Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:20:46-2:21:00

Could Bismarck and Prinz Eugen return from the Mid-Atlantic?

A counterfactual separates reaching Atlantic commerce routes from surviving the Royal Navy's effort to prevent the German ships from returning to port.

Commerce RaidingGerman Battleship BismarckPrinz EugenRoyal Navy
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Question

If Bismarck and Prinz Eugen reached the Mid-Atlantic, what were their odds of returning to port?

Short answer

Not very good; they might reach the Atlantic, but the Royal Navy would do everything it could to prevent their return.

Notes

The ships might make it into the Mid-Atlantic, but their odds of returning safely were poor. Reaching the commerce lanes would not complete the operation. Bismarck and Prinz Eugen would still have to evade the Royal Navy during their withdrawal. Safe egress was a separate strategic problem from breaking into the Atlantic.