The Bismarck 1941: Hunting Germany’s greatest battleship (Campaign Book 232)

The breakout of the German battleship Bismarck into the North Atlantic in May 1941 was one of the most dramatic naval episodes of World War II (1939-1945). It took place at a time when the resources of the Royal Navy were stretched thinly, and the British Home Fleet were hard pressed to counter this powerful German warship, which was vaunted as the most powerful battleship in the world. For nine days she became the most sought-after vessel afloat, as the Home Fleet and Force H, based in Gibraltar, combed the seas in search of her. After days of fruitless searching, the lone German warship was spotted by a reconnaissance aircraft some 300 miles to the south-west of Ireland. Admiral Tovey, who commanded the Home Fleet from his flagship HMS Rodney ordered his warships to intercept her, and a great naval race began, with the Bismarck speeding towards the safety of the French ports, and the British doing their utmost to stop her. Despite overwhelming odds, with most Home Fleet craft too far away to intercept the German ship's flight to France, the Royal Navy ultimately managed to locate, damage and ultimately sink the great German battleship. In this new addition to Osprey's Campaign series, author Angus Konstam sheds new light on this race-to-the-finish, detailing the original plans, the British efforts to locate and damage the Bismarck, the Bismarck's extensive armor systems and her ultimate defeat in a highly illustrated format. A highly illustrated account of the hunt for the Bismarck.The break of the German battleship Bismarck into the North Atlantic in May 1941 was one of the most dramatic episodes of World War II. It began with a battle between the Bismarck and the British battleship Prince of Wales and the heavy cruiser Hood. The Hood was blown to pieces, while the battered Prince of Wales managed to escape. The British then focused all of their resources on hunting the mighty German battleship and eventually brought her down.Supported by birds'-eye-view maps and archive photography, this volume recounts the fight in detail. Søkrigsførelse 2. Verdenskrig. Om sænkningen af det tyske slagskib Bismarck, der bl.a. blev anvendt til at sænke handelsskibe, der sejlede i konvoj over Atlanterhavet med materiel m.v. til Storbritannien. Bismarck blev sænket af den britiske flåde 27 maj 1941 i Atlanterhavet vest for Brest i det nordvestlige Frankrig (Bretagne) Cover; Title; Contents; Introduction; Chronology; Origins of the Campaign; Opposing Commanders; Opposing Fleets; Opposing Plans; The Campaign; Aftermath; The Shipwreck; Bibliography; Related Titles; Imprint