Tirpitz, Hitler's last battleship, weighing more than 50,000 tonnes, was the biggest warship built in Europe. The sister-ship Bismarck was sunk in May 1941, while Tirpitz was sent to Norway and was a serious threat against the Allied convoy routes to Russia. Huge resources were put in order to sink the ship. Nearly 700 aircraft participated in several attacks in the period 1942-44, two attacks with special submarines and manned torpedoes were carried out, and the most amazing plans were developed in order to destroy the ship. The Tirpitz did not sink a ship and only used its main guns once against an enemy target. However, with its mere and mighty presence, the battleship, tied up valuable resources and forces that the Allies needed elsewhere.
