8 September 1943 - The German battleships Tirpitz and Scharnhorst launched a raid on the Allied-occupied Svalbard Archipelago in the Arctic. This operation, codenamed Zitronella, aimed to disrupt the Allies’ infrastructure and resources in the region while showcasing the remaining power of Germany’s surface fleet. The raid was one of the few occasions where the Tirpitz—the heaviest battleship ever built by a European navy—was used in an offensive role during World War II. Often referred to as the "Lonely Queen of the North," the Tirpitz spent much of the war as a strategic threat, being primarily stationed in Norwegian fjords to counter any potential Allied naval movements.
About the Relic & ProcessThe relic fragment included with this canvas originates from an aluminum duct piece recovered from the German Battleship Tirpitz. This item along with many others, were recovered in June 1974 by the British Sub-Aqua Club, an organization known for conducting historical and archaeological dives. The expedition's primary goal was to locate remnants of the X-5 midget submarine, one of six X-Craft used in the daring 1943 attack on the Tirpitz. Although the X-5 was not discovered during this mission, divers uncovered parts of the X-7 submarine, another participant in the attack, along with various relics from the Tirpitz itself.
This item is handmade by artist, Craig Tinder. Available to ship worldwide!
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