大象传媒

I was Senior Telegraphist Air Gunner (TAG) flying with the C/O of 831 Barracuda Squadron. Our squadron was normally embarked on HMS Victorious but was transferred to HMS Furious for the purposes of take-off for the Tungsten attack. There were 5 carriers involved in the operation.

We approached the target in the early morning at 12,000 feet and slowly descended to 10,000 feet to start our dive. We followed 829 Squadron, our Wing partner unit. 831 and 829 comprised the second Wing in the attack with the first Wing having already completed its attack shortly before us.

At 10,000 feet the last aircraft of 829 was slightly ahead of us and close on our port side, when it was hit by a heavy Ack Ack (AA - Anti-Aircraft) shell. The debris that flowed back from the stricken aircraft was spectacular. The TAG was the only one that got out. The aircraft crashed into the mountain north of Kaa Fjord.

We dropped our bombs (4 x anti-personnel) at 1,500 feet. The bombs hit the target. Tirpitz was on fire and all AA fire from the ship had ceased by the end of the attack. We escaped down Alten Fjord to return to the carrier.

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