoiled by cloud. On the clear morning of 12 November 1944 thirty-two Lancasters of 9 and 617 Squadrons, led by Wing Commander James Tait, came in at about 14,000 feet. The fighters at nearby Bardufoss never arrived, and the smoke screen was not yet in place. Two Tallboys hit and another burst close alongside; a magazine blew up, and within minutes Tirpitz rolled over and lay upside down in the shallow water. About 950 of her crew were killed. Some were cut out through her bottom over the following days. No British aircraft was lost.