The sinking of the Tirpitz

Posted in Anniversary, Famous battles, World War 2 on Monday, 1 November 2010

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The sinking of the Tirpitz

12 November marks the anniversary of the sinking of the Tirpitz in 1944. The German battleship, sister ship to the Bismarck, was the largest battleship ever built in Europe. Launched in 1939, she was intended for use in the North Atlantic, attacking Allied merchant shipping, but the destruction of the Bismarck persuaded the Germans otherwise and Tirpitz was sent to Norway to disrupt Arctic convoys.

Although used little operationally, her very presence used up Allied resources and the decision was made to sink the ship. A number of unsuccessful attempts were made, including one in 1943 using midget submarines to attach explosive charges to her hull which caused severe damage but did not sink her. That goal was finally achieved during an attack from British Lancaster bombers a year later which caused the ship to capsize and sink.

Many more pictures relating to World War II can be found at the Look and Learn picture library.

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