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) hit the Tirpitz, which suffered a violent internal explosion. The battles...
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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) hit the Tirpitz, which suffered a violent internal explosion. The battleship capsized and remained bottom upwards (one source says the Tirpitz sank). 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. The final sinking of the battleship Tirpitz is attributable to 617 Squadron and the bomb dropped by the Commanding Officer, Group Captain Tait. On 12 November 2009 the attack was re-enacted in a competition between No. 9 and 617 Squadrons at Wainfleet Air Weapons Range, again 617...
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