How you can use this image
This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).
Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.
The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.
Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.
Notes
Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.
Following the damage caused by British midget submarines in September 1943, the Admiralty decided that further attacks should be made on the German battleship 'Tirpitz', to ensure that it could not threaten the northern convoys of the Allied forces. Under the code name 'Tungsten', 21 Barracuda bombers, part of the Fleet Air Arm, and 40 fighter planes were launched to attack the 'Tirpitz' which was stationed in Altenfjord, Norway. The attack on the 'Tirpitz' was to be made in two strikes and the first arrived over the target at 5:29am on 3 April. Complete surprise was achieved, and the Barracudas scored 12 direct hits and one near miss. Although the 'Tirpitz's' upperworks were badly damaged, her vitals remained intact. She also suffered 438 casualties, of which 122 were fatal.
This shows the enclosed space of the fjord, based on a photograph of the 'Tirpitz'. It shows the top of the snow-clad mountains on the south side of Altenfjord looking down on the ship. She is on the right side of the picture with bombs falling on and around her and a great column of black and white smoke rising above her. Two tenders are steaming away from the ship and on the right a small warship is at anchor, in starboard-broadside view. Seen against the white mountains on the far side of the fjord are the attacking Barracudas. The artist has used patterns, shapes and colour in an attempt to recreate the scene. The configuration of the mountains indicates the enclosed nature of the fjord, and thus the vulnerability of the ship to an airborne attack.
Title
The 'Tirpitz' Attacked by Barracudas, 3 April 1944
Date
1944–1945
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 101.6 x W 127 cm
Accession number
BHC0687
Work type
Painting
National Maritime Museum
Romney Road, Greenwich, London, Greater London SE10 9NF England
-
German Star Shells: Men at the Guns off the German Coast, 11 August 1918 IWM (Imperial War Museums) -
A Thunderstorm, Harwich: Submarines Leaving Port IWM (Imperial War Museums) -
The Action of 11 August 1918, Island of Borkum: Zeppelin Falling; the Flagship is Flying the Signal IWM (Imperial War Museums) -
A Hospital Ship at Night IWM (Imperial War Museums) -
HMS 'Dunraven VC' in Action against the Submarine That Sank Her, 8 August 1917 IWM (Imperial War Museums) -
North Queensferry Signal Station, Winter: The First Battle Cruiser Squadron Seen from the Forth Bridge IWM (Imperial War Museums) -
Steam Pinnaces at Hawkes Pier IWM (Imperial War Museums) - 85 more