Along with her sister ship, KMS Tirpitz, the Kriegsmarine Bismarck was among the largest and fastest battleships of the period. And it was more powerful than any ships the British Royal Navy had.

On May 27, 1941, the British battleship HMS Rodney joined the relentless pursuit of the German battleship Bismarck, flagship of the Kriegsmarine. Alongside HMS King George V, Rodney opened fire ...