CRIPPLED TIRPITZ

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 16, 14 October 1943, Page 5

CRIPPLED TIRPITZ

Threat To Convoys Removed

(Received October 13. 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, October 13. Explaining why the crippling of the Tirpitz by midget submarines was one of the greatest strokes of the war, Admiral Sir William James, chief of naval information, broadcasting said that first, she was the most powerful battleship in the German Fleet and the nucleus of any German squadron going to sea with serious intentions. Secondly, she ’was the pride of the German Navy and had been launched in Hitler’s presence. Thirdly, if she were loos® in the Atlantic she could do more damage to our convoys in one night than U-boats had done in the last three months.

It was to prevent her reaching convoy routes that the Rome Fleet had been guarding the exits from the North Sea into the Atlantic daily. We would have been disappointed but not surprised if the attack had failed as the odds against our men were heavy. The U.S. Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox, at a Press conference in Washington, said British midget submarines which immobilized the Tirpitz wdre operated by two-man crews. The attack against the Tirpitz was carried out while he was in England. It was.characterized by an amazingly high spirit and daring courage. “It was one of the most difficult tilings ever attempted,” he said.