In the early morning of 24 May the German task force maintained a course of 170º at a speed of 27 knots. Prinz Eugen was still in the lead and the Bismarck in her wake.

The German task force was shadowed by the heavy cruiser Suffolk (distance more than 25.000 meter). The heavy cruiser Norfolk approached from East (distance more than 33.000 meter).

Yet unknown to the Germans, the Hood and Prince of Wales approached from south-east (240º) at a speed of 28 knots.

At 0515 the hydrophones on Prinz Eugen detected the noise of ships from port side to the south-east. This information was immediately signalled to the Admiral aboard Bismarck, who ordered lookouts on both German ships to scan the horizon in that direction. Lütjens had not received any new intelligence from the German Naval High Command regarding the disposition and movements of British naval units, so he could only speculate as to the nature of the ship or ships detected by the Prinz Eugen.

At 0532 the Germans changed course to 220º keeping the speed at 27 knots.

At 0535 the British (Prince of Wales) observed unidentified smoke in the horizon.

At 0537 Prince of Wales sighted the German squadron at a distance of 34.700 meter (38.000 yards) bearing 335º. An enemy identification radio report was issued.

At the same time Prinz Eugen, which was still ahead of Bismarck, spotted a "suspected light cruiser" on port side at distance of 34.100 meters (37.300 yards).

The British task force had been steaming on a course of 240º (west by south-west) at 28 knots, while the German squadron was steering a course of 220º (almost directly south-west). The two forces were on almost parallel courses with only a 20º angle of convergence. At this angle of convergence, the rate of closure was about 283 meter (310 yards) per minute. This meant that the British squadron would not be within effective range for another 15 minutes (or not until 0552) if both squadrons maintained their present course. Since the British squadron had a slight lead over the German ships, they could take advantage of this and bring the issue to a head sooner.

The British squadron (Hood and Prince of Wales) turned 40° to starboard and was now on course 280°.

At 0541 Norfolk got visible contact with the German squadron too, distance 15 Nautical Miles which is 27.780 meters (30.393 yards) and issued a report. She was approaching the German ships from east.

At 0543 Hood released an updated interception radio report about the German units. The report mentioned the enemy at 17 Nautical Miles, which are equal to 31.484 meters (34.446 yards) at bearing 337°.

Prinz Eugen spotted another unit (later identified as the Hood), estimated distance 39.300 metes (42.997 yards). They were plotted to be about 20º forward of the port beam, which gave them a slight lead on the German squadron. The smoke obviously came from British warships brought on by the shadowing cruisers' sighting reports, but what type of ships were they? In all probability, they were two more cruisers called in to reinforce the Suffolk and Norfolk in their surveillance role. While this would not be a serious threat to the German squadron, it could make it more difficult for the Germans to shake off their pursuers.

Lütjens was under standing orders to avoid combat with British warships, unless it was necessary to attack Allied merchant ships carrying war supplies to the British Isles.

At 0547 "ALARM" sounded on Prinz Eugen.

At about 0549, 12 minutes after the Bismarck and Prinz Eugen were first sighted, the range had closed to nearly 24.000 meter (26.000 yards) and Holland was getting close to giving the order to open fire on the German ships. He realised the vulnerability of the Hood to plunging fire at long ranges, so he wanted to pass through the critical zone of vulnerability as fast as possible. He therefore gave the order for his squadron to make a 20º turn to starboard on a new course of 300º towards the enemy.

The Germans were still not able to positively identify the British ships, but based on their speed, the possibility that they might be older battleships that could be easily outmanoeuvred rapidly disappeared. The Germans were still clinging to the belief that the British ships were two additional cruisers sent to reinforce the ones that had been trailing the German squadron during the night, but even this dream was slowly evaporating. As the British ships came closer, it also seemed unlikely that cruisers would deliberately close the range with a battleship. If Captain Brinkmann on the Prinz Eugen had known earlier and for certain that the ships were Hood and Prince of Wales, he would have dropped out of the line, for German Fleet orders expressly forbade cruisers to engage capital ships. In the British ranks there was confusion too, caused by the similarity of Bismarck's and Prinz Eugen's silhouettes. It seemed that assuming that Bismarck must be the leading ship, Holland signalled to Prince of Wales, "Stand by to open fire. Target left-hand ship".

At 0550 distance from Prinz Eugen to Norfolk was 26.000 meters (east), Suffolk was 30.000 meters (north) and Hood and Prince of Wales was 25.000 meters (south-east).

At 0552-0553, as the range approached 22.800 meter (25.000 yards), British Vice-Admiral Holland gave the order to open fire against the leading German ship, bearing 337°. Due to similarity in the ships profile between Bismarck and Prinz Eugen, Vice-Admiral Holland apparently believed the leading ship was Bismarck. He was unaware that the German ships had changed position earlier.

On the Prince of Wales they had identified the rear ship as being the Bismarck. Captain Leach on the Prince of Wales decided to ignore the order from Vice-Admiral Holland Holland on the Hood. Leach was hoping that the gunners on the Hood would realise their error and shift their fire to the correct target. Huge columns of water erupted around the Prinz Eugen as the Hood's first salvo arrived. A few seconds later, the Bismarck had a similar experience as Prince of Wales' shells landed near her. This finally ended any uncertainty as to the type of British ships approaching. Only the heavy guns of capital ships could produce the blasts seen as the British ships opened fire on the German squadron, and create the gigantic water spouts caused by their shells exploding in the sea. Their angle of approach still made it difficult to see any distinguishing features of the British ships and therefore they could still not be positively identified.

Both Bismarck and Prinz Eugen used to shoot first A+B turrets and after a while C+D turrets, a "Ripple-Firing" methodology.

Bismarck fired 2 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D) (or the 1st full salvo), obviously on Hood. It was ahead on Hood's bow to starboard. Prinz Eugen fired 2 semi-salvos too (A+B and C+D) so 1st salvo for her as well to Hood. The second semi-salvo hit the Hood and draw first blood, causing fire on mid-ship aft.

Prince of Wales fired her 5th salvo, distance 20.199 meters (22.100 yards), which was over and 6th salvo at 19.331 meters (21.150 yards). The 6th salvo hit the Bismarck for the first time.

Hood fired her 4th salvo at Bismarck.

Norfolk entered the scenario from east at 24.000 meters.

Suffolk was far away at north at 29.000 meters.

At 0556 both Bismarck and Hood had suffered hits already. Hood was on fire from hit received by Prinz Eugen 1st salvo.

Bismarck got a hit (1st) from Prince of Wales 6th salvo on the bow, oil started to leak and sea water entered fuel deposits. Bismarck started to leave an oil track behind her.

Bismarck fired 2 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D) or the 2nd full salvo on Hood, that fell betweeen Hood and Prince of Wales.

Prinz Eugen fired 4 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D, A+B and C+D) so 2nd and 3rd salvo to Hood.

Prince of Wales fired her 7th salvo from 18.120 meters (19.825 yards) and 8th salvo from 18.325 meters (20.050 yards) at Bismarck, both over.

Hood fired her 5th and 6th salvos at Bismarck, the ship was on fire at midship aft due to a hit from Prinz Eugen.

Norfolk entered the scenario from east at 23.000 meters.

Suffolk was far away on north at 29.000 meters.

At 0557 the battle continues. Bismarck still accellerated to try to catch up on Prinz Eugen to place the cruiser on the lee (starboard) side, but Prinz Eugen was still well ahead.

Bismarck fired 2 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D) or the 3rd full salvo on Hood and this time hit the Hood.

At this point the port side 150 mm secondary guns on Bismarck started to fire at Prince of Wales being at proper range, around 18.000 meters.

Prinz Eugen fired 4 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D, A+B and C+D) so 4th and 5th salvo against Hood.

Prince of Wales fired her 9th salvo from 16.680 meters (18.250 yards) at Bismarck and hit the German battleship.

Meanwhile Prince of Wales' secondary armament 133 mm (5,25 inch) starboard guns opened fire on Bismarck too.

Hood fired her 7th salvo at Bismarck.

Norfolk entered the scenario from east at 22.500 meters.

Suffolk is far away on North at 29.000 meters.

At 0558 Admiral Lutjens ordered Prinz Eugen to switch target from Hood to Prince of Wales and Kpt Ltnt Jasper executed it accordingly. He stated on his report that Bismarck and Prinz Eugen crossed the lines of fire to shoot at each given target.

Prinz Eugen was still well ahead of Bismarck and Hood ahead of Prince of Wales.

Bismarck fired 2 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D) or the 4th full salvo on Hood. Meanwhile she received a second hit from Prince of Wales 9th salvo. The shell hit under waterline midship broke several compartments causing some flooding.

Several compartments were damaged, generator and engines had problems and oil deposits were broken, a serious hit.

Prinz Eugen fired 4 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D, A+B and C+D) so 6th salvo on Hood. The 7th salvo was fired at Prince of Wales to find range.

Prince of Wales fired her 10th salvo from 15.675 meters (17.150 yards) and 11th salvo from 15.629 meters (17.100 yards) at Bismarck, both too short.

Hood fired her 8th and 9th salvo at Bismarck, after having being hit by Prinz Eugen and on fire in the aft position. Now being hit by Bismarck, the fire developed also midship close to the main tower.

The RAF airplane Sunderland Z/201 (Pilot Flight Ltnt R.J. Vaughn) coming from Iceland would soon arrive to the battle scene and clearly reported this.

Norfolk was now to the east on the horizon at 22.000 meters.

Suffolk still on the horizon north-west, but out of the dispute still at 29.000 meters.

At 0559 Prinz Eugen now zero-ed/restarted quickfiring on her target which was now Prince of Wales (see Jasper report) while Bismarck received fire from both Hood and Prince of Wales. Bismarck still fired at Hood.

Late at this minute Admiral Holland ordered another 20° turn to port from 280° to 260° course for both Hood and Prince of Wales and both ships started to execute the order accordingly.

The British RAF airplane Sunderland Z/201 (Pilot Flight Ltnt R.J. Vaughn) passed above Hood and reported the 2 places on fire.

Bismarck fired 2 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D) or the 5th full salvo on Hood. This hit probably from C+D late in the minute (fired from 15.700 meters) sunk the British battlecruiser.

Prinz Eugen fired 4 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D, A+B and C+D) so 8th and 9th salvo at Prince of Wales from 16-17.000 meters.

Prince of Wales fired her 12th salvo from 15.629 meters (17.100 yards) and 13th salvo from 15.035 meters (16.150 yards) at Bismarck. 12th salvo was short, but 13th salvo hit Bismarck for the 3rd time.

Hood fired her 10th salvo at Bismarck, the last one with the fully efficient ship.

Norfolk manouvres to close at 21.500 meters

Suffolk still on the horizon but out of the dispute at 28/29.000 meters.

At 0600 Hood received the fatal hit and exploded. This was probably the last semi-salvo (C+D) from Bismarck of the 5th salvo. After Hood exploded it was divided on 2 pieces, while it started to sink, the forward turrets (A+B) fired for the last time.

The British ships were just making the turn when this occurred.

The RAF airplane Sunderland Z/201 (Pilot Flight Ltnt R.J. Vaughn) now moved toward the German ships. Bismarck started to shoot at the aircraft with her anti-aircraft guns.

Bismarck fired 2 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D) or the 6th full salvo on Hood. The salvo was already planned and could not be diverged so it went out to where Hood had been.

At this point Bismarck received the 3rd hit from Prince of Wales 13th salvo. The damage occurred midship, small boat/catapult, then the shell went outboard.

Prinz Eugen fired 4 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D, A+B and C+D) so 10th and 11th salvo against Prince of Wales.

Prince of Wales fired her 14th salvo from 14.898 meters (16.300 yards), 15th salvo from 13.710 meters (15.000 yards) and 16th salvo from 13.801 (15.100 yards) at Bismarck, all of them fell short.

Norfolk turned to port after Hood exploded, doing so it reduced closing rate distance to the German ships. Now it was 21.000 meters from them.

Suffolk still on the horizon but out of the dispute at 28.000 meters (30.600 yards).

At 0601 Hood was sinking, Prince of Wales had to change course quickly, turning to starboard in order not to hit the remains of the British battlecruiser.

Kpt Ltnt Jasper saw in the rangefinders that Prince of Wales turned towards him. Kpt zur See Brinkmann on Prinz Eugen asked Kpt Ltnt Reimann to launch torpedoes at Prince of Wales which was now well into launching range.

Bismarck now changed target to Prince of Wales that now was under fire from both German ships and was forced to turn towards them, closing distance.

The RAF airplane Sunderland Z/201 (Pilot Flight Ltnt R.J. Vaughn) returned to the clouds due to heavy anti-aircraft fire from Bismarck.

Bismarck fired 2 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D) or the 7th full salvo at PoW to acquire range from less than 15.000 meters.

Prinz Eugen fired 4 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D, A+B and C+D) or 12th and 13th salvo at Prince of Wales from 14.500 meters.

Prince of Wales fired her 17th salvo from 12.887 meters (14.100 yards) and 18th salvo from 13.253 meters (14.500 yards) at Bismarck, both too short.

Hood started to sink and the stem was high in the air.

Norfolk was still closing in on the German ships being 20.500 meters from them.

Suffolk still on the horizon but out of the dispute at 28.000 meters (30.600 yards), north of the Germans.

At 0602 Hood was still sinking. Prince of Wales turned around the remains of Hood under close and heavy fire.

Bismarck started to make a turn to starboard to avoid potential torpedo from the RAF airplane. The Sunderland Z/201 (Pilot Flight Ltnt R.J. Vaughn) just disappeared into the clouds.

During this turn Bismarck crossed Prinz Eugen track and was now moving on Prinz Eugen's starboard.

Bismarck fired 2 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D) or the 8th full salvo against Prince of Wales and scored a big hit (1st) on the compass platform from 14.000 meters.

Prinz Eugen fired 4 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D, A+B and C+D) or 14th and 15th salvo to Prince of Wales.

Kpt Ltnt Reimann had not launched any torpedo yet and at this point she was 14.000 meters from Prince of Wales, well within launching range and with the enemy ship in clear difficulties (not even shooting anymore).

Prince of Wales didn't fire anymore now, the 1st hit received from Bismarck had almost killed everybody on the compass platform. The ship was in clear danger.

Hood had almost totally disappeared under the sea, some remains floated around.

Norfolk opened fire (3 salvos) but the shells fell short to Bismarck, from 20.000 meters (21.800 yards).

Suffolk still on the horizon but out of the dispute at 28.000 meters (30.600 yards).

At 0603 Hood was sunk. Prince of Wales was in clear danger and both Prinz Eugen and Bismarck kept firing on her from a very close distance now down to 14.000 meters or even less.

Prince of Wales started to develop a smoke screens to try to make it more difficult for the fire from the German units.

Also the German ships heavy flak (105 mm) guns on port side are shooting at Prince of Wales now.

Bismarck crossed Prinz Eugen track and now sailed west on Prinz Eugen's starboard.

Prinz Eugen still followed original track and now, being within torpedo launching range in more than a couple of minutes, missed the clear chance to launch a set of torpedo against Prince of Wales. The hydrophonic system intercepted a noise on bearing 220° that was assumed to be a torpedo launched against Prinz Eugen which prepared to turn to starboard.

PoW started to make a 160° fast conversion on her port side trying to disengage quickly and released some smoke screens to protect herself.

Bismarck fired 2 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D) or the 9th full salvo to Prince of Wales and scored again from 14.500 meters on the British ship's stern under the waterline (2nd hit) and put the 133 mm secondary fire control direction out of action on the starboard side (3rd hit).

Prinz Eugen fired 4 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D, A+B and C+D) so 16th and 17th salvo at Prince of Wales scoring a hit (1st) on the stern under waterline, but did not launch the torpedoes even that it was 14.000 meters from her.

Prince of Wales now tried to react, firing (1st salvo) with Y turret (back) by using local control, shell splashes not very close to Bismarck.

Hood was completely gone leaving only 3 survivors in some rafts.

Norfolk ceased fire from 20.500 meters.

Suffolk still on the horizon but out of the dispute at 28.000 meters (30.600 yards).

At 0604 Prince of Wales was still in huge difficulties and both Prinz Eugen and Bismarck kept on firing on her, but now, due to the aircraft alarm on Bismarck and the torpedo alarm on Prinz Eugen, both German ships had turned hard to starboard loosing firing range and now sailing away from her.

In addition the smoke screen slowly started to be effective, partially covering the Prince of Wales.

Distance increased (more than 14.000 meters), German ships fire was now less accurate and Prinz Eugen has not launched any torpedo against Prince of Wales. The most difficult moment was over. Instead of being under killing fire from a very short distance by both enemy ships and maybe targeted by torpedo, now she has a chance to escape sailing south-east.

Bismarck was on Prinz Eugen's starboard and both German Ships was sailing a western course now, increasing distance to Prince of Wales.

Prinz Eugen had just sharply turned to starboard too.

Bismarck fired 2 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D) or the 10th full salvo at Prince of Wales and scored the last of her 4 hits from 15.500 meters on the British ship, it hit the Walrus aircraft crane.

Prinz Eugen fired 2 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D) so 18th salvo at Prince of Wales after having adjusted range due to the 1st sharp turn and scores again from 14.500 meters for the last time 2 hits (2nd and 3rd), again on the stern and on a 133 mm turret ammunition deposit, the shell did not explode.

Prince of Wales kept firing (2nd salvo) with Y turret (aft) on local control, shell splashes not very close to Bismarck.

Hood was gone.

Norfolk now sailed south-west following and shadowed the German ships from 21.000 meters.

Suffolk still on the horizon but out of the dispute at 28.000 meters (30.600 yards).

At 0605 Prince of Wales was now much safer at 15.000 meters from Prinz Eugen and 16.000 meters from Bismarck. The distances increased progressively.

The developing smoke screen now even more covered the British ship.

Fire from German ships was now less and less accurate. Bismarck was on Prinz Eugen's starboard.

Bismarck fired 2 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D) or the 11th full salvo against Prince of Wales.

Prinz Eugen fired 2 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D) so 19th salvo against Prince of Wales. Then it had to adjust range again due to another sharp turn.

Prince of Wales kept on firing (3rd salvo) with Y turret (aft) on local control, shell splashes not very close to Bismarck.

Norfolk still sailed south-west following and shadowed the German ships from more than 21.000 meters.

Suffolk still on the horizon but out of the dispute at 28.000 meters (30.600 yards).

At 0606 Prince of Wales was now at more than 16.000 meters from Prinz Eugen and 17.000 meters from Bismarck.

Smoke screen increased at Prince of Wales aft.

Fire from German ships was now less and less accurate. Bismarck started a turn to south coming back closing distances to Prince of Wales again.

Bismarck fired 1 semi-salvo (A+B) or the half- 12th full salvo to Prince of Wales.

Prinz Eugen fired 2 semi-salvos (A+B and C+D) or 20th salvo at Prince of Wales than had to adjust range due to the sharp turn, after these shots the A+B turrets of Prinz Eugen stopped firing because of the bearing.

Prince of Wales had ceased fire.

Norfolk still sailed south-west following and shadowed the German ships from more than 21.000 meters.

Suffolk still on the horizon but out of the dispute at 28.000 meters (30.600 yards).

At 0607 Prince of Wales was now more than 17.000 meters from Prinz Eugen and 18.000 meters from Bismarck, smoke screen increased.

Fire from German ships was now less and less accurate and intense. Bismarck was sailing south and kept on firing slowly now.

Prinz Eugen passed on Bismarck's starboard side, just in front of Bismarck going south and issued another torpedo alarm.

Bismarck fired 1 semi-salvo (C+D) or the half-12th full salvo against Prince of Wales.

Prinz Eugen fired 2 semi-salvos (C+D and C+D ) or 21st salvo to Prince of Wales, Kpt Ltnt Jasper had just passed control to aft firing control and stopped shooting with front turrets (A+B) or after the 28th semi-salvo on Prince of Wales.

Norfolk still sailed south-west following and shadowed the German ships from 21.500 meters.

Suffolk still on the horizon but out of the dispute at 28.000 meters (30.600 yards).

At 0608 Prince of Wales was now more than 18.000 meters from both Prinz Eugen and Bismarck and smoke screen protected her retreat.

Fire from German ships was now less and less accurate and intense. Bismarck was sailing south, crossing Prinz Eugen's track and kept on firing.

Prinz Eugen was now on Bismarck's starboard, for the first time she was not the closest German unit to the British battleship.

Bismarck fired 1 semi-salvo (A+B) or the half- 13th full salvo to Prince of Wales.

Prinz Eugen fired 2 semi-salvos (C+D and C+D) or 22nd salvo to Prince of Wales.

Norfolk still sailed south-west following and shadowed the German ships from 21.500 meters.

Suffolk still on the horizon but out of the dispute at 28.000 meters (30.600 yards).

At 0609 Prince of Wales was now more than 18.500 meters from Bismarck and 19.000 meters from Prinz Eugen and now the smoke screen started to cover entirely the British battleship.

Fire from German ships was now less and less accurate and intense and it would soon end.

Bismarck was heading south and preparred to overtake the Prinz Eugen.

Prinz Eugen received the order not to overshoot Bismarck that was passing Prinz Eugen's line of fire and immediately after she received the order to cease fire.

Bismarck fired 1 semi-salvo (C+D) or the half- 13th full salvo at Prince of Wales, then ceased fire.

Prinz Eugen fired 2 semi-salvos (C+D and C+D) or 23rd salvo to Prince of Wales, then ceased fire.

Norfolk still sailed south-west following and shadowed the German ships from 21.500 meters.

Suffolk still on the horizon but out of the dispute at 28.000 meters (30.600 yards).

Bismarck's commander, Captain Ernst Lindemann wanted to finish off the Prince of Wales. Lütjens realised that to pursue the Prince of Wales would be contrary to his standing orders to avoid any engagement with enemy naval units except those defending Allied convoys. He also had to consider that any pursuit could lead the German squadron closer to other British naval units that were undoubtedly on their way to intercept the Bismarck, risking the lives of his ships and crews on a venture that had been expressly forbidden.

At 0610 The battle was over. All ships had ceased fire.

Bismarck had received 3 hits from Prince of Wales.

Prince of Wales had received 7 hits (4 from Bismarck and 3 from Prinz Eugen).

Prinz Eugen had not suffered any damage.

Norfolk and Suffolk had not been targeted by the German ships.

Prinz Eugen was speeding up to her maximum speed to take the lead on Bismarck.