This painting forms part of Norman Wilkinson's ‘War at Sea’ series, a set of 54 paintings depicting the work of the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy and RAF Coastal Command, which was exhibited at the National Gallery in 1944, before being presented to the nation. (previous WAAC number is LD 4307).
Following the damage caused by British midget submarines in September 1943, the Admiralty decided that further attacks should be made on the German battleship 'Tirpitz'. This was to ensure that it could not threaten the northern convoys of the Allied forces. Under the code name 'Tungsten', 21 Barracuda bombers, part of the Fleet Air Arm, and 40 fighter planes were launched to attack the 'Tirpitz' which was stationed in Altenfjord, Norway. When Russian convoy JW58 sailed, it was accompanied by the fleet carriers 'Victorious' and 'Furious', each carrying the Barracudas together with the escort carriers 'Emperor', 'Searcher' and 'Pursuer', carrying Hellcat and Wildcat fighters.