World War II: Bismarck Sunk!

May 27, 1941 - After a five day chase across the North Atlantic, British naval forces sink the German battleship Bismarck (left). Constructed at Hamburg, Bismarck was intended to be used as a commerce raider by the Kriegsmarine. With its eight 15" guns, the battleship had the potential to wreak havoc on the convoys supplying the British war effort. Departing Bergen, Norway on May 22, with its consort, the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, Bismarck headed northwest, intending to sail above Iceland and then south through the Denmark Strait into the shipping lanes. As they emerged from the straight on May 24, they were intercepted by the battleship HMS Prince of Wales and the battlecruiser HMS Hood. In an engagement barely lasting ten minutes, Hood was sunk and Prince of Wales was forced to retreat.

In the battle Bismarck was hit rupturing a fuel tank. Unable to continue with his mission, Adm. Günther Lütjens ordered Prinz Eugen to continue on while he turned Bismarck towards France for repairs. On May 26, the battleship was attacked by Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers flying from HMS Ark Royal. One Swordfish scored a vital hit, jamming Bismarck's rudder. Forced to steam in large circles and unable to maneuver, Lütjens prepared for the ship's final battle. On the morning of the 27th, the battleships HMS King George V and HMS Rodney, supported by cruisers and destroyers, sighted Bismarck and opened fire. After 30 minutes the German ship was reduced to a smoking hulk. With its guns out of action and most of the officers dead, Bismarck's crew scuttled the ship to prevent it from being captured. Only 115 of the ship's 2,092-man crew were rescued.

Photograph Courtesy of the US Naval Historical Center