The loss of the Hood increased the tensity of the situation. To watch for any attempt of the enemy to break back, the Manchester, Birmingham and Arethusa had been ordered at 0120/24 to take up a patrol north of Langanaes (N.E. point of Iceland). They were told to proceed there with all despatch.
The Rodney, which with four destroyers was escorting the Britannic westward, was ordered at 1022/24 to steer west on a closing course and if the Britannic could not keep up was to leave her with one destroyer. She was then some 550 miles south-east of the Bismarck. At 1200/24 in 55° 15’ N., 22° 25’ W., she left the Britannic with the Eskimo and proceeded with the Somali, Tartar and Mashona westward on a closing course. Two other capital ships were in the Atlantic – the Ramillies and Revenge. The Ramillies was escorting convoy HX127 from Halifax and was some 900 miles south of the Bismarck. She was ordered at 1144/24 to place herself to westward of the enemy and leaving her convoy at 1212/24 in 46° 25’ N., 35° 24’ W., she shaped course to the north.
The Revenge was ordered to leave Halifax15 and close the enemy. The Edinburgh, 18th Cruiser Squadron, patrolling in the Atlantic between 44° N. and 46° N. for German merchant shipping was ordered at 1250/24 to close and take on relief shadower. At 1430/24 she reported her position as 44° 17’ N., 23° 56’ W., proceeding 320° at 25 knots.
The Rear-Admiral 1st Cruiser Squadron was told to continue shadowing even if he ran short of fuel so as to bring the Commander- in-Chief into action.
These were the principal movements ordered during the forenoon of 24 May.
15. At 1917/24 ordered to overtake convoy HX128 from Halifax.