What if Battleship Tirpitz ...

Leaving aside the question of whether Tirpitz could, should or might have accompanied Bismarck.

What if Tirpitz accompanies Bismarck and Prinz Eugen on a part of their journey, maybe into the Skagerrak. Tovey is led to believe that both Battleships will attempt to break out.

What will Toveys dispositions be in such a timeline - in the OTL he divided his forces to cover the Iceland Faroes Passage and The Denmark Strait, he can't do that and have gun superiority as in the OTL.

Does he cover the most likely breakout route - The Iceland Faroes Passage - so allowing Bismarck and Prinz Eugen a clear passage into the Atlantic ?.

He likely still has scouting forces in the The Denmark Strait, will the British Destroyers launch suicidal attacks, attempting to ram Bismarck.
 
I read that Captain Topp of Tirpitz begged to participate in the mission but was refused permission.
As for your qustion, I was under the impression the Denmark strait was the most likely route. Scharnhorst and Gneisnau went that way, earlier in '41. There was a good reason--avoid RAF bases.
 
Tovey Places his forces to the west-south-west of Iceland in one force rather than splitting them - as he no longer has the ability to place 2 forces 'greater' than the German force on each side of Iceland

KGV, POW, Hood, Rodney (?) Formidable + Escorting forces

Get Force H (Ark Royal, Renown, Sheffield) to move North from Gib to patrol North West of Ireland as soon as the Breakout attempt is discovered and as many units as possible to close with Toveys force at best speed

Add more Crusiers to patrol the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap to provide even better early warning

When the main course has been identified this main Home fleet force moves to engage using a more combined force style of tactics with as many vessels as he can bring to bear and if possible engage in a night action.
 
You mean KGV, POW, Hood, Repulse, and Victorious + escorts. Rodney's on the other side of the Atlantic at this time.
 
You mean KGV, POW, Hood, Repulse, and Victorious + escorts. Rodney's on the other side of the Atlantic at this time.

Well yes OTL she was on her way to Boston for a refit and overhaul of her machinery (you know what with the USA being neutral and all - cheers again West Ponders) we can assume that in this TL with Tirpitz added to the mix she receives earlier orders to turn back before the 24th May (OTL she received orders only after Hood was sunk) or before she even leaves for the US (say 20th/21st May as the German ships are spotted passing through the Skagerrak) and joins Tovey's force in time for the big party at Denmark Straits.

Forgot about HMS Repair ;)
 
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