The Bismarck, named after Otto von Bismarck the nineteenth century chancellor, was meant to have been the prototype vessel for other ships under Hitler's so called 'Plan Z,' which was the name assigned to the re-equipping of Germany’s naval force. The plan was to create a force that would rival Britain’s Royal Navy. When completed, the fleet would boast over three hundred and eighty vessels, including ten battleships, four aircraft carriers and three battlecruisers. The plan was set for completion by 1945 but the outbreak of World War II meant Plan Z was shelved and Bismarck was instead used for commerce raiding; a method used by a weaker naval force against a stronger by destroying the enemy's supplies at sea.
Germany Launch Operation Rheinübung
During both world wars, Britain relied heavily on the shipping of food and other materials to the country and therefore the protection of convoys was placed under the highest priority. Germany knew that if they could severe the lifeline, Britain would be demoralised and eventually defeated. Therefore Bismarck’s plan was simple; destroy as much enemy shipping as possible. In May 1941 Operation Rheinübung began. The Bismarck, under the command of Admiral Gunthur Lutjens left the port of Gotenhafen, (now modern day Gynia), accompanied by the Prinz Eugen and headed first for Scandinavia. From there, it would travel across the Arctic and through the Straits of Denmark, the area of sea between Iceland and Greenland. From there it would breakout into the Atlantic to carry out its mission.
Bismarck Is Spotted By Swedish Airforce
Using Enigma code messages, British intelligence had discovered German air surveillance around the Straits of Denmark and of the Royal Navy base at Scapa Flow on the north eastern tip of Scotland. They were also aware that the Bismarck had received maps of the Atlantic. In response to this, the British sent radar ships to patrol the Straits, but kept behind other ships capable of battle as they were unequipped to refuel at sea; the British wanted a confirmed sighting of the Bismarck before deploying the vessels. On 20tH May 1941, The Gotland, a Swedish seaplane cruiser, spotted and tracked the German fleet. A Norwegian officer, based in Stockholm learned of this intelligence and alerted the British. In the early hours of 21st May, the British ordered air reconnaissance of the Norwegian coast.
British Spitfire Confirm Bismarck Heading For Atlantic
Later that day, a British spitfire photographed the Bismarck as it docked at Bergens, Norway. With the evidence before them, the battleships HMS Hood and Prince of Wales were deployed. This stop marked a critical error for the Bismarck. While the Prinz Eugen refuelled in Bergens, Bismarck did not with the admiral knowing an oil tanker waited for them in the Arctic. Furthermore, the stop in Bergens had left them exposed to British air surveillance.
Bismarck Leaves Bergens for the Arctic
On the evening of May 21st, the Bismarck set sail for the Arctic and the straits of Denmark, the passageway between Greenland and Iceland. It would be the point in which the ship would breakout into the Atlantic to destroy any convoys to Britain. The journey north was uneventful and the two ships had remained undetected by the British fleet, which were too far south to pick them up. British air reconnaissance had discovered Bismarck had left Bergens and the British immediately ordered the battle fleet to sea, while a battle squadron already en route to Iceland was ordered to cover the Straits of Denmark.
Bismarck Is Detected
The British cruisers Norfolk and Suffolk had been patrolling the straits, waiting for the expected German breakout into the Atlantic and detected them on the evening of May 23rd. The two fleets opened fire but the British ships, knowing the Germans had superior firepower, retreated to a safe distance but shadowed the German fleet. The Norfolk had a lucky escape during the skirmish when a shell bounced off the water and struck the bridge. Fortunately, the shell failed to explode and no casualties were reported. During the battle, a recoil from the large guns on the Bismarck resulted in a radar malfunction. Admiral Lutjens ordered the Prinz Eugen to move forward to give radar capability. Little did Lutjens know that this move was to prove a useful tactic against the advancing British fleet in the inevitable Battle Of Denmark Straits.
Sources: Various WWII books and Internet sites
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