Could Bismarck steer with a centered rudder?

Would Bismarck have had better luck using differential shaft speeds if her rudders were jammed straight ahead?

Somewhat, but her shaft and gearing arrangement made precise differential steering difficult and would still leave her slow and vulnerable.

Bismarck's three-shaft arrangement and cruising-efficient gearing made the small power adjustments needed for differential steering unusually awkward. A centered rudder would be better than one jammed hard over, but the center shaft might have to be stopped and speed would fall sharply. A badly damaged Bismarck would probably have turned for home earlier. If Norfolk and Suffolk joined the fight, their torpedo batteries could create damage well beyond the steering problem.