Operation Tungsten required a large carrier force because the British had to assemble enough aircraft from fleet and escort carriers for both strike and protection. Victorious, Furious, Emperor, Pursuer, and Searcher generated the attacking force, while Fencer helped protect the carrier group. Each attacking formation paired roughly 21 Fairey Barracudas with about 40 fighters, including Wildcats and Hellcats, and 881 supplied part of that fighter strength from Pursuer. The fjord setting made torpedo approaches impractical, while carrier aircraft could not deliver the heaviest bombs later used by Bomber Command. Estimates of how long Tirpitz remained unusable depend on whether the standard is minimal repair, a prudent return to sea, or perfect working order. About six months is offered as a practical estimate, with the boundary acknowledged as a judgment call.
Chapter · 27:59-34:07
881 Squadron's fighter role in Operation Tungsten
Follow 881's fighter contribution to the Royal Navy's Barracuda attack on Tirpitz and the debate over how long the battleship was kept out of useful service.