Operation Mascot

Operation Mascot: The British Carrier Raid Against the German Battleship Tirpitz

Imagine a scene from World War II, where the might of the Royal Navy faces off against one of Germany’s most formidable warships. Operation Mascot was such an event—a daring carrier raid that aimed to strike at the heart of Nazi power in Norway.

The Prelude: A Carrier Air Raid

On July 17, 1944, a force of 44 British dive bombers and 40 fighters launched from three aircraft carriers. The mission was to attack the German battleship Tirpitz, which had been causing significant trouble for Allied convoys in the Norwegian Sea. But as the planes took off, they faced an unexpected challenge: could they even find their target?

The Smoke Screen and the Battle

The British force was detected by German radar stations near Kaafjord, but few managed to spot Tirpitz due to its protective smoke screen. The attack did not inflict any significant damage; only a patrol craft was lost, while several British aircraft were destroyed or damaged. Was the mission a failure?

The German Counterattack

German losses included two U-boats sunk near the carrier force and several others damaged. The task of sinking Tirpitz was transferred to the Royal Air Force after Operation Goodwood’s failure in August 1944. Could the RAF succeed where the Navy had failed?

The British Response

The British military sought to damage or destroy Tirpitz before she could re-enter service, with another midget submarine attack considered impractical due to improved defenses. Despite Operation Tungsten, many Home Fleet airmen were posted elsewhere, reducing experience and hindering subsequent operations against German forces in Norway. Would the next attempt be any different?

The Plan for Operation Mascot

Three raids against Tirpitz were cancelled due to bad weather, but on May 15, a strike force of 27 aircraft escorted by fighters launched from HMS Furious and Victorious. However, they encountered heavy cloud over Kaafjord and returned without attacking. The next raid, Operation Tiger Claw, was also cancelled due to bad weather, and the carriers sailed south in search of German convoys instead.

The Final Push

In June, the Admiralty remained committed to carrier raids against Tirpitz despite lack of success. Plans for a new attack in mid-July were directed by Admiral Sir Henry Moore after Allied intelligence reported that repairs were progressing well. 8 Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Wing operated from Indefatigable with 12 Barracudas, while No. 9 Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Wing was equipped with 24 Barracudas and 12 Fairey Firefly fighters.

The Execution of Operation Mascot

Indefatigable did not embark any Barracudas during Operation Mascot, instead operating 20 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters from 1840 Naval Air Squadron. The British fleet left Scapa Flow as a single group on July 14, with detailed briefings and escape kits for the airmen.

The Raid

The carriers began launching their aircraft shortly after midnight on July 17, comprising 44 Barracudas, Corsairs, Hellcats, and Fireflies. The main striking force consisted of 44 Barracudas, armed with armor-piercing bombs, while Corsairs provided protection against German fighters and Hellcats and Fireflies suppressed anti-aircraft guns.

The Outcome

The aircraft formed up and flew to Kaafjord at 01:35, flying 50 feet above the sea until reaching a point ten minutes from the Norwegian coast. The British strike force was detected by German radar stations near Kaafjord at 02:00 on July 17, 1944. The German battleship Tirpitz began its protective smoke generators and anti-aircraft batteries fired at the incoming aircraft. Two Barracudas managed to spot the ship in the smokescreen and were attacked. However, most of the British aircraft were unable to find targets due to the thick smoke and were forced to aim at gun flashes. Seven near misses were achieved but no damage was inflicted on Tirpitz. One German Corsair was shot down, while several British aircraft were damaged during the raid.

The Aftermath

A second British raid was cancelled due to fog, but maritime patrol aircraft from No. 18 Group RAF prevented the German submarines from attacking the Home Fleet as it returned to Scapa Flow. A Consolidated B-24 Liberator and a Catalina flying boat detected and sank two German U-boats (U-361 and U-347). The Catalina managed to return to base after being attacked by German submarines and was awarded the Victoria Cross for this action.

Despite the failure of Operation Mascot, it was a crucial step in the ongoing battle against Tirpitz. The lessons learned from this raid would inform future operations and ultimately lead to the sinking of the battleship by Bomber Command on November 12, 1944. The fight for control of the Norwegian Sea continued until the very end of World War II.