THE BISMARCK SUNK.

Kaikoura Star, Volume LXI, Issue 41, 29 May 1941, Page 3

THE BISMARCK SUNK.

MAKING FOR BRESTE. LONDON, May 27. The German 35,000-ton battleship Bismarck has been sunk. This dramatic news was announced to-day by the Prime Minister (Mr Winston Churchill), and it was confirmed by a brief Admiralty communique, which said: 1 ‘The German battleship Bismarck has been sunk by our naval forces. Details will be announced as soon as possible.” The Bismarck had been hunted by British warships and Fleet Air Ann aeroplanes since H.M.S. Hood was lost three days ago in the North Atlantic. Last night the Admiralty, announcing that the Bismarck was being hotly pursued, said that a torpedo-carrying bomber of the Fleet Air Arm had scored a hit on the Bismarck. Early to-day an official communique issued in Berlin, said: “Since 9 p.m. last night the Bismarck has been engaged in a hard fight with superior enemy forces.” Yesterday it was announced by the Oslo radio that the Bismarck was then fighting a superior British squadron in Denmark Strait, between Greenland Iceland. The Bismarck was put into commission only last November. Herr Hitler was present at her launching, and at that time she was said by the Germans to be unsinkable. She carried eight 15in guns and her speed was estimated at about 30 knots. l*he naval correspondent of The Times, writing before the sinking of the Bismarck was announced, said. “The Bismarck has ben hit by two torpedoes from naval aircraft. These may not have seriously damaged such a well-protected ship, but they are almost certain to have reduced her speed. “It is known that she left a Norwegian port on May 22, and her interception as early as May 24 was evidently a result of brilliant naval staff work. The operation on which the Bismarck was bent is unknown, but clearly the enemy would hardly send out his newest and most powerful battleship except for a purpose to which he attached the highest importance. That purpose has now been frustrated. ’ ’ The Official German News Agency has admitted that the Bismarck has been sunk. Among the British naval forces which took part in the action against the Bismarck were the Prince of Wales and the aircraft carrier Ark Royal. The Prince of Wales is the latest British battleship to join the Fleet and she was put into service only last month.