Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945, Operation PARAVANE: the attack on the German battleship TIRPITZ, moored in Kaa Fjord, Norway, by Avro Lancasters of Nos. 9 and 617 Squadrons flying from bases in northern Russia. Here, a Lancaster flys towards the target (arrowed, upper left) as a colossal smoke screen is belatedly released by the German defenders, 15 September 1944. The TIRPITZ was damaged by one hit and several near misses with 12,000-lb deep penetration 'Tallboy' bombs and was subsequently moved to an anchorage further south in Norway. (Photo by No. 5 Group RAF/ Imperial War Museums via Getty Images)