The first attack took place on the morning of August 22, however, the attack failed and a smaller evening raid also did little damage. In fact, Winston Churchill said: 'The destruction or even crippling of this ship is the greatest event at sea at the present time. The German battleship Tirpitz was anchored in Kaafjord, Norway and posed a big threat to allied ships. The 50ft long subs were small enough to penetrate the fjord defences yet large enough to carry a four tonne charge and operate unsupported for several days. The daring young man found himself on X-craft submarine training programme in Loch Cairnbawn in the Highlands. Years after his heroic exploits, Mr Lorimer still didn't know what made him step forward for such a seemingly impossible mission, 'Perhaps we were all mad,' he said. Mr Lorimer was just 19-years-old when he volunteered for the 'special and hazardous' X-craft project after seeing a notice that said: 'Must be able to swim.' The great-grandfather of six, from Kirkmichael, Ayrshire, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Using midget submarines and armed with explosives he took on the fearsome ship in September 1943. He later said prison camp was ‘very like public school’. He later said prison camp was ‘very like public school’Ī war hero who was the last survivor of a courageous attack against the German battleship Tirpitz, died on Sunday following a short illness.Ĭommander John Lorimer, 97, was captured by the Nazis after the assault in a Norwegian fjord. Commander John Lorimer, 97, was captured by the Nazis after the assault in a Norwegian fjord.
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