Operation Catechism

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This article is about the RAF Bomber Command operation. For a description of the target, see German battleship Tirpitz.


Operation Catechism
Part of World War II
Tirpitz
Capsized German battleship Tirpitz after Operation Catechism
Date November 12, 1944
Location Norway
Result target sunk
Belligerents
RAF Bomber Command Kriegsmarine Jack Kriegsmarine
Luftwaffe
Commanders
Group Captain James Brian Tait KzS Robert Weber (KIA)
Major Heinrich Ehrler
Strength
31 Avro Lancasters German battleship Tirpitz (Bismarck class battleship)
Casualties and losses
1000 KIA/MIA

Operation Catechism was the November 12, 1944, RAF Bomber Command attack on the World War II German battleship Tirpitz. 30 Avro Lancasters from No. 9 Squadron RAF and No. 617 Squadron RAF and a film unit aircraft from No. 463 Squadron RAF flew from RAF Lossiemouth to attack the Tirpitz, which was moored near Tromsø, Norway. At least two Tallboy bombs (one source says three)[1] hit the Tirpitz, which suffered a violent internal explosion. The battleship capsized and remained bottom upwards (one source says the Tirpitz sank).[1] Approximately 1,000 of the 1,900 men on board were killed or injured and one No. 9 Squadron RAF Lancaster was severely damaged by flak; it landed safely in Sweden with its crew unhurt.[2]

[edit] References & Notes

  1. ^ a b Tirpitz, November 12 1944. Royal Air Force Bomber Command 60th Anniversary. UK Crown. Retrieved on 2007-05-24.
  2. ^ Campaign Diary. Royal Air Force Bomber Command 60th Anniversary. UK Crown. Retrieved on 2008-02-20.
Main article: German battleship Tirpitz