The Fairey Barracuda played a pivotal role in Operation Tungsten, a coordinated Allied effort on 3 April 1944 to neutralize the German battleship Tirpitz moored in Norway's Kaafjord. Equipped with the Mk II variant, featuring a more powerful Merlin 32 engine and radar technology, these aircraft were part of a meticulously planned assault aimed at diminishing the Tirpitz's threat to Allied naval operations. The operation involved two waves of attacks by the Barracudas, accompanied by fighter escorts to suppress anti-aircraft defenses and engage potential German fighter interceptions. Achieving surprise, the Barracudas delivered heavy payloads, scoring multiple direct hits on the battleship. Despite not sinking the Tirpitz, the attack inflicted significant damage, requiring extensive repairs and sidelining the ship for months, thereby achieving a strategic victory. The Barracuda's performance during Operation Tungsten underscored its value in the Fleet Air Arm's arsenal and marked a high point in the aircraft's operational history
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5 апр 2024
