76 years ago today
 

Bismarck was sunk on her maiden voyage after a remarkable chase. Her short history had all the ingredients of a work of fiction - except that it was true. The Royal Navy, the Fleet Air Arm and land-based air combined as never before to sink this beautiful monster in an action that involved a massive loss of life on both sides. Mistakes were made by all the key players but the job was done.
What can you say about the Swordfish crews? I read that the "Stringbag" only entered service in 1937.
Some rare colour film of HMS Hood in 1939:

It's sobering to think that almost all those seen on that film died less than two years later.