Q&A ยท 1:22:46-1:23:25

How an inconclusive Denmark Strait action would be remembered

If neither side lost a ship at Denmark Strait, the action would be remembered chiefly as the opening stage of the hunt for a damaged Bismarck.

Question

How would the Battle of the Denmark Strait be remembered if both sides withdrew damaged and no ship sank?

Short answer

Mostly as the opening stage of the continuing hunt, because British forces would still pursue and probably destroy the damaged Bismarck.

Notes

The counterfactual leaves Hood, Prince of Wales, Bismarck, and Prinz Eugen damaged enough to break off without a sinking. The engagement itself would lose much of its later fame because no ship is destroyed there. A damaged Bismarck would still be hunted by HMS Victorious and HMS King George V. Denmark Strait would become the first phase of the operation that ultimately sank Bismarck.