article for August 22, 2019
Article of the day for August 22, 2019 is Operation Goodwood (naval) . Operation Goodwood was a series of air raids launched from aircraft carriers of the British Home Fleet against the German battleship Tirpitz in Kaafjord, Norway. It was the Royal Navy's last attack on Tirpitz, which posed a significant threat to the Allied convoys travelling to the Soviet Union. The Fleet departed its base on 18 August 1944 and first launched air raids against Kaafjord on the morning and evening of 22 August. Further attacks were made on 24 and 29 August. All of these attacks failed, and only two bombs struck Tirpitz. German forces suffered the loss of 12 aircraft and damage to 7 other ships. The British lost 17 aircraft and a frigate. HMS Nabob, an escort carrier, was also badly damaged. Historians attribute Operation Goodwood's failure to shortcomings of the Fleet Air Arm's aircraft and armament. The mission to sink Tirpitz was subsequently transferred to the Royal Air Force.
