The Admiralty last night told the story of the destruction of the Bismarck, Germany╒s 35,000-ton battleship, after a pursuit of more than 1,750 miles.
After the loss of H.M.S. Hood on Saturday very strong forces were sent out to hunt the Bismarck. They included Home Fleet units under Admiral Sir J. C. Tovey in H.M.S. King George V and Mediterranean Fleet units under Admiral Sir J. F. Somerville in H.M.S. Renown. H.M.S. Rodney and H.M.S. Ramillies, which were on convoy duty, and the aircraft-carriers Ark Royal and Victorious were among other notable ships in the pursuit.
The Bismarck came very near to making port. She was about 400 miles due west of Brest when she was brought to bay early yesterday morning, having then been hit by torpedoes from aircraft (which played a vital part in the operations) and destroyers.
Our heavy ships were in action in the final phase, but it was the cruiser Dorsetshire which dealt the final blows ╤ with torpedoes ╤ at eleven o╒clock yesterday morning.
In the first action on Saturday the Bismarck was accompanied by the 10,000 ton cruiser Prince Eugen. ╥Measures are being taken in respect of her,╙ Mr. Churchill told the House of Commons yesterday.
Apart from the Hood, only one British ship was damaged, H.M.S. Prince of Wales, which was slightly damaged on Saturday but was still able to engage the Bismarck again.
