On his birthday, Lutjens used the limits of British radar and the cruisers' anti-submarine zigzags to break contact. He accelerated, turned behind the shadowers, and crossed their wake while they were at the far edge of their sweep. The manoeuvre demonstrated that the old torpedo-boat officer could still analyse an opponent and improvise tactically under pressure. He then undermined the success by transmitting long messages because he believed the British still possessed contact and distrusted Naval Group West's contrary assessment. Repeated reports about Hood and course changes gave British direction-finding stations useful bearings even when they could not determine an exact position. Damage to Bismarck, severed fuel lines, and the earlier decision not to refuel left him with shrinking options that shore command did not fully understand. Lutjens also expected the Royal Navy to use King George V to draw him toward Nelson or Rodney, mirroring the concentrated battle force he himself had wanted Germany to deploy. Poor information sharing and avoidable transmissions compromised an effective tactical manoeuvre.
Notable Point · 2:34:15-2:41:33
A successful radar escape compromised by radio traffic
Lutjens escaped the British radar screen with a well-timed turn, then revealed information through repeated transmissions because he did not believe contact had been broken.