The first striking force on its way back sighted Captain Vian’s destroyers 20 miles west of Force H. This was the first intimation of their presence in the vicinity. As soon as the aircraft of the first striking force returned they were refuelled and rearmed at top speed. In view of the failures with Duplex pistols, they were replaced by contact pistols and the torpedoes were set to run at 22 ft. The second striking force, consisting of fifteen Swordfish (four of 818 Squadron, four of 810 and seven of 820), took off at 1910/26 and formed up in two squadrons of three subflights each, in line astern. Reports coming in from the Sheffield placed the enemy at 167° 38 miles from the Ark Royal. The force was ordered to get in touch with the Sheffield who was told to use D/F to guide them.
A strong wind, force 6, was blowing from the north-west, cloud was 7-10, 2,000 ft. The Sheffield was sighted at 1955/26 and lost; she was found again at 2035 and directed them by visual signal on to the enemy bearing 110°, 12 miles. The force took departure for the target in subflights in line astern at 2040/26, track 110°. Then followed the attack which was to have such big results. On nearing the enemy a thick bank of cloud with base about 700 ft. was met and in climbing through it the force got split up. At 2047/26, No. 1 subflight of three planes diving through the cloud sighted the enemy four miles off to the south-east down wind. One aircraft of No. 3 subflight was with them. Approaching again just inside the cloud they made their final dive at 2053/26 on the port beam under a very intense and accurate fire, dropping four torpedoes of which one was seen to hit. No. 2 subflight (two planes) lost touch with No. 1 in the cloud, climbed to 9,000 ft., dived on a bearing obtained by A.S.V. and attacked on the starboard beam under intense and accurate fire, dropping two torpedoes with one probable hit. The third plane of No. 2 subflight, having lost touch in the cloud, returned to the Sheffield to get another range and bearing, then flying ahead of the enemy carried out a determined attack on his port bow under very heavy fire and obtained a hit on the port side amidships.
No. 4 subflight followed No. 3 subflight into the cloud and got iced up at 6,600 ft. It dived and found a clear patch at 2,000 ft. where it was joined by the second aircraft from No. 3 subflight. The Bismarck was sighted engaging No. 2 subflight to starboard. The four aircraft circled her stern and diving through a low piece of cloud attacked simultaneously from the port side, dropping four torpedoes which did not hit. They came under a very fierce fire and one aircraft (4 C) was hit about a hundred times, both pilot and air gunner being wounded.
The two aircraft of No. 5 subflight lost contact with the other subflights and with each other in the cloud. They climbed to 7,000 ft. when ice began to form. Aircraft 4 K coming out at 1,000 ft. sighted the enemy down wind, went back into the cloud under fire, saw a torpedo hit on the enemy’s starboard side, reached a position on the starboard bow, withdrew to five miles, came in just above the sea and just outside 1,000 yards fired a torpedo which did not hit. The second plane lost his leader diving through the cloud, found himself on the starboard quarter and after two attempts to attack under heavy fire was forced to jettison his torpedo.
Of the two planes of No. 6 subflight one attacked on the starboard beam and dropped his torpedo at 2,000 yards without success; the second lost the enemy, returned to the Sheffield for a new range and bearing and after searching at sea level attacked on the starboard beam but was driven off by an intense fire. The attack was over by 2125/26. Thirteen torpedoes had been fired and it was thought that two hits had been obtained; two torpedoes had been jettisoned.57 The severe nature and full effect of the damage done was perhaps at first not fully appreciated. Actually the Bismarck had received a deadly blow. The last shadowers58 returning at 2325/26, had seen her make two complete circles. She had received two hits and possibly a third. One torpedo struck her the port side amidships doing little damage. One struck her on the starboard quarter damaging her propellors, wrecking her steering gear and jamming her rudders. This was the one that sealed her fate.
The Sheffield was still shadowing astern when at 2140/26 the Bismarck, turning to port, opened fire with six accurate salvoes of 15-in.; none actually hit, but a near miss killed three men and seriously injured two. The Sheffield turning away sighted at 2142/26 the Cossack and her destroyers approaching from the westward and gave them the approximate position of the Bismarck. She had shadowed her closely since 1740/26 and had been able to direct the aircraft and destroyers on to her. Losing touch about 2155/26 she continued on what she thought was a parallel course to the northward. The destroyers went on to shadow and attack. In the Ark Royal aircraft were being got ready for an attack at dawn. Meanwhile the Renown and Ark Royal shaped course to the southward so as to leave the road clear for the Commander-in-Chief.
Signals sent from Bismarck to Group West
1903/26 Fuel situation urgent. When can I expect fuel?
2054/26 Am being attacked by carrier borne aircraft.
2015/26 Ship no longer manoeuverable.
2105/26 Appr. position 47 40N, 14 50W. torpedo hit aft.
2115/26 Torpedo hit amidships. Fleet Commander
Signals sent to Bismarck from Group West
2117/26 U-boat reports: 2000. One battleship, on aircraft carrier in appr. position 47 50N 16 50W. course 115°, high speed.
2205/26 U-boats ordered to collect in appr. position 47 40N, 14 50W. Group West
Signals sent from Bismarck to Group West
2325/26 Am surrounded by Renown and light forces.
2352/26 Ship no longer manoeuverable. We fight to the last shell. Long live the Führer.
2358/26 To the Führer of the German Reich Adolf Hitler. We fight to the last in the belief in you my Führer and in the firm faith in Germany’s victory.
2359/26 Armament engines still intact. Ship however cannot be steered with engines. Fleet Commander
57. Ark Royal’s report gives two hits and one probable. Ark Royal to Flag Officer, Force H, at 2213/26, “one hit amidships”; at 2240/26 “possible second hit on starboard quarter.”
58. Eight aircraft had been up, shadowing all day two at a time. “Their work throughout the day was particularly well carried out.” (Ark Royal’s report in C.B. 04164, page 50, paragraph 35.)