T 06.00 hours on Saturday 24th May 1941, the Royal Navy was dealt one of its most shattering blows. The 42,000 ton battle-cruiser Hood was destroyed after an action lasting barely eight minutes with Bismarch, the largest and most modern battleship in service with the German Navy ...T 06.00 hours on Saturday 24th May 1941, the Royal Navy was dealt one of its most shattering blows. The 42,000 ton battle-cruiser Hood was destroyed after an action lasting barely eight minutes with Bismarch, the largest and most modern battleship in service with the German Navy.
Three days later, after the most celebrated sea chase of the Second World War, which involved no fewer than three British battleships, two battle cruisers, two aircraft carriers and nine cruisers, plus numerous destroyers, Bismarck was brought to bay, reduced to a blazing hulk and finally sunk. The career of the most feared German warship was terminated a mere nine months after she was commissioned.