No. 455 Squadron Beaufighters attacking shipping off Norway, 1944

Part of an anti-shipping strike wing of Coastal Command, No. 455 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, became highly skilled in this role in sweeps along the French, Belgium and Dutch coasts. In October 1944 it was assigned full-time to strikes against shipping in Norwegian waters. At the stage the Germans were transferring troops and equipment form the occupied countries to help counter the grave situations which had developed elsewhere in Europe. The objective of the anti-shipping squadrons in the region was to halt such traffic. In the Norwegian fiords flying was particularly hazardous. Ships were able to anchor almost at the foot of towering cliffs and attack was possible from one direction only, enabling concentration of gun-fire upon the attackers. In the open sea several Beaufighter aircraft could divide the attention of shipboune gunners, and attack ships with rocket and cannon simultaneously. The painting shows No. 455 Squadron operating in such a situation, North Sea.