Germany: The Bismarck
The German ship Bismarck was built when the Germans were just gearing up for the war and building up their navy. It was commissioned to be built in 1935, but the most powerful warship in the world was not completed until about 6 years later after the start of World War II. This ship was massive, weighing a hefty 41,700 tons. This ship was to possess 15 inch guns (Simkin, "Bismarck").
As this powerful ship went about its work, it soon became a target of ships belonging to Allied countries (Simkin, John). When the Bismarck set out for Norway on May 22, 1941, accompanied by the Prinz Eugene, the British Navy began at once to shut down their opponents. The large enemy ship was soon located by British forces. Soon, fighting broke out between the Germans and the British. In this conflict, the HMS Hood and the HMS Prince of Wales were defeated by the German ships. After the HMS Hood was hit, the HMS Prince of Wales soon retreated. Although left alone, the Bismarck was not left without damage. During the confrontation, the fuel tank of the Bismarck was damaged (“World War II: Bismarck”).
After an ineffective British aircraft attack on the Bismarck, the British navy finally made some headway when the HMS Ark Royal scored a major hit against the Germans, jamming the steering mechanism of their biggest battleship. It wasn’t until the next day that the final attack sunk that Bismarck for good. The final attack of the Bismarck was devastating as nearly 2,000 German soldiers were killed. The survivors number only 110 crew members (“World War II: Bismarck”).
As this powerful ship went about its work, it soon became a target of ships belonging to Allied countries (Simkin, John). When the Bismarck set out for Norway on May 22, 1941, accompanied by the Prinz Eugene, the British Navy began at once to shut down their opponents. The large enemy ship was soon located by British forces. Soon, fighting broke out between the Germans and the British. In this conflict, the HMS Hood and the HMS Prince of Wales were defeated by the German ships. After the HMS Hood was hit, the HMS Prince of Wales soon retreated. Although left alone, the Bismarck was not left without damage. During the confrontation, the fuel tank of the Bismarck was damaged (“World War II: Bismarck”).
After an ineffective British aircraft attack on the Bismarck, the British navy finally made some headway when the HMS Ark Royal scored a major hit against the Germans, jamming the steering mechanism of their biggest battleship. It wasn’t until the next day that the final attack sunk that Bismarck for good. The final attack of the Bismarck was devastating as nearly 2,000 German soldiers were killed. The survivors number only 110 crew members (“World War II: Bismarck”).
Japan: Yamato Battleship
Keiji Fukuda was the person in charge of designing Japanese Yamato Battleship. The Japanese sought to build a navy with larger ships to rival those of other nations. This ship was built in secret as to surprise other nations of their power. November 4, 1937 marks the day which construction of this ship began. The Yamato was a massive ship sporting 18.1 inch guns. Because of its size, 27 knots was the fastest speed at which this ship could go. On December 16, 1941, Yamato was finally complete and ready to begin its work in World War II (“World War II: Battleship Yamato”).
The Yamato was a part of the Battle of Midway, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The Yamato battleship continued its career until Operation Ten-Go was carried out. The operation was to take the ships to Okinawa where its guns would be put to use. Eight destroyer ships and one cruiser accompanied the Yamato on this mission. The party was soon detected by Allied forces. It wasn’t until April 7, 1945 when catastrophe finally struck the Yamato. United States dive bombers attacked in three different waves and shortly after, the Yamato was finished. There were only 280 survivors of the 2,778 member crew (“World War II: Battleship Yamato”).
The Yamato was a part of the Battle of Midway, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The Yamato battleship continued its career until Operation Ten-Go was carried out. The operation was to take the ships to Okinawa where its guns would be put to use. Eight destroyer ships and one cruiser accompanied the Yamato on this mission. The party was soon detected by Allied forces. It wasn’t until April 7, 1945 when catastrophe finally struck the Yamato. United States dive bombers attacked in three different waves and shortly after, the Yamato was finished. There were only 280 survivors of the 2,778 member crew (“World War II: Battleship Yamato”).
Great Britain: HMS Rodney
The HMS Rodney was laid down on December 28, 1922. The HMS Rodney began her work years before World War II started. As the war began, the HMS Rodney only continued her work. A close call came when a bomb was dropped on the ship. The ship miraculously survived to fulfill its work in the war, even partaking in the downfall of the mighty German battleship, the Bismarck. Her career was long throughout the war, for the ship traveled 156,000 nautical miles between 1942 and 1945. It wasn’t until after the war that it was decided the ship would be unable to contribute to the Royal Navy any longer due to its condition. Shortly after, it was scraped (“Battleship HMS Rodney (29)”).
United States: USS Hornet
The USS Hornet which fought in World War II was the seventh ship in the United States Navy to be named Hornet (“Legacy of Shops Named Hornet – USS Hornet Museum”). When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the USS Hornet was on its first cruise. This same ship was later used to launch the Doolite Raids which were a mission to retaliate back at the Japanese by bombing Tokyo. A major battle that the USS Hornet was a part of was the Battle of Midway. It was not until the Battle of Santa Cruz that the USS Hornet was sunk. The date was October 27, 1942 (Simkin, "Aircraft Carrier Hornet").
Page By: SJL