By 26 May the question of fuel was becoming acute. For four days ships had been steaming hard on their momentous quest, and the Commander-in-Chief was faced with the stern reality of fuel limits. The Repulse had already left for Newfoundland; the Prince of Wales was on her way to Iceland; the Victorious and Suffolk had been forced to cut down their speed. Finally, about midnight, there went out from the Commander-in-Chief an ominous signal to say that he, too, might have to reduce speed to economise fuel.42 At the Admiralty arrangements had been made for a comprehensive scheme of air search and in particular for two cross-over patrols43 on the route to Brest by large Catalina flying boats fitted with long-range tanks. These were to start at 1000/26 from Loch Erne and were to have immediate and important results. Want of fuel was also affecting the destroyer screens. There was none available for the Victorious, but there were five of the 4th Flotilla,44 escorting a troop convoy, WS8B, to the westward, and these were ordered at 0159/26 to join the Commander-in-Chief and Rodney. Leaving the convoy they shaped course to the north-eastward. They were to play an important part in the final stages of the chase. So, too, was Force H which was then hearing the immediate area of operations.
Signal sent to Bismarck from Group West
2344/25 Assume you will continue directly to French West coast harbour even if no contactwith enemy.
1025/26 1) Reconnaissance started according to plan. 2) Weather situation in Biscay makes extended escort impossible. Therefore only close air cover possible for time being. Group West
42. Commander-in-Chief to Admiralty, 2238/25.
43. Through 50° 10’ N., 21° W.; 52° 20’ N., 19° 25’ W.; 48° 10’ N., 23° 30’ W.; 49° 50’ N., 21° 10’ W. First Sea Lord 0109/26.
44. The Cosack (Captain Philip Vian), Maori, Zulu, Sikh, and (Polish) Piorun.