Sinking of the Bismarck
Survivors from the Bismarck are pulled aboard HMS Dorsetshire (40) on 27 May 1941.
Mappa dell'Operazione Rheinübung e delle operazioni della Royal Navy contro la nave da battaglia tedesca Bismarck
Map of the movements of the German (red) and British (yellow) ships during Operation Rheinübung, an attempted commerce raiding operation conducted by the battleship Bismarck in May 1941.
The German battleship Bismarck on fire in the distance, surrounded by shell splashes. The photo was taken from one of the Royal Navy warships chasing.
Gunnery plot of HMS Prince of Wales for the Battle of the Denmak Strait, 24 May 1941.
Absetzmanöver der Bismarck in der Nacht des 25. Mai 1941
The sinking German battleship Bismarck on fire in the distance, surrounded by shell splashes. The photo was taken from one of the Royal Navy warships chasing.
ADMIRAL SOMERVILLE VISITS HMS ARK ROYAL TO CONGRATULATE THE OFFICERS AND SHIP'S COMPANY AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE BISMARCK, OCTOBER 1941. Officers and ratings who were decorated for the part they played in the sinking of the BISMARCK, in front of a Fairey Swordfish aircraft. Left to right: Lieutenant P D Gick, RN, awarded DSC; Lieutenant Commander Eugene Esmonde, RN, awarded DSO; Sub Lieutenant V K Norfolk, RN, awarded DSC; A/PO Air L D Sayer awarded DSM; A/Ldg Air A L Johnson, awarded DSM.
Map of the Operation "Rheinübung" and Royal Navy operations against the German battleship Bismarck, with approximate movements of ship groups and places of aerial attacks. A similar map is depicted in "Müllenheim-Rechberg Freiherr von, Burkard (1980). Schlachtschiff Bismarck 1940/41—Der Bericht eines Überlebenden (in German). Berlin, Frankfurt/M, Wien: Ullstein. ISBN 3-550-07925-7" on page 76 tracing the paths of British and German vessels.
Rodney fires salvos at Bismarck.
The Royal Navy during the Second World War The Supermarine Walrus aircraft of HMS SUFFOLK being lowered into the water during the chase of the German battleship BISMARCK, which SUFFOLK spotted and shadowed. One of the aircraft's crew can be seen stood in the hatch at its front whilst two others can be seen in the cockpit.
The Royal Navy during the Second World War The BISMARCK seen in the distance from a Fairey Swordfish from the aircraft carrier HMS VICTORIOUS just before the torpedo attack.
Historical Overview
The last battle of the German battleship Bismarck took place in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 300 nautical miles west of Brest, France, on 26–27 May 1941 between the German battleship Bismarck and naval and air elements of the British Royal Navy. Although it was an action between capital ships, it has no generally accepted name. It represented the culmination of Operation Rheinübung where the attempt of the Bismarck and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen to disrupt the Atlantic convoys to the United Kingdom failed and resulted in the former's scuttling after battle damage rendered the Bismarck unable to fight back. The four British warships continued firing throughout the scuttling process, and most experts agree that the accumulated battle damage would have caused the Bismarck to sink eventually.
Quick Facts
Royal Navy
- Commander: John Tovey
- Strength: 2 Flotten
- Casualties: 1.415 (Hood)
German Navy
- Commander: Günther Lütjens †
- Strength: 2 Schiffe
- Casualties: 2.106 Tote
Strategic Context
End of the era of major German surface sorties.
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Historical Locations
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