BRIEF CAREER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 May 1941, Page 5

BRIEF CAREER

ALLEGEDLY UNSINKABLE SHIP BRILLIANT BRITISH STAFF WORK. NAZI SCHEME FRUSTRATED. LONDON, May 27. The Bismarck was first commissioned last November, and at the time of hetlaunching. which- was attended by Hitler, she was declared to be unsinkable. She carried eight 15-inch guns and had an estimated speed of about 30 knots. Since she was reported in commission nothing had been seen of the Bismarck till her dramatic appearance three days ago in the action which ended the Hood’s career. And now Germany’s greatest warship is at the bottom of the sea. An official communique issued in Berlin early today said: "Since 9 p.m. last night the Bismarck has been engaged in a hard tight with superior enemy forces.” The naval correspondent of "The Times." writing before the announcement of the sinking, said the Bismarck had been hit by two torpedoes from naval aircraft. These might not have seriously damaged such a well-protect-ed ship, but- were 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 the result of brilliant naval staff work. The operation on which the Bismarck was bent is unknown, but clearly the enemy would hardly send out its newest and most powerful battleship except for a purpose to which it attached (lie highest importance. That purpose has now been frustrated.