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Target Tirpitz: X-Craft, Agents and Dambusters: The Epic Quest to Destroy Hitler's Mightiest Warship
A gripping account of the epic hunt for Hitler’s most terrifying battleship – the legendary Tirpitz – and the brave men who risked their lives to attack and destroy this most potent symbol of the Nazi’s fearsome war machine.
Tirpitz was the pride of Hitler’s navy. To Churchill, she was ‘the Beast’, a menace to Britain’s supply lines and a threat to the convoys sustaining Stalin’s armies. Tirpitz was said to be unsinkable, impregnable –no other target attracted so much attention.
In total 36 major Allied operations were launched against her, including desperately risky missions by human torpedoes and midget submarines and near-suicidal bombing raids. Yet Tirpitz stayed afloat. It was not until November 1944 that she was finally destroyed by RAF Lancaster Bombers flown by 617 Squadron – the Dambusters – in a gruelling mission that tested the very limits of human endurance.
The man who led the raid – Willie Tait – was one of the most remarkable figures of the war, flying missions almost continuously right from the start. Until now his deeds have been virtually unknown. With exclusive co-operation from Tait’s family, Patrick Bishop reveals the extraordinary achievement of a man who shunned the spotlight but whose name will be renowned for generations to come.
Tirpitz was the pride of Hitler’s navy. To Churchill, she was ‘the Beast’, a menace to Britain’s supply lines and a threat to the convoys sustaining Stalin’s armies. Tirpitz was said to be unsinkable, impregnable –no other target attracted so much attention.
In total 36 major Allied operations were launched against her, including desperately risky missions by human torpedoes and midget submarines and near-suicidal bombing raids. Yet Tirpitz stayed afloat. It was not until November 1944 that she was finally destroyed by RAF Lancaster Bombers flown by 617 Squadron – the Dambusters – in a gruelling mission that tested the very limits of human endurance.
The man who led the raid – Willie Tait – was one of the most remarkable figures of the war, flying missions almost continuously right from the start. Until now his deeds have been virtually unknown. With exclusive co-operation from Tait’s family, Patrick Bishop reveals the extraordinary achievement of a man who shunned the spotlight but whose name will be renowned for generations to come.
390 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2012
About the author
Patrick Bishop
59 books68 followersPatrick Bishop was born in London in 1952 and went to Wimbledon College and Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Before joining the Telegraph he worked on the Evening Standard, the Observer and the Sunday Times and in television as a reporter on Channel Four News. He is the author with John Witherow of a history of the Falkands War based on their own experiences and with Eamon Mallie of The Provisional IRA which was praised as the first authoritative account of the modern IRA. He also wrote a memoir the first Gulf War, Famous Victory and a history of the Irish diaspora The Irish Empire, based on the TV series which he devised.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 10, 2017
Target Tirpitz is about multiple British attempts to sink the German battleship Tirpitz, sister ship of the Bismarck which the Royal Navy sent to the bottom in May 1941.
Tirpitz spent most of the war hiding in a Norwegian fjord and fired few shots in anger. She was very well protected and extremely difficult to get at. Many attempts to sink Tirpitz were mounted, some of them quite bizarre, and the book tells of all of them in thrilling fashion.
The author clearly spent a fantastic amount of time on research, speaking to survivors from both sides or, in some cases, to families of the deceased. It's beautifully written with a notable absence of military jargon. There's some fine illustrations as well as a number of well-drawn and helpful maps. Terrific.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen and Two Families at War, all published by Sacristy Press.
Tirpitz spent most of the war hiding in a Norwegian fjord and fired few shots in anger. She was very well protected and extremely difficult to get at. Many attempts to sink Tirpitz were mounted, some of them quite bizarre, and the book tells of all of them in thrilling fashion.
The author clearly spent a fantastic amount of time on research, speaking to survivors from both sides or, in some cases, to families of the deceased. It's beautifully written with a notable absence of military jargon. There's some fine illustrations as well as a number of well-drawn and helpful maps. Terrific.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen and Two Families at War, all published by Sacristy Press.
April 2, 2026
Hell yeah!!!
What a great book. I think a lot of the heavy lifting is done by the amazing true story that it is chronicling, but Bishop does a stellar job of telling the story in an engaging way, giving each section or each character just enough time to understand or appreciate their contribution without boring you or keeping you in one spot for too long. Really really good.
What a great book. I think a lot of the heavy lifting is done by the amazing true story that it is chronicling, but Bishop does a stellar job of telling the story in an engaging way, giving each section or each character just enough time to understand or appreciate their contribution without boring you or keeping you in one spot for too long. Really really good.
June 16, 2017
Amazingly detailed account of the varied attempts to destroy the German battleship Tirpitz that took over four years to finally succeed. Patrick Bishop also includes other WWII theatres such as the sinking of Bismark and the St. Nazaire dock raid, the arctic convoys, the sinking of Scharnhorst, all related to the threat posed by Tirpitz.
'Target Tirpitz' provides intimate particulars of most of the twenty four operations between late 1940 and November 1944 that were sent against the pride of the Kreigsmarine, that Churchill termed 'the beast'.
RAF bombers had attempted to attack Tirpitz while she was docked at Wilhelmshaven and Kiel in 1941. When she was located in the Norwegian fjords her threats to the Russian convoys or her breakout into the North Atlantic set in motion large counter measures of Royal Naval vessels and new and ingenious attempts sink the mighty warship. The author recounts the raids at Trondheim by the X-Craft submarines as well as forays by the Fleet Air Arm.
The story culminates in the RAF 'Dambuster' squadrons and Barnes Wallis' Tallboy invention that finally destroyed Tirpitz at Tromso.
I thought this book could have benefitted with the addition of photographic plates of Tirpitz and also maps of the Norwegian fjords where the ship was located, but other than that, this book contains much that will interest the WWII reader.
In 1975 I sailed as ship's officer through these waters to the Barents and White Sea. On entering the Norwegian fjords our captain was replaced by a Norwegian pilot who navigated us past Trondheim, Tromso, Hammerfest to the North Cape. While passing Tromso the pilot pointed out where Tirpitz met her end. While sailing in the arctic circle I certainly appreciated the storm force seas, ice and frostbite that sailors in the convoys endured, without the threats of U-Boats, bombers and battleships.
'Target Tirpitz' provides intimate particulars of most of the twenty four operations between late 1940 and November 1944 that were sent against the pride of the Kreigsmarine, that Churchill termed 'the beast'.
RAF bombers had attempted to attack Tirpitz while she was docked at Wilhelmshaven and Kiel in 1941. When she was located in the Norwegian fjords her threats to the Russian convoys or her breakout into the North Atlantic set in motion large counter measures of Royal Naval vessels and new and ingenious attempts sink the mighty warship. The author recounts the raids at Trondheim by the X-Craft submarines as well as forays by the Fleet Air Arm.
The story culminates in the RAF 'Dambuster' squadrons and Barnes Wallis' Tallboy invention that finally destroyed Tirpitz at Tromso.
I thought this book could have benefitted with the addition of photographic plates of Tirpitz and also maps of the Norwegian fjords where the ship was located, but other than that, this book contains much that will interest the WWII reader.
In 1975 I sailed as ship's officer through these waters to the Barents and White Sea. On entering the Norwegian fjords our captain was replaced by a Norwegian pilot who navigated us past Trondheim, Tromso, Hammerfest to the North Cape. While passing Tromso the pilot pointed out where Tirpitz met her end. While sailing in the arctic circle I certainly appreciated the storm force seas, ice and frostbite that sailors in the convoys endured, without the threats of U-Boats, bombers and battleships.
August 30, 2015
This book focuses on the various Allied efforts to sink the battleship and is an enjoyable read, though it breaks no new ground. In his narrative Bishop effortlessly changes perspective between German, British and Norwegian protagonists, just as easily as his scope waries from close-up to widescreen. The book is more about action than analysis, and Bishop tend to portray his subjects as if they're all from the same mould; nearly all of them comes across as likeable, well-adjusted and well-balanced, despite their harrowing experiences.
May 6, 2022
Something of a mixed bag, this. Patrick Bishop writes with a journalist's focus - a quick flick through the notes reveals an emphasis on interviews, memoirs and published sources. This gives his writing an immediacy and a focus on personal experience that helps propel the tale along. Chapters on Bismarck, the Arctic convoys, and Scharnhorst help to place it in context.
When it comes to the actual history though, the feeling of writing to deadline begins to creep in. For example, this if anywhere would surely have been the place to highlight Admiral Godfrey's then-revolutionary idea which he described as follows:
'In a recent memorandum I invited "every member of the N.I.D. or I.S.T.D. staff (male or female)" to take a hand in solving a specific Naval problem (i.e. the destruction of the TIRPITZ; a copy of the memo is attached): [this offer] produced a strong response and a large number of suggestive ideas. There were no conditions and no formalities but there was an implied promise that every proposal would be seen and weighed by the competent Directors. The individual's urge to contribute his own military notions simply and freely was recognised and the assurance given that they would receive attention.' (ADM 223/473, March 1942).
In the chapter on North Cape he claims the 36 Scharnhorst survivors were picked up from a life raft, which I don't believe was the case. This and the Denmark Strait chapter, which also has weaknesses, are arguably tangential to the main story but undermine confidence in the whole.
Bishop occasionally falls into the trap of pontificating about what the commander on the spot should have done - dangerous territory even with the benefit of safety, comfort and hindsight.
Enough of my whinges. The book is a pacey, well-written and well-produced review of the short life of a ship whose mere existence tied down disproportionate forces and constrained Allied options. The unsupported fear of a Tirpitz sortie led directly to the PQ17 catastrophe. As such this volume, though imperfect, deserves its place on the shelf.
When it comes to the actual history though, the feeling of writing to deadline begins to creep in. For example, this if anywhere would surely have been the place to highlight Admiral Godfrey's then-revolutionary idea which he described as follows:
'In a recent memorandum I invited "every member of the N.I.D. or I.S.T.D. staff (male or female)" to take a hand in solving a specific Naval problem (i.e. the destruction of the TIRPITZ; a copy of the memo is attached): [this offer] produced a strong response and a large number of suggestive ideas. There were no conditions and no formalities but there was an implied promise that every proposal would be seen and weighed by the competent Directors. The individual's urge to contribute his own military notions simply and freely was recognised and the assurance given that they would receive attention.' (ADM 223/473, March 1942).
In the chapter on North Cape he claims the 36 Scharnhorst survivors were picked up from a life raft, which I don't believe was the case. This and the Denmark Strait chapter, which also has weaknesses, are arguably tangential to the main story but undermine confidence in the whole.
Bishop occasionally falls into the trap of pontificating about what the commander on the spot should have done - dangerous territory even with the benefit of safety, comfort and hindsight.
Enough of my whinges. The book is a pacey, well-written and well-produced review of the short life of a ship whose mere existence tied down disproportionate forces and constrained Allied options. The unsupported fear of a Tirpitz sortie led directly to the PQ17 catastrophe. As such this volume, though imperfect, deserves its place on the shelf.
February 21, 2024
4.5 stars. This is very well-researched, comprehensive military history, giving as much detail as any reasonable reader could want about the determined and sometimes desperate Allied attempts to sink the German battleship Tirpitz.
Each of the missions (24 according to the cover - I lost count) is described meticulously with a wealth of biographical and technical detail. Generally there is a good balance between the "human" stories and the nuts-and-bolts history. The maps are helpful (though very small print for this reader) and there are plentiful illustrations, both integrated into the text and in separate plate sections. The writing is generally lucid and literate with only occasional over-use of adjectives and questionable word choices.
Faults ? This may be a matter of taste, but protagonists' early lives and education were sometimes described at tedious length, reminding me of Victorian history where "character" and "background" were felt to be as important in determining the outcome of a battle as weaponry and skilled use thereof.
And I would have liked the author to commit himself a little more on the historical analysis rather than just describing events (which he does very well). How real a threat WAS Tirpitz ? Was the ship, in the end, as much of a distraction and waste of resources for the Germans as the Allies ? Were the repeated attempts to sink her, especially the later ones when it had become clear that the German high command was reluctant to risk her on an actual operation of war, worthwhile ? These issues are touched on briefly in the last chapter but a military historian, having immersed himself in research sufficiently to write a book of nearly 400 pages about a single warship, should perhaps have felt entitled to offer a bit more in the way of opinion.
But if you want the facts, well-researched and well-presented, they are here.
Each of the missions (24 according to the cover - I lost count) is described meticulously with a wealth of biographical and technical detail. Generally there is a good balance between the "human" stories and the nuts-and-bolts history. The maps are helpful (though very small print for this reader) and there are plentiful illustrations, both integrated into the text and in separate plate sections. The writing is generally lucid and literate with only occasional over-use of adjectives and questionable word choices.
Faults ? This may be a matter of taste, but protagonists' early lives and education were sometimes described at tedious length, reminding me of Victorian history where "character" and "background" were felt to be as important in determining the outcome of a battle as weaponry and skilled use thereof.
And I would have liked the author to commit himself a little more on the historical analysis rather than just describing events (which he does very well). How real a threat WAS Tirpitz ? Was the ship, in the end, as much of a distraction and waste of resources for the Germans as the Allies ? Were the repeated attempts to sink her, especially the later ones when it had become clear that the German high command was reluctant to risk her on an actual operation of war, worthwhile ? These issues are touched on briefly in the last chapter but a military historian, having immersed himself in research sufficiently to write a book of nearly 400 pages about a single warship, should perhaps have felt entitled to offer a bit more in the way of opinion.
But if you want the facts, well-researched and well-presented, they are here.
March 28, 2023
Тирпиц е боен кораб от времето на Втората световна война. Кръстен е на основателя на германския военноморски флот и е гордостта на Кригсмарине. Чърчил е обсебен от идеята да унищожи Тирпиц, защото го възприема като постоянна заплаха за арктическите конвои към Архангелск и Мурманск. Британците организират 24 специални операции за потопяването на кораба - от рутинни бомбардировки до специални агенти, човешки торпеда и миниатюрни подводници. С неуспеха на всяка следваща мисия се затвърждава легендата, че Тирпиц е неразрушим.
Тирпиц прекарва почти цялата война около норвежките фиорди, но почти не участва в бойни действия. След потопяването на сестринския кораб Бисмарк нацисткият флот не иска повече да рискува. Но Тирпиц влияе върху войната, дори без да влиза в директни битки. Самото му присъствие в непосредствена близост е достатъчно да ангажираща огромни ресурси на противника, които иначе биха били използвани за други цели. Страхът от намесата на Тирпиц води до пагубното решение за разпръскване на конвоя PQ-17. Разделените и напълно незащитени британски товарни кораби стават лесни мишени за ловуващите подводници и бомбардировачи.
През ноември 1944 г. Тирпиц е потопен в близост до Тромсьо след въздушна атака със специални земетръсни бомби (Tallboy), създадени от известния изобретател Барнс Уолис именно за целта. Краят на Типриц затвърждава факта, че значението на повърхностния флот за развоя на войната отдавна е отминало. Далеч по-големи щети са нанесени от подводниците на нацистите и от самолетоносачите на съюзниците. Морската стратегия никога няма да бъде същата.
Тирпиц прекарва почти цялата война около норвежките фиорди, но почти не участва в бойни действия. След потопяването на сестринския кораб Бисмарк нацисткият флот не иска повече да рискува. Но Тирпиц влияе върху войната, дори без да влиза в директни битки. Самото му присъствие в непосредствена близост е достатъчно да ангажираща огромни ресурси на противника, които иначе биха били използвани за други цели. Страхът от намесата на Тирпиц води до пагубното решение за разпръскване на конвоя PQ-17. Разделените и напълно незащитени британски товарни кораби стават лесни мишени за ловуващите подводници и бомбардировачи.
През ноември 1944 г. Тирпиц е потопен в близост до Тромсьо след въздушна атака със специални земетръсни бомби (Tallboy), създадени от известния изобретател Барнс Уолис именно за целта. Краят на Типриц затвърждава факта, че значението на повърхностния флот за развоя на войната отдавна е отминало. Далеч по-големи щети са нанесени от подводниците на нацистите и от самолетоносачите на съюзниците. Морската стратегия никога няма да бъде същата.
August 10, 2018
Published in 2012, Target Tirpitz looks at the numerous attempts by Britain to sink or disable the German battleship Tirpitz. Some of the book is devoted to the disastrous foray by the sister ship of the Tirpitz, the Bismark as well as other major German vessels such as the Scharnhorst. This is not a technical book - whilst some technical details of the Tirpitz are provided, these are really just there to give some basic impression of just how powerful a warship the Tirpitz was. Some detail is given of the lifestyle of the crew of the Tirpitz, but not surprisingly the strongest chapters deal with the preparation and execution of the various attacks on the Tirpitz by the RN, FAA and RAF. A lot of info to be crammed into the book, and so it benefits by being concisely written and quick to read.
July 24, 2021
The Second World War marked the end of the era of the Battleships.Notwithstanding their vulnerability they could still cause concern to the opposition, as in the case of the Tidbits.
This excellently written book highlights the incredible bravery of the men charged with destroying this menacing ship.They all deserved a medal.
This excellently written book highlights the incredible bravery of the men charged with destroying this menacing ship.They all deserved a medal.
June 17, 2024
The resources that were tied up during World War II by this ship's potential destructive power and all the effort, material and lives that were expended to render it useless make for fascinating reading. Once I started it I had to have it with me everywhere (and I got hold of a first edition hardback).
February 16, 2023
a fantastic read
I chose this book as I knew little about the attempts made on the Tirpitz. It was fascinating, inspiring and respectful to all those involved, whether allie or axis.
I chose this book as I knew little about the attempts made on the Tirpitz. It was fascinating, inspiring and respectful to all those involved, whether allie or axis.
August 13, 2023
Excellent detail on this most powerful ship of the German Navy, whose mere presence was a thorn in the Admiralty's side whilst stationed in Norway. Some superb back ground stories and descriptions of the attacks made on her.
October 28, 2025
Fascinating insight into the battle against the Tirpitz. Just amazing how much effort was put into her destruction given her limited service career. Strongly recommended for anyone interested in WW2 military history
July 6, 2020
Couldn’t put it down
A wonderful account of an exciting and and influential episode in the second world
war ,which never must be forgotten.
A wonderful account of an exciting and and influential episode in the second world
war ,which never must be forgotten.
October 5, 2023
A gifted author, who is not afraid to go on wide but interesting detours in order to tell tales related to a basically very interesting subject. Somewhat superficial in stringent analysis, but a captivating read .
March 11, 2017
A somewhat dry read, which almost stopped me proceeding as I got thirty or forty pages in and then didn't pick it up for a week or so. But in fact the plain prose style is a good choice - the story itself is interesting enough to drive the reader's interest, once you get going.
One of the most startling insights is how little the Tirpitz actually did in WWII. A mere handful of missions once based in Norway, its significance was more in its potential, and the fact the Navy had to commit its own ships to that area to protect convoys from a theoretical threat rarely realised due to the fact the Germans couldn't afford to risk their prize ship unless certain of victory. Too valuable to put into action then, and instead the missions against it detailed here, and the lives lost by brave men, all down to its mere existence rather than its actions. Just one of the insanities of war.
The details of those missions though are fascinating, and the memories of those men worth preserving. A word of caution though, more than once a picture or diagram is inserted halfway through an episode, with a caption that gives away events you've yet to read about. Tread carefully around these.
But all in all, an interesting insight into a less talked about episode in WWII history.
One of the most startling insights is how little the Tirpitz actually did in WWII. A mere handful of missions once based in Norway, its significance was more in its potential, and the fact the Navy had to commit its own ships to that area to protect convoys from a theoretical threat rarely realised due to the fact the Germans couldn't afford to risk their prize ship unless certain of victory. Too valuable to put into action then, and instead the missions against it detailed here, and the lives lost by brave men, all down to its mere existence rather than its actions. Just one of the insanities of war.
The details of those missions though are fascinating, and the memories of those men worth preserving. A word of caution though, more than once a picture or diagram is inserted halfway through an episode, with a caption that gives away events you've yet to read about. Tread carefully around these.
But all in all, an interesting insight into a less talked about episode in WWII history.
August 4, 2025
This look at the battleship Tirpitz, her launch, crew, and sinking, focuses on the seas around Norway, so it is good for anyone wanting to study that part of the world and WW2. The reasons for building and launching the pocket battleships and the larger Tirpitz are given. We see that she was idle around Norway, controlling the Barents Sea shipping lanes, and how the crew passed the time, dealing civilly with the nearest farmers who had no choice but to be polite.
The Allies wanted this ship sunk and Lancaster bombers were sent out to hurl heavy munitions at it, which effectively upset the chance of returning fire as the ship moved so much. The sinking trapped some men in a compartment, and they tried to keep spirits up and assure one another they would be rescued. Some of them were and those in another compartment were not.
The names like Swordfish, Spitfire, U-boat, Albacore, will be familiar to many. The people's names are too many to list but there is an index. Notes p.373, index p.381 -390. Good photos, we could perhaps have had more of them.
I read a paperback. This is an unbiased review.
The Allies wanted this ship sunk and Lancaster bombers were sent out to hurl heavy munitions at it, which effectively upset the chance of returning fire as the ship moved so much. The sinking trapped some men in a compartment, and they tried to keep spirits up and assure one another they would be rescued. Some of them were and those in another compartment were not.
The names like Swordfish, Spitfire, U-boat, Albacore, will be familiar to many. The people's names are too many to list but there is an index. Notes p.373, index p.381 -390. Good photos, we could perhaps have had more of them.
I read a paperback. This is an unbiased review.
June 28, 2015
A very readable account of the Tirpitz and the many attempts to destroy one of Germany's capital ships in the Second World War. Tirpitz represented a permanent threat, particularly to the Arctic convoys. Moored for most of its life in a Norwegian fjord the Titpitz rarely ventured far, but when it did allied warships and merchant shipping were at a considerable disadvantage. Having sunk the pocket battleship Bismark shortly after it sank HMS Hood and then broke out into the Atlantic, the allies needed to rid themselves of Tirpitz and the very real danger it presented. From bombing raids by the RAF to underwater 'chariots' and later X-craft midget submarines, this book provides great insight into the race to sink the Tirpitz. A fascinating book which, for me, falls into the unputdownable category.
December 8, 2013
Solid historical war novel. I love ships and airplanes; in a way it was very educative reading this book. Well written, I nonetheless sometimes struggled a bit to follow the chronology. But then, war is not chronological, it is chaotic and it happens somewat randomly in multiple theatres. It was astounding the price of war - sunken ships, dead people, collateral damage, erosion of morals and principles. Behind the scenes are politicians pulling strings - some of them severely flawed in their personalities. As always, most soldiers are arguably healthier human beings than politicians. The courage of the soldiers on both sides and the risks they were prepared to take is incredible. Mainly for people with an interest in history, military action, boats, planes.
January 31, 2015
Excellent book for those interested in the history of WWII, especially with an interest in the lives and conditions of those that fought and experienced the war. The most significant take-away for me was the sheer quantity of resources and lives dedicated to the pursuit and destruction of a ship that in fact sailed out to battle so seldom and accomplished so little. The ship's potential to influence naval activity was immeasurably greater than its actual impact, a lesson hopefully missed by few strategists.
February 26, 2013
An in-depth account covering a vast amount of action: the breakout of the Bismarck, the Arctic Convoys, the Shetland Bus...all tied up with the operations of the Third Reich's last battleship.
An excellent starting point for any reading into all of these things, and a fine book in and of itself.
Filled with quotes of people from each side where appropriate, and fortunately short on the speculation that sometimes fills such tomes.
An excellent starting point for any reading into all of these things, and a fine book in and of itself.
Filled with quotes of people from each side where appropriate, and fortunately short on the speculation that sometimes fills such tomes.
May 28, 2016
Covers a lot of material - Tirpitz was of strategic importance (or at least considered so) so everything happening around her has to be covered as well. As often is the case, contains a few errors (the Royal Navy had 3 battlecruisers at the start of the war, not 4; Duke of York had 14 inch guns not 15 inch) - and probably a few more that I missed.
Read
June 22, 2013Very good account of an important aspect of the war at sea.
January 6, 2014
Learnt some stuff I didn't know with this one :-) In depth study with some great personal stories :-)
November 1, 2015
Excellent- a lighter read, but I really enjoyed the narrative.
January 15, 2016
Spennende bok. Godt skrevet. Gode beretninger fra begge sider av konflikten. Gode skildringer.
August 24, 2016
Spennende bok om Englands mange forsøk på å senke Hitlers slagskip Tirpitz mens det lå i Norge. Og som de omsider greide ved Håkøya i november 1944.
September 2, 2016
Excellent gripping truth
July 25, 2020
I really enjoyed this book it was historical and gripping about the Tirpitz
April 12, 2017
I had not realised the impact the Terpitz had on the Royal Navy and the Admiralty.The book goes in to lots of detail covering the underground in Norway and the perils that their members took in providing information. Complete coverage of the air attacks and the personnel who took part and the difficulties with the distance and weather up to the final sinking with specially adapted bombs and a large number of planes near the end of the war. It all now seems such a long time ago but it was all within my lifetime and our current politics seem to have little relevance to all the sacrifices made by the Allies in winning the last war.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews