On May 18th, the new German 15inch gunned battleship Bismarck and heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen sailed for the Atlantic via Norway. Two of the British Home Fleet's major warships , Hood and Prince of Wales sailed from Scapa Flow towards Iceland to intercept them. On the morning of the 24th the big ships meet and open fire. Around 06.00 AM, after firing five salvos, shells from Bismarck hit Hood amidships, penetrating the ship's armour and detonating Hood's rear ammunition magazine. The resulting explosion tore the Hood in half. In seconds the entire battle cruiser has slipped beneath the waves. There were only three survivors. After suffering several hits Prince of Wales turns away but not before damaging Bismarck. The German ships have won the first battle.

Two British cruisers continue to track Bismarck, hoping to lead the main British fleet to her. On the evening of May 26th 15 Swordfish torpedo bombers from the British aircraft carrier Ark Royal attack Bismarck and torpedo her twice. One hit damages her propellers and jams the rudder. As Bismarck circles, British destroyers make a series of torpedo and gun attacks around midnight.

On the morning of May 27th - British battleships King George V and Rodney open fire on the Bismarck around 08.45AM. The German ship is hit repeatedly and her main guns are put out of action. By 10.15 AM she is a blazing wreck. The cruiser Dorsetshire, fires a spread of torpedoes to finish her off. There are only 200 survivors. The Hood has been avenged! The British Navy has sunk Germany's greatest warship!