A gripping account of the epic hunt for Hitler’s most terrifying battleship – the legendary Tirpitz – and the brave men who risked their lives to attack and destroy this most potent symbol of the Nazi’s fearsome war machine.
The Tirpitz was Hitler’s greatest weapon. The largest battleship in Europe, ‘the Beast’ as Churchill called it was reputed to be unsinkable. Lurking off Norway, it threatened vital convoys to Russia, tied up key British resources and – despite firing its guns only once – cast an almost supernatural shadow over the war effort. Nothing in the Allied armoury could compete. So profound was the ship’s psychological effect that, in 1942, rumour of its presence scattered an Allied convoy, leaving undefended 35 merchantmen, 24 of which were sunk.
The fear ‘the Beast’ inspired would stoke an Allied obsession: to sink the Tirpitz, at any cost. Many men, over many years, would attempt what came to seem almost impossible. In total 13 major operations were launched. Midget submarines planted explosives beneath her hull, with no lasting damage. Bold attacks by Fairey Barracudas dive-bombers had little effect. It was not until 1944 that a daring raid by the RAF, under the command of one of the heroes of the Dambusters raid, finally destroyed this potent symbol of Hitler’s ambition.
Willie Tait had flown with Leonard Cheshire and Guy Gibson during the destruction of the Ruhr dams. However the third Dambuster consistently shunned the spotlight and his story till now has never been told.
With exclusive access to Tait’s personal papers, best-selling historian Patrick Bishop brings to life one of the most daring missions of the Second World War in the words of the extraordinary men and women whose courage and single-minded dedication would strike a vital blow against the Nazis and hasten Allied victory.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Praise for ‘Fighter Boys’:
‘Powerful yet restrained, at times almost unbearably touching.’ TJ Binyon, Evening Standard
‘A superb account of the spirit and character of Fighter Command.’ Martin Fletcher, Independent
‘I know of no more thoughtful nor yet more moving study of their achievement.’ Max Hastings, Sunday Telegraph
Praise for ‘Bomber Boys’:
‘Deeply humane, lucidly written and powerful...refreshingly unpretentious’ Michael Burleigh, Sunday Times
‘This is the best kind of military history’ Daniel Johnson, Evening Standard
‘A terrific book, so riveting, exciting and moving that it must help bring back the Bomber Boys to their rightful place of honour. A true war memorial.’ Montagu Curzon, Spectator
More praise for ‘Fighter Boys’
‘As a vivid chronicle of who the Battle of Britain pilots were, what motivated them, and why they were ultimately successful, “Fighter Boys” is unsurpassed.’ Daily Telegraph
‘A living, breathing monument to the fighter boys.’ Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday
‘No one reading this book can possibly doubt the heroism of those involved...there can’t be a finer history.’ James Holland, New Statesman
Praise for ‘3 Para’:
‘Wonderfully compelling...a fast-paced story of incredible bravery that at times reads like a thriller.’ Christina Lamb, Sunday Times
‘Bishop gives a gripping insight into deployment in Afghanistan last year of 3 Para...written with the fluent, rich and engaging fashion typical of the author’s as a journalist.’ The Times
‘Patrick Bishop’s riveting account of 3 Para’s bitter little war...presents an inspiring story of courage, discipline and...selfless comradeship...fast-paced and absorbing.’ Daily Mail
‘Really does put you on the ground with the troops...a tribute to the sheer bravery and determination of 3 Para Battle Group.’ Andy McNab, Mail on Sunday
‘The best reporting I have read on the war in Afghanistan’ Observer
‘By turns, funny, moving, gripping, furious, insightful and terrifying, “3 Para” is as fine a book as you’ll ever read on modern warfare.’ Daily Telegraph
Praise for ‘Ground Truth’:
‘One of the best accounts you will ever read about contemporary warfare: shrewdly observed, action-packed and written with great sensitivity.’ James Delingpole, Mail on Sunday
‘A beguiling and often bewildering account of how this strange war seems to the fighting man and woman... As a view from the ground, often with the author present at key points, Bishop’s books are invaluable’ Evening Standard
‘What makes this sequel stand out as a record of the war in Afghanistan is the author’s ability to encapsulate the personalities of the various officers and men involved, while simultaneously unravelling the complex strategy behind this most confusing of campaigns’ TLS
Patrick Bishop is the author of the critically acclaimed and best-selling ‘Fighter Boys’, ‘Bomber Boys’, ‘3 Para’ and ‘Ground Truth’. Previously, he was a foreign correspondent for over twenty years, reporting from conflicts all over the world.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
(No Available Copies)
Search Books: Create a WantIf you know the book but cannot find it on AbeBooks, we can automatically search for it on your behalf as new inventory is added. If it is added to AbeBooks by one of our member booksellers, we will notify you!
Create a Want