Operation Catechism: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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''Tirpitz''{{'}}s defences were improved after Operation Obviate. Additional anti-aircraft guns were emplaced in the Tromsø area and torpedo nets were laid around the battleship.{{sfn|Konstam|2018|p=82}} These augmented the protection offered by the anti-aircraft ships [[HNoMS Tordenskjold|''Nymphe'']] and [[HNoMS Harald Haarfagre|''Thetis'']] and several anti-aircraft batteries on the shore.{{sfn|Konstam|2018|p=79}} [[Dredging]] operations to reduce the water level below the battleship's hull began on 1 November. By 12 November these were half complete.{{sfn|Sweetman|2000|p=137}} The smoke generators that had previously protected ''Tirpitz'' at Kaafjord were still being installed at the time of Operation Catechism and were not yet operational. In their place, seven fishing boats fitted with smoke generators were positioned near the battleship; these were not capable of generating a smokescreen that could completely cover ''Tirpitz''.{{sfn|Forsgren|2014|p=126}}

The battleship's crew continued regular training exercises, and remained concerned about further air attacks.{{sfn|Forsgren|2014|p=124}} On 4 November ''Tirpitz''{{'}}s commanding officer Captain [[Wolf Junge]] departed. He was replaced by the executive officer, Captain [[:de:Robert_Weber_(Marineoffizier)|Robert Weber]].{{sfn|Bishop|2012|p=350}} Weber believed that within three weeks the days would be short enough to prevent further air attacks.{{sfn|Konstam|2018|p=82}} On 12 November around 1,700 men were on board ''Tirpitz''.{{sfn|Knowles|2018|p=270}}

A force of 38 fighters was transferred to [[Bardufoss]] after Operation Obviate to bolster the Tromsø region's air defences.{{sfn|Forsgren|2014|p=122}} These aircraft formed part of [[Jagdgeschwader 5]] (JG 5), and were under the temporary command of Major [[Heinrich Ehrler]]. The unit had been evacuated from [[Kirkenes]] in the far northeastern region of Norway as Soviet forces [[Petsamo–Kirkenes Offensive|advanced towards the town]], and was disorganised at the time of Operation Catechism.{{sfn|Zetterling|Tamelander|2009|p=307}} Most of the pilots at Bardufoss were inexperienced and ill-trained, and the unit had not been properly briefed on ''Tirpitz''{{'}}s presence in the area. Ehrler arrived at Bardufoss on 9 November en route to [[Alta (town)|Alta]], and decided to remain there until the morning of 12 November to oversee an emergency training programme for the fighter pilots.{{sfn|Forsgren|2014|p=126}}