Operation Source

Overview

Operation Source was a series of attacks to neutralise the heavy German warships – Tirpitz, Scharnhorst, and Lützow – based in northern Norway, using X-class midget submarines.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

Operation Source targeted the concentration of German capital ships — Tirpitz, Scharnhorst, and Lützow — based in northern Norway. These vessels posed a persistent threat to Allied convoys running to the Soviet Union and tied down substantial British naval resources as a containment measure. Neutralizing or disabling them would relieve pressure on convoy escort planning and free surface units for other theaters. The operation reflected British commitment to removing the 'fleet in being' threat that German heavy ships represented in Norwegian fjords without risking a surface engagement.

Tactics

Commanders (4)