Sinking the Bismarck: how half of the Royal Navy was needed to sink one little ship

When it comes to naval warfare, few stories are as captivating as the hunt and eventual sinking of the German battleship Bismarck. This colossal vessel, a symbol of Nazi Germany’s military might, was the target of a relentless pursuit by the British Royal Navy during World War II. The chase culminated in a dramatic showdown that saw half of the Royal Navy deployed to sink this one “little” ship. This article delves into the details of this historic event, exploring the reasons behind the massive naval deployment and the strategic implications of the Bismarck’s sinking.

The Bismarck: A Brief Overview

The Bismarck was no ordinary ship. Launched in 1939, it was one of the largest battleships ever built by Germany and one of the largest in the world at the time. With a length of 251 meters, a beam of 36 meters, and a displacement of over 50,000 tons, the Bismarck was a formidable force on the high seas. Its armament included eight 15-inch guns, capable of firing shells over 30 kilometers, and a host of secondary weapons. The ship was also heavily armored and could reach speeds of up to 30 knots, making it a significant threat to Allied shipping.

The Hunt for the Bismarck

The Bismarck’s mission up to May 41 was to exist as a fleet-in-being. Laid up in her home port, the pure existence of the mighty battleship forced the allies to bolster their overall defensive posture everywhere at sea, as Bismarck could strike anywhere out of the blue.

And strike it would: the ship, along with the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, was tasked with breaking into the Atlantic to attack Allied convoys in OPERATION RHEINÜBUNG.

However, British intelligence intercepted German communications and alerted the Royal Navy to the Bismarck’s mission.

The British response was swift and massive. The Royal Navy deployed a significant portion of its fleet, including the battleships HMS King George V and HMS Prince of Wales, the battlecruisers HMS Hood and HMS Repulse, and a host of other cruisers and destroyers. The aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal was also dispatched, marking one of the first instances of carrier-based aircraft being used in a naval engagement.

The Battle of the Denmark Strait

The first engagement between the Bismarck and the Royal Navy took place in the Denmark Strait, a narrow body of water between Greenland and Iceland. The British battlecruiser HMS Hood and the battleship HMS Prince of Wales engaged the Bismarck and the Prinz Eugen. A flash illuminates the sky: HMS Hood is hit in her ammunition magazine by shells from the Bismarck and explodes, sinking with the loss of all but three of her crew!

The sinking of the Hood is a significant blow to the Royal Navy and the British public. The ‘Mighty” Hood, being used as a peace-time diplomacy tool visiting the world’s ports, was one of the most famous ships in the world, and its loss was a stark reminder of the power of the Bismarck.

The Royal Navy redoubled its efforts to sink the German battleship, leading to one of the largest naval hunts in history.

The Final Showdown

After the Battle of the Denmark Strait, the Bismarck managed to evade its pursuers for several days. However, a lucky strike from an aircraft launched from the HMS Ark Royal jammed the Bismarck’s rudder, making it impossible for the ship to steer, circling its way through the waves. This allowed the Royal Navy to catch up with the Bismarck and engage it in a final showdown.

The Bismarck was surrounded by a fleet of British warships, including the battleships HMS King George V and HMS Rodney. After a fierce battle, the Bismarck was finally sunk on May 27, 1941.

Why Did It Take Half the Royal Navy to Sink the Bismarck?

The Bismarck was a formidable adversary, but why did it take such a large portion of the Royal Navy to sink it? The answer lies in the Bismarck’s design and the strategic importance of its mission.

The Bismarck was heavily armored and armed, making it a tough nut to crack. Its speed and maneuverability also made it difficult to pin down. Furthermore, the Bismarck’s mission to disrupt Allied shipping was a significant threat to the British war effort. The Royal Navy had to stop the Bismarck at all costs, hence the massive deployment of ships.

Conclusion: The Legacy of the Bismarck

The sinking of the Bismarck was a pivotal moment in World War II. It marked a significant victory for the Royal Navy and boosted morale among the Allies. The event also highlighted the importance of naval power and the role of aircraft carriers in modern warfare.

However, the sinking of the Bismarck also came at a high cost. The loss of the HMS Hood and the significant resources deployed to sink the Bismarck underscored the challenges faced by the Royal Navy during the war by the numerically inferior, but well equipped German Navy. Nevertheless, the story of the Bismarck remains a testament to the determination and resilience of the Royal Navy in the face of adversity – and the courage and steely-eyedness of the Kriegsmarine in trying to overcome it.