Tirpitz 16 SOE Operation Catechism

Beskrivelse

Raportene kommer fra det flymannskapene rapporterte etter angrepet på TIRPITZ. Numrene henviser til Fly nr, som henger sammen med rekkefølgen av fly, rekkefølgen av piloter, og numrene på mannskapene i hver skvadron under Personell.
Rapport nr 5 =F/L B.J.DOBSON = 617 Sqdn Crew nr 5 utført av="Lancaster I. PD371 KC-S".

Under står henvisningene til hvilke ORB det enkelte crew finnes på.

"Et av andre verdenskrigs store dramaer ble utspilt i Nord-Norge; det gigantiske tyske slagskipet Tirpitz holdt enorme allierte styrker bundet i tre år, før det ble senket i november 1944. Her kan du finne ut hva som skjedde.

Tirpitz var et enormt slagskip på alle måter. Med en lengde på 251 meter (823 fot) veide Tirpitz over 50 000 tonn når den var fullastet. Stålet i skroget var 30 cm (12”) tykt. Tirpitz hadde åtte 38 cm (15”) kanoner, noen av de største marinekanonene som noen gang er bygget. Fartøyet hadde et mannskap på mer enn 2600, inkludert 100 offiserer. Med en fart på 30 knop var Tirpitz dobbelt så rask som Hurtigrutens kystekspressskip, som var raskere enn noen av de allierte krigsskipene. Alt i alt var Tirpitz et formidabelt våpen."

ORB's in this operation:
617: AIR-27-2128-32 p1-3
9: AIR-27-128-22 p1-3
463: AiR-27-1922-6 p 15
540: AIR-27-2007-52 p2

Første bølge med Lancaster bombefly gikk til angrep 12/11-1944 kl 08:40 -45. Z tid. 18 fly fra 617 Sqdn angrep med Tallboy. Flg ble sett fra flyene: ( i rekkefølge 1-33)

1. Bombing TIRPITZ I x Tallboy. 0841 hrs. 13,000ft. We did not see our bomb burst, but the initial bombing was concentrated on the vessel. When we arrived there was steam coming from the funnel
2. Bombing TIRPITZ. I x Tallboy. 0842 hrs. 13,000ft. Our bomb fell in the centre of the smoke pall which covered the ship when we attacked.
3. Bombing TIRPITZ. I x Tallboy. 0845 hrs. 14,200ft. We followed our bomb nearly down to the ship when it was lostin the smoke. It was either a hit on the bows or a very near miss.
4. Bombing TIRPITZ 1 x Tallboy. 0843 hrs. 14,800ft. Our bomb fell in the main concentration which appeared to be on or around the Tirpitz. The ship was covered in smoke and a fire was seen on board.
5. Bombing TIRPITZ. I x Tallboy. 0843 hrs. 15,600ft. Our bomb fell into smoke concentration over Target. Bombing appeared very accurate.
6. Bombing TIRPITZ. I x Tallboy. 0844 hrs. 16,000ft. Ship was covered by smoke and our bomb fell in the centre of the smoke concentration. There was a big explosion on the ship at 0851 hrs
7. Bombing TIRPITZ.1 x Tallboy. 0842 hrs. 13,400ft. Our bomb fell about ten yards off port quarter. We saw the first four bombs go down as follows: On or near starboard quarter; starboard bow; port bow and near funnel. We remained near target area until end of attack and saw large explosion at 0851 hrs. and a smaller one at 0853 hrs. Before we left we saw the Tirpitz listing heavily to port. Bombing by 617 was concentrated and accurate. Four of 9 Squadron's bombs (using Mk. 14 Bombsight) fell approx. 200 yards, 500 yards, 3/4 mile, 1 mile.
8. Bombing TIRPITZ. 1 x Tallboy. 0843 hrs. 15,400ft. One seen to enter the water about twenty yards off the Tirpitz. A dull red glow was observed well forw ard of the port bow .
9. Bombing TIRPITZ. L x Tallboy. 0843 hrs. 12,850ft. We bombed along the length of the ship turning to starboard and running in on the bows. Our bomb which registered a hit or a very near miss fell in the centre of the smoke coming up from just in front of the superstructure. We saw at least one direct hit which was followed by a big column of reddish brown smoke. (Kell’s bomb aimer fell downstairs and fractured his skull. He was told that unless he could find an SAB qualified replacement he could not fly. He managed to track down Astbury who was tour expired and about to join ship for a return to Australia. Astbury went A WL and flew the raid.)
10. Bombing TIRPITZ. I x Tallboy. 0842 hrs. 13,200ft. Centre of ship. We think we obtained a direct hit. We did not see further results as we were hit by flak and had to turn away.
11. Bombing TIRPITZ. 1 x Tallboy. 0843 hrs. 13,600ft. Our bomb is estimated to have fallen 25 yards aft of the funnel. We also saw a very near miss near the port quarter of the ship. Immediately after the first bombs fell a red glow appeared followed by a big column of black smoke.
12. Bombing TIRPITZ. I x Tallboy. 0843 hrs. 14,600ft. The after part of ship was obscured by smoke when we bombed. Our bomb hit on or very close to the bows.
13. Bombing TIRPITZ. L x Tallboy. 0842 hrs. 15,200ft. Our bomb fell in the smoke which covered the ship. One direct hit and two near misses were seen.
14. Bombing TIRPITZ I x Tallboy. 0842 hrs. 12,650ft. Our bomb fell on the centre of the superstructure. There was a direct hit at the same time a cloud of smoke followed and the ship became completely obscured by it.
15. Bombing TIRPITZ. I x Tallboy. 0842 hrs. 13 800ft. We did not see our own bomb burst but saw one possible direct hit, one overshoot, one undershoot and two wide.
16. Bombing TIRPITZ. I x Tallboy. 0842 hrs. 14,000ft. Two bombs, one of which was ours, went down together and both appeared to hit the edge of the ship near its centre. Bombing appeared generally concentrated. Only one wide bomb.
17. Bombing TIRPITZ. I x Tallboy. 0843 hrs. 15,600ft. Our bomb went down into centre of smoke over Tirpitz. Bombing very well concentrated on and round vessel. Heavy explosion seen.
18. Bombing TIRPITZ. I x Tallboy. 0842 hrs. 14,400ft. The ship was obscured by smoke just after we bombed. Our bomb went straight down into the centre of the smoke. All bombing we saw appeared very well concentrated and firing from the ship ceased after the first bombs went down.
    

Andre bølge med angrep kom en time senere, 09:47 Z. Da kom 12 Lancastere fra 9 Sqdn .

1. Primary attaced 0947 hours. 16000 ft. Five bombs seen to fall. No 1- 50 yards off bow of ship. No 2 slightly undershot centre od ship. No 3 about 30 yards from stern. No 4 Obershot centre of ship by 150 yards. No 5 Overshot by the right by about 150 yards. In addition Rear gunner daw own bomb which he considers hit the ship as a big explosion and fire followed immideltately.
2. Primary attaced 0945 hours. 16000 ft. Very near miss on starboard side aft seen just before bombing and about 3 other bombs seen to burst close to ship. One hit believed as a column of smoke enveloped the ship and its gund stopped firing.
3. Primary attaced 09:45 1/2 hours. 14600 ft. On run up one bomb seen hit fjord side of ship and only one gun on fjord side continuing firing afterwards. After leaving the target, a large explosion waas seen at 09:47 hours.
4. Primary attaced 0947 hours. 14000 ft. Ship seen on run-up, but just before release of bomb smoke obscured target. Bomb was aimed at centre of smoke. No hit seen, but bombs seen bursting all around ship
5. Primary attaced 0948 hours. 14500 ft. Many near misses seen and one hit believed just forward centr eof ship. Two explosions occurered after bombing followed by plume of white white smoke which covered the ship.
   Bomb sight was u/s on first run. Emergency conputer used for second run
6. Primary attaced 0948 hours. 16500 ft. Crew stated bombing was very well concentrated around the ship and a large fire was seen burning amidships after leaving the target area from some distance away. A great deal of smoke was also seen.
7. Primary NOT attaced . Aircraft was 17 minutes to late at rendevouz point. Only one other aircraft identified as Lancaster seen in distance. Tallboy brought back to base.
8. Primary NOT attaced . Aircraft was 17 minutes to late at rendevouz point. Only one other aircraft identified as Lancaster seen in distance. Tallboy brought back to base.
9. Primary attaced 0946 1/2 hours. 15000 ft. A near miss seen on starboard side of ship. Bombing concentrated but difficult to assess owing to smoke. Rear gunner saw large fire amidships.
10. Primary attaced 0949 hours. 16000 ft.Glow seen amidships and a pillar of smoke booth from bows and stern. Two near misses seen but difficult to assess owing to distance from target. Own bomb fall in smoke at stern.
11. Primary attaced 0945 hours. 16000 ft.Centre of smoke covering shhip which was seen on run-up. One large explosion seen midships and two-three close near misses. Two «E» boats at 69.30N-17.20E at 09:56 hours,
    7000 ft approx. Fired at aircraft. Rear gunner returned fire damaging one «E» boat.
12. Primary attaced 0947 hours. 14000 ft.Own bomb seen to fall approx. Centre of port side. Explosion followed by reddish smoke seen through smoke and another amidships by rear gunner when leaving target area.
    This was followed by large fire. Rudder control port tail plane damaged by heavy flak over target immidelately after bombing
13. Aircraft reported missing, but later information stated that all the crew had made safe landing in Sweden, (Vandnäsberget, near Kalix, N Sweden. Crew later returned UK File P/425434/44)
14. Lancaster PD329 Hydrographic reconnaissanse Unit: Sortie completed. HYDROGRAPHIC RECONNAISANCE UNIT Aircraft only, NO BOMB LOAD CARRYING.
    Visibility fair – 1/10 Stratus cumulus about 2000 feet. Identified target visually. 09:37-09:57 hrs BST. 13000 to 5000 feet. APL U/U
    "Take-off was a little delayed owing to heavy frosting of aircraft. The weather was as briefed, and aircraft come together fairly well, running up to rendesvouz point in the early light oh the morning. Bombing positions were manned and the force run up too the Fjord, where the target was clearly discredible in the previous position. The leader led the Force of any excellent bombing runs, were obtained, coming in from stern and bow. Early bombs slightly overshoot, but approx the fourth bomb made a direct hit amidships. As the attack developed more hits were obtained on the stern, amidships, and finally on the bow, until the target apperently could not longer fire any of her guns. There were also several near misses. Quite suddenly, after the attack ended, the target was seen in heel over towards the island, and became about half—submerged. The return journey was effected without event. Navigatinal side were NIL until GEE «come up» North of the Shetlands. DR and drifting beeing our ony help, VHF in target area was ecxcellent agenda on Aud A and B."
    Aslo watch Movie from PD329: Destruction Tirpitz.
15. Target. Briefed for Job 17, Photos of Job 17 (D/A BS Tirpitz) Job 837. ELVANS A/F Narvik, Bogen, Ramsund, Fjord. Job 832, Parts 1,2,3.
    On Runs over Tirpitz at 17000 ft approx 20 bursts of flak at firsst wall below but becoming accurate for heigh and the direction. Approx 25 bursts from vinvinity of KORSNES 68.15N-50-17E accurate for heigh and direction. No further incidents.
    The Mosquito have two operations in area ..
    Before bombing 12.11.1944 06:51 - 07:41 Z
    While bombing 12.11.1944 08:35Z - 10:25 Z
    
    

12. november 1944 Håkøybotn Tromsø Norge
Operasjon «Katekismus»: 12. november 21 Lancastere fra RAF Squadrons 9 og 617 fra Lossiemouth (Skottland) angriper det tyske slagskipet Tirpitz (Kpt.z.S. Weber †) som ligger utenfor Tromsö med 5,4 t «Tallboy»-bomber og får det til å kantre med flere treff.

På Tirpitz døde 28 offiserer og 874 besetningsmedlemmer
880 ble reddet.

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