Sink the Bismarck! 1960

Bismarck is launched

In February 1939, Nazi Germany's battleship Bismarck is launched, signaling a new era of German sea power. The ship's introduction establishes it as a centerpiece of the Kriegsmarine's ocean-going strategy. The event sets the stage for the film's ensuing chase and naval drama.

Intelligence spots Bismarck and Prinz Eugen

In May 1941, British naval intelligence spots Bismarck and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen about to sail into the North Atlantic to attack Allied convoys. The discovery triggers a high-stakes pursuit designed to prevent a devastating convoy raid. London becomes the hub for the hunt.

London war room coordinates the hunt

From an underground war room in London, Captain Jonathan Shepard coordinates the pursuit with the aid of Anne Davis, WRNS. Shepard's icy demeanor masks a deeply personal stake, as his son serves in the Navy. The plan hinges on catching Bismarck before she can reach safety.

Battle in the Denmark Strait

HMS Hood and HMS Prince of Wales engage Bismarck and Prinz Eugen in the Denmark Strait. The Hood explodes and sinks in a spectacular blaze, shocking sailors on both sides. The Prince of Wales is damaged, and the German ships retreat under the pressure of pursuing British forces. Prinz Eugen heads for Brest while Bismarck covers her withdrawal.

Churchill orders to sink the Bismarck

News of Hood's destruction reaches Whitehall, and Winston Churchill officially orders the Bismarck to be sunk. The British fleet closes in, prepared to trap and neutralize the damaged battleship at sea. The chase intensifies as Bismarck battles to avoid capture.

Air attack damages Bismarck

Swordfish torpedo planes from HMS Ark Royal attack Bismarck again, scoring a blow to her fuel tanks. The damage is serious but not decisive, leaving the battleship still capable of fighting. The pursuit becomes a grueling test of endurance for both sides.

First Swordfish attack misidentifies target

The first torpedo run misidentifies HMS Sheffield as the Bismarck because of faulty magnetic detonators. The torpedoes explode at sea rather than on impact, wasting the opportunity. The pilots regroup and prepare for a second attack.

Second Swordfish attack cripples Bismarck

With conventional detonators, the second torpedo strike hits near the stern and jams the Bismarck's rudder. The crippled ship can only circle, unable to maneuver away from the pursuing British forces. The chase reaches a critical turning point as the fleet tightens the net.

Shepard's personal blow

Back in London, Captain Shepard learns his son's plane has gone missing, a devastating personal blow that hardens his resolve to finish the mission. The loss adds emotional weight to the strategic pursuit. The war room mood grows tenser as time presses on.

Shepard bets on the interception

Convinced that Lütjens ordered a risky return to friendly waters, Shepard wagers a large naval force on intercepting the Bismarck. The gamble pays off when a tracking lead locates her steaming toward the French coast. Fuel and reinforcements become critical constraints as the chase intensifies.

Solent sunk and the chase continues

During the night, two British destroyers press the crippled Bismarck with torpedoes. One hit sinks HMS Solent, while Bismarck returns fire. The action demonstrates both the ship's stubborn resilience and the Royal Navy's determination to finish the hunt.

Main fleet engages the Bismarck

The next day, the main British force including HMS Rodney and HMS King George V closes in and rains shells on the damaged battleship. The bombardment pushes Bismarck toward her limits as the British press for a final incapacitating blow. The drama underscores a battle of attrition between two powerful fleets.

Lütjens is killed; the ship is doomed

A shell strikes Bismarck's bridge, killing Admiral Günther Lütjens and most of the bridge crew. With the command structure decimated, the remaining officers and crew abandon ship as the vessel takes on water and lists badly. The morale of the crew collapses in the face of inevitable destruction.

Bismarck sinks

Dorsetshire fires torpedoes into the heavily damaged vessel, causing it to capsize and sink faster than its crew can evacuate. The once-mighty battleship disappears beneath the waves, marking a decisive Royal Navy victory. The scene caps the film's climactic pursuit with a somber sense of achievement.