Hunt the Bismarck: The pursuit of Germany's most famous battleship

Description

A ground-breaking narrative account of one of World War II's most exciting chase stories, the pursuit of the legendary German battleship Bismarck. Hunt the Bismarck tells the story of Operation Rheinubung, the Atlantic sortie of Nazi Germany's largest battleship, Bismarck, in May 1941 and her subsequent pursuit by the Royal Navy. Bismarck entered naval service in the summer of 1940. She was well-armed, with eight 15in guns as well as a powerful array of lighter weapons, while her armoured protection earned her the reputation of being unsinkable. This claim was put to the test in May 1941 when she sortied into the Atlantic and fought the legendary battle of the Denmark Strait, destroying HMS Hood, the pride of the Royal Navy. Bismarck was now loose in the North Atlantic. However, damage sustained in the battle limited her ability to roam at will, and the Royal Navy deployed the Home Fleet to avenge the sinking of the Hood. The stage was set for the greatest chase story in the history of naval warfare. Drawing on a wealth of first-hand accounts and intertwining extensive research into a fast-paced narrative, this is the most readable and accurate account of Bismarck's epic pursuit ever produced.

Angus Konstam is a renowned historian, and the author of over a hundred books, many of which are published by Osprey. These include the Osprey Campaign title The Bismarck 1941, and several New Vanguard titles covering British warships of World War II. His other naval books include Jutland 1916: Twelve Hours to Win the War, The Battle of North Cape, Sovereigns of the Sea, Battleship Bismarck and The Pirate World. A former naval officer, maritime archaeologist and museum curator, he is now a full-time author, specialising in maritime and military history. He lives in Orkney, beside the Royal Navy's great wartime anchorage of Scapa Flow.

A riveting account of Bismarck's famous encounter with HMS Hood and its ultimate destruction. * History of War magazine * Angus Konstam vividly unpacks an epic episode from the history of naval warfare in Hunt the Bismarck... Konstam mixes exhaustive research with participants first-hand accounts in a lively, well-written narrative. * Toy Soldier & Model Figure *