In September and October 1943, the German battleship Tirpitz was photographed by three members of ...

Place Europe: Norway
Accession Number P02511.002
Collection type Photograph
Object type Black & white - Print silver gelatin
Maker Dixon, John Hugh
Place made Norway
Date made 28 September 1943
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

In September and October 1943, the German battleship Tirpitz was photographed by three members of 543 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU), RAF, while lying in Alten Fiord, prior and subsequent to its attack by midget submarines of the Royal Navy on 22 September 1943. Included among the ships faintly visible in this image are Tirpitz, four destroyers, Altmark, Neumark, a small vessel, Harald Harfagre and C A Larsen. The latter two were requistioned Norwegian warships which were added to the German war effort. The photographer, 405595 Flying Officer (FO) John H Dixon, a member of the RAAF, flew with this unit based in northern Russia monitoring the movements of these and other ships which formed a larger enemy battle group posing a major threat to allied convoys. For his wartime service, FO Dixon later received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

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