Raid on the Tirpitz

“On 24 August another major attack took place. 33 Barracudas, each carrying a 1,600 lb bomb, 24 Corsairs and 10 Hellcats with smaller bombs, plus 10 Fireflies took off for Kaa Fjord. Eight Seafires simultaneously attacked Banak airfield, as others patrolled over the fleet. One Barracuda observer wrote: ‘The pull out of the dive in the smoke with the mountains above … stuck in my memory’. But thick smoke made accuracy difficult, two Hellcats and four Corsairs were lost, with many of the surviving aircraft extensively damaged. The Germans conceded that this was ‘undoubtedly the heaviest  and most determined (attack) so far’:  one 1,600 lb bomb did pierce the main deck without exploding.” [The History Press]

Richardson’s Hellcat was last seen diving from 3000ft., meeting a ferocious flak barrage and exploding. It is thought that the wrecked plane hit the Tirpitz’ bridge.

Richardson was recommended for the Victoria Cross, but received a mention in dispatches instead.

[For Your Tomorrow, Errol Martyn Vol 2 p206]