BRITISH AIRMEN COMPLETE TASK

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25051, 15 November 1944, Page 5

BRITISH AIRMEN COMPLETE TASK

HITS WITH 12,000L8 bombs

ONE ATTACKING AIRCRAFT MISSING

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 14, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 14 It is officially announced that the German battleship Tirpitz, 0 f 40,000 tons, has been sunk in Tromso Fiord, Northern Norway- . . A communique issued by the British Air Ministry states: "On Sunday morning 29 Lancasters of the Royal Air Force gomber Command, led by Wing-Commander J. B. Tait, D.5.0., PJF.C., and Squadron-Leader R. G. Williams, attacked the warship Tirpitz in Tromso Fiord with 12,0001b. bombs. Several direct Jjjts were scored, and within a few minutes the ship capsized and gank. One of our aircraft is missing." Two weeks ago a special force of Lancasters trapped the [Tirpitz in an open, unprepared position four miles off Tromso, and was reported to have badly damaged her with 12,0001b bombs, gjiewas in an obviously vulnerable position, and further attacks by the Royal Air Force were clearly indicated. "The entire fleet of German capital ships has now been wiped out and the Navy is free to give its almost undivided attention to japan's Navy, says the Daily Mail, commenting on the sinking of the Tirpitz. The paper points out that the single Lancaster which is announced as missing from the attack may be safe, because the Swedish radio announced that a British bomber made a forced landing 50 miles south-east of Narvik.