The German battleship Bismarck was one of the most known warships of World War II, launched in 1939. Weighing over 50,000 tons fully loaded and armed with eight 15-inch guns, she was designed to disrupt Allied shipping in the North Atlantic. Her brief but dramatic career in May 1941, code-named Operation Rheinübung, aimed to raid convoys.

During her maiden voyage, Bismarck achieved a significant victory, sinking the pride of the British Royal Navy, HMS Hood, in the Battle of the Denmark Strait on May 24, 1941. However, Bismarck also sustained damage in the engagement. A relentless pursuit by the Royal Navy ensued, involving numerous ships and aircraft. On May 26, a critical torpedo hit from a Fairey Swordfish biplane crippled her steering gear. The following morning, May 27, British battleships and cruisers engaged the unmaneuverable Bismarck, ultimately leading to her scuttling by her own crew and sinking. Of her over 2,200 crew, only about 115 survived. The sinking of the Bismarck was a major morale boost for the Allies and highlighted the growing importance of air power in naval warfare.