Operation Title: Sink the Tirpitz
256 pages
Capt Andrew Welch
Operation TITLE was the 1942 Shetland Bus/Chariot operation designed to sink the Tirpitz in a fjord near Trondheim. Arthur, one of the Shetland Bus fishing vessels, was to transport the chariots to a release point near Tirpitz’s heavily-defended berth, when the two chariots would be released to take their mines & drop them under her keel. Unfortunately, when well into Norwegian waters, a larger than expected wave caused Arthur to pitch violently and both chariot securing lines parted. On 31st October, the mission was aborted, Arthurwas (unsuccessfully) scuttled and Leif Larsen,[1] his three crew and the six RN/RM crew started their escape, across Norway, to Sweden. Everyone made it to safety and back to Britain, apart from AB Bob Evans. He was injured in an exchange of fire on 7th November and taken prisoner by the Germans. He was subsequently transferred to Grini Prison, near Oslo, on 14th December. Hitler’s ‘Commando Order’, ordering the “annihilation to the last man” of all men operating against German troops in so-called ‘Commando raids’ had been issued on 18th October 1942 and AB Evans was deemed by the Nazi authorities in Norway to be a ‘Commando’,[2] so on 19th January 1943 he, and five sappers were taken into Trandum forest and executed by firing squad.[3] Their graves were discovered in May 1945 and on 10th October 1954, a granite memorial was unveiled in a service attended by Crown Prince Olav of Norway.
This book is really misnamed, as it is more the story of AB Evans (no relation to the author) than of Op. TITLE. Glyn Evans discovered AB Evans when reading about Admiral Max Horton and then followed his story in great detail. The story of Op. TITLE is only about one-third of this book. The reminder is a very full account of the escapes to Sweden, the subsequent fates of those involved, especially AB Evans, the post-war discovery of Evans’ fate and the consequent reckonings – two Nazis were hanged after their trials at Nuremburg.
For those that have read about the myriad anti-Tirpitz operations, this book makes very clear the levels of bravery and endurance required of so many of those involved in ‘minor’ operations.[4] For those who want to read about the efforts to sink the Tirpitz, there are books that tell a much broader story.
[1] The most decorated naval officer of WWII: CGM, DSO, DSC, DSM & Bar. He also received 4 Norwegian awards.
[2] Secretly – there were only 12 copies of this order, which was “intended for commanders only and must not under any circumstances fall into enemy hands”.
[3] Who had been involved in Operation FRESHMAN, the attack on the Vemork heavy water plant.
[4] That is not to say, for a moment, that the aim & potential result of those operations was ‘minor’ – just the forces involved.
