Bismarck Alters Course to 180°

In the low state of visibility, the Norfolk and Suffolk had to be constantly on the alert to guard against the enemy falling back and attacking them. About 1320/24, the Bismarck and Prinz Eugen altered course to the south and reduced speed. The Norfolk sighted them through the rain only 8 miles off, bearing 223°, and had to turn quickly away under cover of a smoke screen.

It was 1530 when the Norfolk received a signal made by the Commander-in-Chief at 0800 giving his position at 0800/2416, from which it was estimated that the Commander-in-Chief would be within range of the enemy about 0100/25. This was in fact, however, much in advance of the actual movements of the Commander-in-Chief, though it was not till 0100/25 that the Norfolk received the Commander-in-Chief’s later signal of 2156/24 stating that he hoped to engage about 0900/25.

In the co-ordination of these widespread movements aircraft played a continuous and important part. At 1535/24 a Catalina,17 in sight from the Norfolk, was able to supply her with a useful report of the position, namely that the Suffolk was 26 miles away and the Bismarck was 15 miles ahead with the Prinz Eugen ahead of her.

At the Admiralty the position was being watched with tense expectancy, and at 1545/24 Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker was asked to state (1) the remaining percentage of the Bismarck’s fighting efficiency; (2) what ammunition she had expended and (3) the reasons for her frequent alterations of course. He was also asked his intention as regards the Prince of Wales’ re-engaging and was told to keep a good lookout for U-boats.

To these questions he gave the following replies: (1) uncertain, but high; (2) about 100 rounds; (3) unaccountable except as an effort to shake the cruisers off. In reply to the last question he stated that he considered that the Prince of Wales should not re-engage until other heavy ships were in contact, unless interception failed; he considered it doubtful whether she had the speed to force an action.18 This reply made it clear that the Bismarck’s fighting power had not been materially diminished.

The afternoon drew on towards evening. Still the Bismarck and Prinz Eugen held on to the south while the Norfolk, Suffolk and Prince of Wales were still keeping her in sight.

At 1711/24, in order to delay the enemy if possible, by attacking him from astern, the Prince of Wales was stationed ahead of the Norfolk. The enemy was not in sight from the Norfolk at the time, but the argus-eyed Suffolk gave his bearing as 16 miles 152° while she herself bore from the Norfolk 12 miles 256°. At 1809/24 she was herself in sight from the Norfolk and was ordered to close to 5 miles. The Bismarck had drawn closer; she was apparently trying to waylay the Suffolk in the mist and, as the latter was making to the eastward, the Bismarck at 1841/24 opened fire; her salvoes fell short, but one or two shots came near enough to start rivets in the side plating of the cruiser aft. The Suffolk replied with nine broadsides before turning away behind a smoke screen.

The Norfolk seeing the Suffolk attacked altered course towards the enemy and she and the Prince of Wales opened fire,19 the latter firing 12 salvoes. The engagement was short and was over by 1856/24, but though no one was hit it was long enough for two of the Prince of Wales’ guns to go out of action again with mechanical defects. The enemy made no attempt to continue the fire, and Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker informed the Prince of Wales that till the Commander- in-Chief arrived, he did not intend to get closely engaged. After this brief interruption the chase pursued once again the tenor of its way, and as the cruisers were by this time entering an area where U-boats were reported to be operating, they started to zigzag.

Signal sent from Bismarck to Prinz Eugen

1440/24 Intend to shake off enemy as follows:

During rain showers Bismarck will move off on westerly course; Prinz Eugen to maintain course and speed until she is forced to alter course or 3 hours after leaving Bismarck. Following this she is to oil from Bellchen or Lothringen and afterwards to engage cruiser warfare independently. Executive on code word ‘Hood’. Fleet Commander

Signal sent from Bismarck to U-boats

1442/24 West boats collect in approx. position 54 10N, 42 10W at dawn. Am approaching from North. Intend to draw heavy units shadowing Bismarck through this area. Fleet Commander

16. My position 0800, 61° 17’ N., 22° 8’ W., closing you at 27 knots.

17. Apparently not sighted in Bismarck.

18. R.A.C.S. 1 to Admiralty 1619/24.

19. The Prince of Wales 1847/24; Norfolk 1853/24.