As the bombers approached Tirpitz the sun was coming up but thick cloud hampered visibility, and again the ships smoke generators quickly added to the problem. Several crews hastily bombed, but results were again scattered and inconclusive. Despite this several bomb aimers reported seeing a near miss on the starboard stern with brown smoke pouring from the same area following the explosion. As the attack progressed visibility was negligible, with several crews having to make numerous runs and several not bombing at all. Once again the Tirpitz remained afloat. Again reconnaissance photographs appeared to show little damage, again they were misleading. The underwater explosion, seen at the stern, damaged the port rudder and screw shaft and caused some flooding. Following the attack, the ship's anchorage was significantly improved. A large sand bank was constructed under and around the ship to prevent her from capsizing and anti-torpedo nets were installed. Tirpitz retained a list to port from the earlier attack, this could have been corrected by counter-flooding, but this was not done, to retain as much reserve buoyancy as possible. Another strike 'Operation Catechism' was ordered for November 4th, but this was delayed due to bad weather, which did not improve untill the 11th. Thirty two Lancasters of No 617 and No 9 Sq refuelled at Lossiemouth and set off in the early hours of the 12th. The weather was bright and clear as the force began 'running in' over the Swedish border. Approaching the target at just before 08:30 am, Tirpitz was very visible,German fighter aircraft were scrambled in plenty of time, but directed to the wrong location, Tirpitz was at the mercy of the RAF. 29 Tallboys were dropped, with two direct hits and one near miss.Several other bombs landed within the anti-torpedo net barrier and caused significant cratering of the seabed; this displaced much of the sandbank that had been constructed to prevent the ship from capsizing. One bomb penetrated the ship's deck between turrets Anton and Bruno but failed to explode. A second hit amidships between the aircraft catapult and the funnel and caused severe damage. A very large hole was blown into the ship's side and bottom; the entire section of belt armour abreast of the bomb hit was completely destroyed. A third bomb may have struck the ship on the port side of turret Caesar.The amidships hit caused significant flooding and quickly increased the port list to between 15 and 20 degrees, the Captain issued the order to abandon ship. Progressive flooding increased the list to 60 degrees by 08:50, though this appeared to stabilize temporarily. Eight minutes later, a massive explosion rocked turret Caesar. The turret roof and part of the rotating structure were thrown 80ft into the air and onto a group of men swimming to shore.As the last bomb fell the leviathan lurched in the water and capsized.The Tirpitz threat was finally over. Although several crews landed at Lossiemouth through low fuel, most were able to fly straight to Woodhall Spa, where they were greeted by jubilant groundcrews.The Band of the Border Regiment was hastily assembled and played the RAF March Past and other rousing tunes as the aircraft taxied in.The scene over the next few days was reminiscent of the period following the Dams Raid, with crews posing for official photographs next to their planes.Tait flew to London for radio and press interviews.His face appeared on front pages under the banner headline 'Tirpitz Taite'.A squadron lunch with the Secretary of State for Air, Sir Archibald Sinclair was followed by a very welcome 48hrs leave...