From the Admiralty at 2025 24 May, there went out a signal summarising the situation at 1800/24. The position, course and speed of the enemy were given as 59° 10’ N., 36° W., 180°, 24 knots with the Norfolk, Suffolk and Prince of Wales still in touch. The Commander-in-Chief’s estimated position at 1800/24 was 58° N. 30° W. with the King George V, Repulse and Victorious and 2nd Cruiser Squadron.20 The London21 in 42° 50’.N., 20° 10’ W. had been ordered to leave her convoy, and close the enemy. The Ramillies in estimated position 45° 45’ N., 35° 40’ W. had been ordered to place herself westward of the enemy.
The Manchester, Birmingham and Arethusa were returning from their position north-east of Iceland to fuel.
The Revenge had left Halifax22 and was joining HX128. The Edinburgh23 in approximate position 45° 15’ N., 25° 10’ W., had been ordered to close and take over stand by shadower.
Altogether, without counting destroyers, some 19 ships (3 battleships, 2 battlecruisers, 12 cruisers, 2 aircraft carriers) were on the move.
Signal sent from Bismarck to Group West
2056/24 Impossible to shake off enemy owing to Radar. Proceeding directly to Brest owing to fuel situation. Fleet Commander
Signal sent to Bismarck from Group West
1504/24 1) English unit K3G made tactical signal at 1223 from appr. position 62 00N, 00W. 2) A/c reports 0825: Sighted 12 merchant ships, 4 destroyers, 030°, 8 knots. Visibility 10 sea miles. Position 56 35N, 14 45W. Position is not exact. Group West
Signal sent from Bismarck to Group West
1508/24 Hood annihilated within 5 minutes by gunfire this morning at 0600. King George V turned off after being hit. Fleet Commander
20. The Victorious and 2nd C.S. had parted company from the Commander-in-Chief at 1509/24.
21. The London had previously been escorting Arundel Castle from Gibraltar.
22. Left Halifax 1505/24. H X 128 (44 ships) at 0800/24 was in 42° 54’ N., 50° 8’ W., steaming 95° 6J knots.
23. The Edinburgh (18th C.S.) left Scapa on 18 May to patrol between 44° N. and 46° N. for enemy merchant ships. She had intercepted German S.S. Lechs on 22 May