Battle point time sink1/27/2024 VADM Holland signalled to the destroyers "If you are unable to maintain this speed, I will have to go on without you. As the speed increased, the destroyers struggled to maintain station in the heavy seas. It is evident that VADM Holland was hoping that Norfolk and Suffolk would engage Prinz Eugen whilst the two British capital ships fired on Bismarck, though this was evidently never communicated to them.īy 2054 hours, Hood’s force was proceeding at 27 knots on a heading of 295º. This would would silhouette the Germans against the morning sky and considerably ease range finding for the British. The second choice was for Holland’s ships to cross the German squadron’s path well ahead, then swing around and approach from the west. Of course, such a move could be easily countered.ī. This would allow all the British guns to bear on the German ships whilst the enemy would only be able to fire at the British squadron with their forward guns. The first option was to cross the Germans’ "T" - i.e., cut across their bows on a westward course whilst they headed south. Holland’s battle plan at this point appears to have been for Hood and Prince of Wales to engage Bismarck in one of two fashions:Ī. Plots put the Germans approximately 300 miles to the north of Holland’s force. This was followed-up by a report from Norfolk at 2040 hours. Shortly thereafter, at 2004 hours, he had the news he had been waiting for: Suffolk had positively sighted Bismarck and its consort in the Denmark Strait. Shortly before this, at 1939 hours, Vice-Admiral Holland ordered his vessels to raise steam for full speed and to change course to 295º. Part 1 - Introduction & Background / Part 2 - Fighting Bismarck / Part 3 - Conclusion & Sourcesīy 2000 hours, Hood’s force was at 63✢0N' 27✠0'W.
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