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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- SHIPS of the GERMAN NAVY --

Tirpitz (Battleship, 1941-1944)

Tirpitz, a 44,755-ton Bismarck class battleship, was built at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Commissioned in February 1941, she operated in the Baltic during her first several months of service, conducting trials and training, as well as combat missions in connection with the invasion of the Soviet Union.

In January 1942, Tirpitz steamed to Norwegian waters, where she remained for the remainder of her career. Initially based at Trondheim, and later in fjords further north, she was a constant threat to supply lines between the Western Allies and the Soviets. Though Tirpitz never actually came into contact with Allied shipping, and only fired her guns at enemy targets during a September 1943 raid on shore facilities at Spitzbergen, her great power caused the U.S. and British navies to divert scarce resources to counter her and generated intense efforts to put her out of action.

In late September 1943, a British midget submarine raid planted explosives near Tirpitz, causing serious shock damage when they exploded. In February 1944, while she was under repair, the German battleship was the target of a raid by Soviet bombers that produced one near-miss. In early April, as her repairs were completing, Tirpitz was attacked by British carrier-based planes, receiving several hits and serious damage and casualties. Further repairs lasted until June, and she was again attacked by British planes in July and August, though the resulting damage was not serious. In mid-September, she was hit in the bow by very heavy bombs dropped by Royal Air Force heavy bombers. Moved to Tromsø in October, she was the target of further raids. Finally, on 12 November, Tirpitz was hit and near-missed by several very heavy bombs, causing massive damage. She listed heavily, suffered an ammunition explosion and rolled over. Her wreck was largely scrapped in place after the war.

This page features our only views of the German Battleship Tirpitz and provides a link to views taken on board or related to her.

For additional photographs, taken on board Tirpitz or related to her, see:

  • Tirpitz -- On Board and Miscellaneous Views

    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 59655

    Tirpitz
    (German Battleship, 1941-1944)

    Photographed early in her career, probably in 1941.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 44KB; 740 x 460 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59668

    Tirpitz
    (German Battleship, 1941-1944)

    Underway for trials, circa March 1941.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 105KB; 740 x 565 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 71390

    Tirpitz
    (German Battleship, 1941-1944)

    Anchored in the Alta Fjord, in northern Norway, 1943-44.
    She is protected by anti-torpedo nets.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 550 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 71318

    Tirpitz
    (German Battleship, 1941-1944)

    Photographed in Norwegian waters in 1942-44.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 75KB; 510 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 71402

    Tirpitz
    (German Battleship, 1941-1944)

    Camouflaged at her moorings in the Flehke Fjord, Norway, during World War II.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 139KB; 740 x 540 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 86214

    Tirpitz
    (German Battleship, 1941-1944)

    Fitting out at Wilhelmshaven, Germany, 2 February 1940.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 555 pixels

     

    For additional photographs, taken on board Tirpitz or related to her, see:

  • Tirpitz -- On Board and Miscellaneous Views


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 31 May 2000
    Link added 17 December 2000