Attack on Tirpitz (Ops 228)

Lancaster Squadrons Nos 9 RAF and 617 RAF of No. 5 Group Bomber Command attacked the German battleship Tirpitz in Kaa Fiord Norway from the Russian base Yagonik near Archangel. Accompanying the bombers was a Lancaster from 463 Sqn RAAF piloted by Flight Lieutenant Buckham which carried a film unit to record the attack. The operation was launched from Russia because the Germans had a very effective smoke screen apparatus to shroud the Tirpitz. It was hoped to suprise them by flying from Russia, but as can be seen in the film the smoke screen effectively covers the whole target area. The 27 Lancasters dropped 90 tons of bombs including 15 12,000-lb bombs and scored one hit. The Tirpitz subsequently moved to Tromso Fiord where she was finally sunk by No. 5 Group on 12 November 1944. [Transcription of the film dope sheet] See also Sound Recording S00195 'Photographing the Tirpitz by Flt/Sgt B Buckham & Flt/Sgt E Giersch'. See also Photograph SUK14781 for a group photo of the photographers and crew of the RAF Film Unit Lancaster.