German Battleship Bismarck (Wreck)

Ireland / Kerry / Cahirciveen /
 Second World War 1939-1945, shipwreck, battleship
German Battleship Bismarck was the biggest, heaviest, and strongest battleship in the Europe as it was launched in 14 February, 1939. Bismarck hold its record until 27 May, 1941 when it sunk after attacked by British forces.

On the evening of 23 May, Bismarck and heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen steaming north near the northeast of British home island, German force was detected by the radar-equipped heavy cruisers HMS Suffolk and HMS Norfolk. The British heavy cruisers were then reported to their headquarter that they detected German forces. King George V-class battleship, HMS Prince of Wales, and the battlecruiser HMS Hood were sent out to intercept them.
On Saturday 24 May, the German force was steaming west near the southeast of Greenland. Prinz Eugen's hydrophones detected the presence of two additional ships some distance to port. It turned out to be a British battle-group comprising the battleship HMS Prince of Wales, and the battlecruiser HMS Hood.
Just after 10 minutes of battle with the British battle-group,fire from HMS Hood reached its back ammo-hold, causing an explosion that sank the ship. 1428 crew of HMS Hood dead while 9 survived. Battleship HMS Prince of Wales turned away and went back to its base.
During the early evening of 24 May, an attack was made by a small group of Swordfish biplane torpedo bombers from the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious. One of the Swordfish plane torpedo hit the left portside of the ship causing one crew on board killed. Bismarck turned away to avoid from detected by British forces.
In a final attack, almost in darkness at 21:05, a single torpedo from the Swordfish hit Bismarck rudder. It caused DKM Bismarck rudder to fail.This resulted Bismarck able to only steam in a large circle,

On the morning of Tuesday 27 May 1941 the British sighted Bismarck. Battleship HMS King George V and battleship HMS Rodney together with heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk and HMS Dorsetshire opened fire on Bismarck.
Bismarck guns fired at HMS Rodney, HMS King George V, HMS Norfolk, and HMS Dorsetshire,
At approximately 09.30, just half hours after the last battle of Bismarck, Bismarck's guns turn silent.
That morning, Bismarck sank. 110 survivors floating on the water were captured by the British ships.Next morning, a German U-boat pick up 5 more survivors. 2,200 Bismarck crew dead.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_battleship_Bismarck
Coordinates:   48°9'39"N   16°12'17"W

Comments

  • This may be the sinking position as it was plotted
  • Very interesting information
  • Removed "DKM" prefix. After WWI German naval ships have no prefix. (No "DKM" and no "FGS" or whatever).
  • can i get a list of the hms norfolk crew
  • I AM CHAIRMAN OF THE RVA VETERANS ASSOCIATION.ONE NEW MEMBER SERVED ON THE HMS NORFOLK.HE IS NOW IN HIS NINTIES,ARE THERE ANYOTHER HMS NORFOLK CREWS?
  • I hate hitler
  • My father - Midshipman Brian Barrow - was on HMS Suffolk during the battle of the Denmark strait and this obviously led to me being very interested in all things naval and including Bismarck, of course. He lived a long life after the war and told me often of tales of adventure on the high seas (he went on to the russian convoys amongst other things). My curiosity, admiration and gratitude for the bravery of the young men who fought at sea - on both sides - will never wane and i would like to extend my condolences to anyone who lost a family member or loved one at sea. In an ever more troubled world we need to remember what can happen and how much needless suffering and loss of life was had through 1939-1945, and in wars since or current.
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This article was last modified 5 years ago