HMS Victorious and 2nd Cruiser Squadron Detached

On 23 May the Commander-in-Chief had to consider the possibility of the Bismarck’s breaking back to Norway, but after the loss of the Hood this eventuality became less likely and the Commander-in-Chief proceeded on a more southerly course (260° at 0800 then 240° at 1050/24). There still remained, however, the risk of her escaping by superior speed, unless her speed could be reduced, by a torpedo attack. The only ship available was the Victorious. She had only just commissioned, her crews were inexperienced and having been on the point of starting for Gibraltar with a large consignment of crated Hurricanes to be flown to Malta, she had only nine Swordfish (Squadron 825) and six Fulmars (Squadron 802) available for a striking force. In view, however, of the urgency of the situation, the Commander-in-Chief decided that he must call upon her to make an attack, a call which under difficult conditions she answered “with splendid gallantry and success.” It was 1440/24 when the Commander-in-Chief ordered Rear-Admiral 2nd Cruiser Squadron in the Galatea to proceed with the Victorious and his cruisers, the Aurora, Kenya and Hermione, to a position within 100 miles of the Bismarck, there to launch a torpedo bombing attack and maintain contact as long as possible. Steaming 28 knots24 they went off at 1509/24 to find the Bismarck. Her position was known through the excellent reports coming in from the Norfolk and Suffolk and a sun-sight had given the Galatea a good position (58° 53’ N., 31° 44’ W.) at 2000/24. As it was clear that she could not get within 100 miles of the Bismarck until 2300/24 on account of the latter’s turn to the westward during the exchange of fire at 1850/24, the Rear-Admiral decided to fly the planes off at 2200/24 when 120 miles from their objective. The wind was blowing fresh from the north-west when at 2208/24 the Victorious turned to 330° and reduced to 15 knots to fly off nine Swordfish torpedo bombers of 825 Squadron. The weather was as bad as it could be. The flying deck presented a chilly prospect of dark foaming seas, rain and scudding cloud in a leaden sky. The heavily loaded planes gathered way very slowly. They were off at 2210/24 and disappeared into cloud and rain squalls.

24. Course 240°; position of Victorious at 1600, 59° 47’ N., 28° 42’ W.