Fact Slap ๐
Fact Slap ๐
Today in 1941, Bismarck’s luck has run out, with the damage to her rudder from last night’s torpedo attack she is stuck sailing in circles. Throughout the night, RN destroyers have harassed her with torpedos, and star shells.
The Royal Navy closed in on her from three sides and engaged with full force of broadsides and torpedos. 1 Aircraft Carrier, 2 Battleships, 1 Battlecruiser, 2 Heavy cruisers, 1 Light Cruiser and 8 Destroyers are circling in for the kill, although not all will get a chance to engage.
HMS RODNEY came so close towards the end she was almost firing at point blank range (3000 yards, remember Rodney had 16inch main guns)
Rodney’s log book states she engaged with torpedos and scored a hit. This makes her the only Battleship to ever torpedo another.
It’s still not known if the RN sunk her or the crew scuttled her, either way it was one of the last great fleet actions and big gun fights the RN would ever have.
Due to the U-boat threat, the RN quickly turned away and retuned to port, HMS DORSETSHIRE did sail to the site of the sinking but withdrew due to her SONAR picking up what was thought to be a U-BOAT but was probably the wreck sinking below.
Of the 2,200 crew aboard only 114 men were plucked from the rough Atlantic swells.
Picture shows HMS RODNEY moving in for the kill. The smoke on the horizon is the burning wreck of BISMARCK.
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