Removing the threat of the "Tirpitz"
In the Spring of 1914, the British, warned by Ultra that "Tirpitz" would be ready to go to sea on the 1st of April, mounted a Carrier borne Aircraft attack against her. 42 Bombers escorted by 80 Fighters took off from "Victorious" and "Furious", supported by 4 Escort Carriers. This raid on "Tirpitz", carried out in two waves, killed 122 Germans, wounded 216, and put her out of action for 3 months. In May two further raids planned by the Fleet Air Arm had to be aborted through bad weather.

On the 15th. of September, 1944, Bomber Command attacked "Tirpitz ripping a 30 by 50 feet hole in her close to the bow. She was sailed to Tromso, 200 miles to the South of Altenjord. Thus the mighty "Tirpitz" was reduced to function as a floating Coastal Defence and AA. battery.

A final Coastal Command raid on the night of 11/12 of November, administered the coup de grace, and "Tirpitz" rolled to Port and turned over, 900 crew died and 600 were rescued. This ship had been a potential threat to the British Convoy system for a number of years, and was the basic reason for the fiasco and death of P.Q. 17.

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