Fairey Barracuda, part six

During July 1943 the Barracuda saw action for the first time with the 810 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) aboard HMS Illustrious (87) off the Norwegian coast. Shortly later, the squadron was re-assigned to the Mediterranean to provide support for the landings at Salerno, in Italy, which was a critical position for the Allied Invasion of Italy.
Considering that the Barracuda was the only aircraft in service with the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) that was stressed in dive bombing after the retirement of the Blackburn Skua, the Barracuda took part in the Operation Tungsten, which was an attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz when it was moored in Kafjord, Alta, Norway. On 3rd April 1944 forty-two aircraft were dispatched from HMS Victorious (R38) and HMS Furious (47) to strike on the German Battleships. The Barracudas managed to score 14 direct hits on the Tirpitz using a combination of 1600 lb (730 kg) and 500 lb (230 kg) for the loss of just one airplane. The attack damaged the Tirpitz killing 122 of her crew and injuring 316 and disabling the ship for over two months. However, the slow speed of the Barracudas, contributed to the failure of both Operations Mascot and Goodwood, which were attacks on the Tirpitz in July and August that same year.

Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Barracuda
2. https://www.valka.cz/Fairey-Barracuda-Mk-II-t8638
3. Hall Park Books - Warpaint 35 - Fairey Barracuda