The First Ride great ride of the Bismark.
PoD Bismark bags Prince of Wales and is damaged in return enough for a return to Norway is needed and getting back to Port successfully what would this do to moral of the Royal Navy
Until POD details are taken off the Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_battleship_Bismarck#cite_note-Jackson_2002.2C_p._90-20
At 06:00 Hood, which was in the process of turning to port to bring her full weight of armament to bear on Bismarck,was hit amidships by at least one shell from Bismarck's fifth salvo at a distance of under nine miles (16,500 yards). Very shortly afterwards observers on both sides saw a huge jet of flame race skywards, followed by a rumbling explosion that split the huge ship in two. Splinters rained down on Prince of Wales, 400*yards (370*m) away. Hood's stern rose and sank shortly before the bow, all within three minutes. Admiral Holland and 1,415 crewmen went down with the ship. Only three men (Ted Briggs, Bob Tilburn, and Bill Dundas) survived. They were rescued about two and a half hours later by the destroyer Electra. The British Admiralty later concluded that the most likely explanation for the loss of Hood was a penetration of her magazines by a single 15-inch shell from Bismarck, causing the subsequent catastrophic explosion. Recent research by submersible craft suggests that the initial explosion could have been in the aft 4-inch magazine, followed by the aft 15″ magazine and that it may also have spread to the forward 15-inch magazines via the starboard side ammunition passage.
Prince of Wales had to turn towards the German fleet to avoid hitting the wreckage left by the flagship and was hit a number of times by gunfire from both German ships. Still, her own gunfire had caused damage to Bismarck. The British battleship turned away, laying smoke, her aft turret firing briefly under local control. She had received seven hits (three of them from Prinz Eugen) and mechanical failures had caused intermittent problems with her main guns and her aft turret jammed as it is,decided to taking a few moments more to turned away. Just a small pause by Captain John Leach is what needed to seal the fate of his ship as another Salvo from Bismark land 2 hits one hitting the Main belt near water line. The next one of those unlucky blows hitting the bow letting in some water,
This last hit is what is the problem as now Captain Leach is informed forward Bulkheads have been damaged and speed needs to be reduced or they will not hold. Cold shudder down his spine now facing 2 enemy warships with his one damaged. “ Well lads it is a fight ! “
Now Admiral Lütjens having sunk the Pride of the Royal Navy he had yet another Battleship now seeming in trouble being cautious man he might have not given chase to a Battleship under full steam yet he has a enemy wounded, The Battle continues
Prince of Wales is a very new ship in fact she still has 100 workman on board to complete work. Now as the battle moves on the better gunnery of the Germans is taking effect 2 salvos after the last hit not less the 3 hits strike the poor Prince of Wales worse hit taking out the twin B turret, Now it is Prince Eugens Turn as a hit from a Half Salvo get lucky hit on forward 5.25 twin turret causing a major fire.
The battle is not all one sided Prince of Wales has already caused damage to the Bismark, now she get a Lucky blow in taking out the Big ships 15” Y Turret , this will be her last revenge though as the Bismark's next salvo get in 2 more hits, Finaly after 25 minutes more action and no less that 17 15” hits and 15 x 8” gun hits Poor shinning new battleship of the Royal Navy has had enough Listing her guns silent Prince of Wales has a large wave crash over her bow only making 6 knots at this time she starts to go down bow first
As the cry of victory goes up Admiral Lütjens bows his head in respect, now having to decided on next action , He is now a hero of the German people now to get his ships home to reap the reward.
30 Minutes later this message is sent
At 08:01 Bismarck made the following transmission to Group North:[20]
Sections XIII-XIV. Electric plant No. 4 broken down. Port No. 2 boiler room is making water but can be held. Maximum speed 28 knots (52 km/h). Denmark Strait 50*nautical miles (93*km) wide. Floating mines. Two enemy radar sets recognised. Intention: to put into Saint-Nazaire.
This being intercepted by the British Radio intercepts so now they know general heading for the Germans
Yet a few minutes after this Admiral Lütjens gets a report saying fuel tank damage was worse than expected and leaking now and not sure of there is enough reserves if action is required to get to Saint-Nazaire, an new Message is sent saying Change of plan and would be trying to make it bacvk to Grimstadfjorden near Bergen in Norway as fuel situation Critical, still able to make good speed despite the much greater Fuel consumption Bismark retraces her path and head North away from the Mass of Force to the South
Confusion over Radio intercept and New Direction taken by the German ships will have some think the reverse of coarse is only temporary and will be doubling back South with the cover of Darkness
Now the Royal Navies blood is up in anger and recrimination, The Worse navy defeat in near History, In revenge Swordfish biplane torpedo bombers from 825 Naval Air Squadron of the aircraft carrier Victorious fly late in the evening as shadows are getting long an Attack is made and some revenge is made not on the Bismark that was seen too late but 2 hits strike the Heavy Cruiser Prince Eugene, After 20 minutes of Struggle the order is given to abandon ship. Almost half her crew will be recovered, Before Bismark makes best speed to head for home.
No the Royal Navy assets that have a Chance to get the Bismark is Is the King George V. Steaming with the Rodney is badly placed to help, Does the Navy Risk a one on one Battle with a ship that has sunk 2 Battle ships already, Despite best efforts contact is lost with the Bismark now making 20 knots in the night Naval Radar being in it's is not always totally reliable.
By some measure of luck and indecision on the Part of the British Bismak makes the coast of Norway and fighter cover on the 30th of May to a heroes welcome , 2 weeks after this a Victorious return to Kiel, The Great Battleship that has Destroyed 2 great Ships of the Royal Navy, Also welcome or the Noble survivors of the only no less Noble Prince Eugene.
Bismark returns and it is expected to need 60 Days to repair Battle Damage, Turning up next to her Sister Tirpitz. Now what would the Royal navy feel if Both these Juggernauts sail together.