Q&A · 53:30-56:30

A rebuilt Hood changes the hunt for Bismarck

Hood would miss the battle, while a much larger force built around two King George V battleships, Renown, Ark Royal, Victorious, and cruisers could converge on Bismarck.

Question

What if turbine damage forced Hood into a major rebuild before the Denmark Strait battle?

Short answer

Hood would miss the battle, while a much larger force built around two King George V battleships, Renown, Ark Royal, Victorious, and cruisers could converge on Bismarck.

Notes

Removing Hood from service could keep King George V and Prince of Wales together instead of splitting them. Renown and Ark Royal might be recalled, with Victorious adding another carrier air group. Tovey could command the battleships and carriers while Somerville handled Renown and the cruisers. Bismarck would then face repeated air strikes and several heavy ships from different directions, leaving no safe choice of target. Prinz Eugen's best plausible escape would still involve dealing with Renown and two County-class cruisers.