"I ask for the House indulgence.....Bismarck is sunk!"

[spanner570]

Thus spoke Winston Churchill to the House of Commons in May 1941.


Just for fun, I've picked out photos of models I've made in a kind'a potted stage thingy, leading up to the sinking of the German Battleship Bismarck....and as she lies today.

Please be kind and accept the images for what they are. My best attempt. Thank you.

This selection of pictures are of her leaving Kiel, being spotted along with Prinz Eugen in the Norwegian Fjords. To their breakout into the North Atlantic.


Leaving Kiel heading into the Baltic


Her 'Stripes' in the Baltic ice.





In the company of Prinz Eugen heading up the Norwegian Coast line.




Bismarck from Prinz Eugen.


Prinz Eugen from Bismarck.



After the Allies wonder where the two ships are, they are finally spotted in a Norwegian Fjord getting ready to attempt a breakout into the N. Atlantic.





Re- painted, the German ships breaks out into the Denmark Straits.

Bismarck....







HMS Hood races to intercept the 'Upstart'




To be continued.........

Thanks for looking.

Ron

 

[stillp]

Welcome back Ron, you haven't lost your talents while you've been away!
Pete

 

[Mickc1440]

Wow Ron, a great set of images

 

[PaulinKendal]

What a fabulous set of images - and what beautiful dioramas!

 

[Tim Marlow]

Looking good so far, though I think I can hear ominous music playing in the background…..

 

[Caustik Filth]

Wonderful stills there Ron, on tender hooks waiting for the drama to unfold!

 

[adt70hk]

Masterful!! Simply outstanding!!!

ATB.

Andrew

 

[JayCee]

Excellent work, Ron. Really atmospheric. Look the real thing.
John.

 

[Jim R]

He returns from his walkabout and WOWs us with wonderful photos of wonderful models.

 

[minitnkr]

Some beautiful work, both models & presentation. Haven't lost a step.

 

[Mini Me]

Some fantastic photos of some superb work on your part 570!

 

[yak face]

What a superb storyboard Ron , its like reading a ‘Commando’ comic book ! The quality of the builds and seascapes/ dios is flawless as always . On tenterhooks waiting for the next instalment , cheers tony

 

[tr1ckey66]

Superb stuff Ron. Keep em coming.
Cheers
Paul

 

[outrunner]

Brilliant story and photography, keep it coming Ron.


Andy.

 

[Gern]

Lookin' at this lot, I dunno what's best - your modellin' or your photography! Both are excellent.

 

[spanner570]

Thanks ever so much for all your most excellent comments boys.

In the Denmark Straits, HMS Hood along with the new Battleship Prince of Wales intercept Bismarck and Prinz Eugen. Only a short time into the battle, Bismarck's fifth salvo hits Hood. The British Battleship blows up. Of the crew of 1419 only three survive. Bismarck also damages POW, forcing her to disengage. Bismarck received what was thought to be minor damage, but an inspection reveals a fuel tank has been damaged and is leaking fuel. This forces the Atlantic raiding to be abandoned and Bismarck parts company with Prinz Eugen before heading directly to France and safety.

After the loss of Hood, Churchill orders the British Navy to "Sink the Bismarck" The British Battleships King George V and Rodney, along with the heavy cruisers Dorsetshire and Norfolk try and intercept Bismarck, but fear she will get to the French ports first. She needs slowing down, but how? A flight of Swordfish biplane torpedo bombers takes off from HMS Ark Royal to attack the German battleship.

They score but two hits on Bismarck. One causes minimum damage. The second hits her steering, completely wrecking her port rudder system. It can't be repaired and with the rudder jammed to port, Bismarck turns in an uncontrollable arc and heads directly into the path of the approaching British Battle Group.

Admiral Lutyens aboard Bismarck signals home. "The ship is out of control. We will fight to the last shell"

Their fate now sealed, her crew awaits the arrival of the enemy, knowing there is no escape.............


The British open fire first and the overwhelming fire power quickly puts Bismarck's main armament out of action. An early hit just below the bridge kills Admiral Lutjens, the ship's Captain and all senior officers.
Further communications from the bridge cease......
Settling by the stern with a lean to port, the German warship is soon reduced to a burning hulk. Yet still she is pounded by the British. A chaplain aboard one of the British capital ships pleads with it's Captain to stop firing. He is politely told to 'go away'
The cruiser Dorsetshire is ordered to finish Bismarck off with torpedoes. Two are fired at her starboard side and two at her port. Such was the lean to port that one torpedo actually explodes on Bismarck's superstructure. Aided by her crew who are ordered to opening sea cocks to quicken her sinking, Bismarck settles by the stern and capsizes - Her flag still flying.....

Of the 2,200 crew, 800 survivors took to the water. Rescue efforts were stopped when a British lookout thought he spotted a U. Boat. The men still in the water were left to their fate. Only 114 German sailors were saved.


The Sinking.
Bismarck is a mess. Her port side is a distorted mass of twisted metal. Thick oily smoke is starting to bellow from her innards. Already 'Dora' turret is underwater, to be quickly followed by Caesar.

Her Battle Ensign still flies. Stubborn bravery or perhaps her surviving crew couldn't haul it down to put a stop to the slaughter. Who knows?



I've done my best to create Bismarck's last few minutes just before she healed over and capsized. Most of the devastation occurred on her port side superstructure. (The strange final position of the guns on both Anton and Bruno turrets are from an eyewitness account of the sinking.)

I hope you fine people approve.

H.M.S. King George V about to open fire.



Bismarck, totally out gunned is quickly torn apart.....Her firepower was so swiftly put out of action, she never scored a hit during the short lived battle.




















































A British lookout thought he had spotted a U. Boat, so any further rescue of survivors from the cold, rough seas was stopped. The British ships steamed away. 800 souls abandoned Bismarck, only 114 were finally rescued.




Next up and final chapter. 8th. June 1989.......

Cheers.
Ron

 

[Tim Marlow]

Looking really fine Ron…seascapes as usual are superb. The music has just swelled to a discordant crescendo and settled back into an orchestral rendition of Hearts of oak…..

 

[Mini Me]

Keep it coming 570......I'm sitting on every word!

 

[Caustik Filth]

Splendid Ron truly superb!!

 

[Gern]

Fabulous