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Admiral Somerville commanding Force H, flying his flag on the 32000 ton battle-cruiser Repulse, was unable to arrive in time for his surface ships to take part in the final action. Although he had used the aircraft from the carrier Ark Royal with some success Bismarck was still afloat and hitting back. Finally, Admiral Jack Tovey commanding the British Fleet was forced to admit that gunfire alone could not sink the enemy battleship in the immediate future. Time was of the essence with fuel oil running low and the ever-present threat from U-boats plus possible air attack from the German occupied air bases in France. Admiral Tovey made the position clear to Somerville in an exchange of signals. At 1025 hrs Admiral Somerville signalled Tovey asking " Have you disposed of the enemy" and got the reply "Have to discontinue action for fuel" adding a short time later "She is still afloat". The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, had addressed the House of Commons about the action. He told members of Parliament that it appeared Bismarck would not be sunk by gunfire, it would have to be done with torpedoes. It was obvious he was being briefed on the situation, with the very latest information coming straight from the flagship.
At 1044hrs the C in C sent a general signal to the Fleet "Any ships with torpedoes are to use them on Bismarck". I can only assume he meant H.M.S.Norfolk, the destroyers or H.M.S.Dorsetshire. A few minutes later he sent a message to Force H "Cannot sink Bismarck with gunfire". Before receiving the first message Captain Martin had pre-empted the order, anticipating the need for such an attack he was already closing to get within 3000 yards to launch torpedoes. Once in range 'Torps' released two 'tin-fish' and like everyone else on deck I anxiously watched them running towards their target. To our elation both 'tin-fish' were hits. Circling at speed, Martin manoeuvred around the German's bows and attacked the port side firing one more torpedo, which struck home. Three hits out of three were the best possible result. The Torpedomen on the cruiser were ecstatic and Jack Tovey must have felt the same way, particularly as 'Rodney' and 'Norfolk' had between them fired off fourteen torpedoes previously without scoring a hit. At 1045hrs Capt. Martin signalled. "Enemy is sunk, am picking up survivors - Too rough to lower boats - Hundreds of men in the water". The next signal from 'Dorsetshire' read "I torpedoed Bismarck on both sides before she sank - her colours were still flying". At 1120hrs C in C to Fleet "I should like to pay tribute to the most gallant fight Bismarck put up against impossible odds". This justified compliment must have ruffled some feathers at the Admiralty because at 1610hrs Admiral Tovey received a brusque message. "For political reasons it is essential that nothing of the nature of sentiments expressed in your 1119/27 should be given publicly however much you admire a gallant fight".
Bismarck sank at approximately 1045 hrs, accompanied by loud bangs and hissing steam, taking Admiral Gunthur Lutjens, and Captain Ernst Lindemann, with her. Going down stern first the bow section remained sticking straight up out of the water for a short time. Just as it was disappearing under the surface the drone of aircraft engines could be heard and our A/A gunners prepared to repel enemy aircraft, they had been silent while the main armament was doing it's destructive work. The constant threat of an air attack from the French coast was always a consideration, but in this instance the planes were quickly identified as belonging to the aircraft carrier HMS. Victorious. They arrived just as the last piece of 'Bismark' slipped under the waves. The prolonged pounding of the British guns had crippled the 'Bismark' albeit not enough to finish her off. The devastating destruction was mainly to the upper sections of the ship, some areas were a twisted mass of steel. Doors and hatches became distorted, trapping some of the German seamen below decks, who consequently they drowned. Now hundreds of oil covered Germans littered the sea as 'Dorsetshire' edged towards them to rescue as many as possible. Lines were thrown out to be grabbed by the desperate swimmers who were in a sorry state.
Except for us and the destroyer 'Maori' all the other ships had quickly left the scene without attempting to rescue survivors. It was up to 'Dorsetshire' and 'Maori' to do the best they could in the shortest possible time. Many Germans were wearing life jackets but the heavy swell made it difficult for them to reach the lifelines. Oil fuel on the surface covered the men blackening their faces. Having been in the same predicament myself I had a rough idea what the poor devils were going through. Our lads worked frantically to pull the Germans inboard, they realised that time was running out. The Germans congregated in groups, holding on to the ropes. There was a definite language barrier because we shouted at them not to get too many holding on each line, especially as some ropes had nobody on them. Unfortunately the appeals seemed to be ignored. They appeared to be oblivious to the fact that half a dozen men on one rope made it impossible for the rescuers to haul so much weight to safety. It could have been that they were afraid to gamble the little they had for a better chance of salvation.
Commander Bias told me to follow him and we went to help with the rescue, that was until an officer was hauled on board who turned out to be a senior gunnery officer. Commander Bias accorded him the privilege of rank and took him to a cabin to be cleaned up and given a dry change of clothes. His uniform was sodden with salt water and stained with oil so the Commander asked me if I knew a 'dhobi wallah' who could wash and press it. I took it for'ard and found a 'strippy', renowned for his laundering skills, who was willing to do it knowing he would get well paid by the Commander. When the uniform was returned it looked good but it was minus the eagle insignia. The German officer gave no indication that he noticed the loss, perhaps as a prisoner of war he opted for diplomacy.
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Sinking the Bismarck |
