Operation Zitronella - German Battleship Tirpitz Canvas | INCLUDES: Duct Piece

Maiden Farewell - RMS Titanic Nautical Art-Art Print-Aces In Action: The Workshop of Artist Craig Tinder

Operation Zitronella - German Battleship Tirpitz Canvas | INCLUDES: Duct Piece

$199.99

Print Sizes: A) Canvas WITH RELIC - 18" x 12" - ONLY 30

A) Canvas WITH RELIC - 18" x 12" - ONLY 30
*Canvas WITH RELIC - 18" x 12" WITH WOOD FRAME
B) Framed Canvas WITH RELIC - 30" x 20" - ONLY 20
C) Paper Print - 18" x 12" - NO RELIC
D) Paper Print - 24" x 16" - NO RELIC

Product variants

A) Canvas WITH RELIC - 18" x 12" - ONLY 30

$199.99

Description

"Operation Zitronella" by Artist Craig Tinder

This Limited Edition Fine Art Print autographed by Artist Craig Tinder depicts the "Lonely Queen of the North" - the German Battleship Tirpitz on her raid on the Svalbard Archipelago on 8 September 1943.

The Story Behind the Print:

8 September 1943 - The German battleships Tirpitz and Scharnhorst launched a raid on the Allied-occupied Svalbard Archipelago in the Arctic. This operation, codenamed Zitronella, aimed to disrupt the Allies’ infrastructure and resources in the region while showcasing the remaining power of Germany’s surface fleet. The raid was one of the few occasions where the Tirpitz—the heaviest battleship ever built by a European navy—was used in an offensive role during World War II. Often referred to as the "Lonely Queen of the North," the Tirpitz spent much of the war as a strategic threat, being primarily stationed in Norwegian fjords to counter any potential Allied naval movements.

The attack on Svalbard inflicted significant damage on the infrastructure, including the destruction of radio stations, weather outposts, and coal mines. The raid, however, was strategically minor and served more as a symbolic gesture of Germany’s ability to project naval power into the Arctic rather than a decisive military success. Despite the destruction caused, the Tirpitz and Scharnhorst returned to their Norwegian bases without engaging in major combat.

The Tirpitz’s presence in Norway had a notable psychological impact on Allied naval planning, tying up resources and attention throughout the war. However, this raid on Svalbard would be the only offensive operation the Tirpitz ever carried out, as it remained largely inactive for the remainder of the war. Eventually, the Tirpitz was sunk by RAF Lancaster bombers in November 1944, ending her reign as the "Lonely Queen of the North."

Visit the Journal to read the full story!

Commissioned by Museums, Treasured by Collectors

This item is handmade by artist, Craig Tinder. Available to ship worldwide!

About the Relic & Process

The relic fragment included with this canvas originates from an aluminum duct piece recovered from the German Battleship Tirpitz. This item along with many others, were recovered in June 1974 by the British Sub-Aqua Club, an organization known for conducting historical and archaeological dives. The expedition's primary goal was to locate remnants of the X-5 midget submarine, one of six X-Craft used in the daring 1943 attack on the Tirpitz. Although the X-5 was not discovered during this mission, divers uncovered parts of the X-7 submarine, another participant in the attack, along with various relics from the Tirpitz itself.Tirpitz relic - aluminum duct fragment included with "Operation Zitronella" canvas

Among the rare artifacts recovered from the site were crockery, bottles, galley items, and various pieces of ducting. The fragment included with this art print originates from a piece of ductwork believed to be near the galley or an area within close proximity. These remnants provide a tangible connection to the history of the Tirpitz, a battleship that was ultimately sunk on 12 November 1944 by RAF Lancaster bombers using 12,000-pound "Tallboy" bombs. The massive destruction caused the ship to capsize in a Norwegian fjord, where it remained until its gradual dismantling between 1948 and 1957.

Relics from 1974 Tirpitz recovery expedition, including: (L to R) food tin, can opener, and the aluminum duct work used in the limited edition art piece

Disclaimer

By purchasing from Aces In Action, you acknowledge that the product may vary slightly from the images on our website. We use authentic materials from military vehicles and relics, which may contain potentially hazardous substances. These items are not intended for ingestion, inhalation, or use by children. Aces In Action is an independent company, unaffiliated with or endorsed by any other organization. All names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification only, in accordance with the Lanham Act. Their use does not imply any official endorsement.