Captain Vian’s Flotilla Makes Contact

Just as the sun was setting61 Captain Vian (D.4) in the Cossack with the Maori, Zulu, Sikh and the Polish destroyer Piorun arrived most opportunely on the scene.

Shortly after 1900/26 Force H and the Ark Royal, who was just about to fly off her striking force to attack the Bismarck, had been sighted to the northward. Continuing to the south-eastward, the destroyers sighted the Sheffield at 2152, and obtained from her the approximate position of the enemy. As the last light was dying, the Cossack and her destroyers came creeping swiftly up.

They were spread 2.5 miles apart on a line of bearing 250°-070° in the order from N.E. to S.W. Piorun, Maori, Cossack, Sikh, Zulu: during the latter stages of the approach, speed was reduced and the flotilla manoeuvred so as to avoid making a high speed end-on contact.

At 2238 the Piorun on the port wing reported the Bismarck 9 miles distant, bearing 145° and steering to the south-eastward.

61. Sunset was at 2248 (Midsummer Time). Nautical Twilight (i.e., up to 12° below horizon) ended at 0020, 27th May. There was no moon.