SINKING THE TIRPITZ
(Signatures)	Artist : Nicolas Trudgian and Group Captain James Tait , who led the Tirpitz raid, Squadron Leader Tony Iveson, one of 617 Squadron's most' prominent pilots, and Leutnant Zur See Willi Volsing, a gunnery officer on the Tirpitz.
(Dimensions)	28" x 19" approx  Unframed Print
Price	£175.00

Description

Throughout four long years of war Allied air and naval forces endeavoured to sink the German battleship Tirpitz. The mighty warship was a constant threat to Allied shipping, even while lying at anchor in her lair among the fjords of Norway. Her very presence demanded constant attention and hampered all naval decision making till she was sunk at the end of 1944. Without so much as weighing anchor, Tirpitz could disrupt the north Atlantic convoys by tying up urgently needed escort vessels in readiness in case she made a run for the open sea. Churchill was exasperated and called upon RAF Bomber Command to make a decisive bid to finish her off once and for all. On November 12, 1944 Lancaster's of Numbers 9 and 617 Squadrons set forth towards the Norwegian fjord of Tromso where Tirpitz lay at anchor surrounded by a web of protective submarine nets. Armed with the 12,000 lb "Tallboy" bomb devised by Barnes Wallis, the Lancaster crews arrived in clear skies overhead the fjord to see the great battleship sharply contrasted against the still deep waters some 10,000ft below. As flak from the ship's heavy armament burst all around them, one by one the 31 Lancaster's rolled in for the attack. In a matter of three minutes the devastating aerial bombardment was completed, and eleven minutes later, her port side ripped open, the Tirpitz capsized and sank. The Coup de Grace was complete. Nicolas Trudgian's fine recreation of One of the most famous and successful air attacks of WWII provides collectors with a valuable print authenticated by the signatures of Group Captain James Tait, who led the Tirpitz raid, Squadron Leader Tony Iveson, one of 617 Squadron's most' prominent pilots, and Leutnant Zur See Willi Volsing, a gunnery officer on the Tirpitz...priced @ £175.00...To complement the purchase of your fine art print, we are now able to offer a professional Picture Framing service. For further details please contact us by phone or email.