How might Operation Rheinubung change if Wilhelm Marschall commanded instead of Gunther Lutjens?
Short answerMarschall would probably press the Denmark Strait success briefly and then withdraw Bismarck home before the Royal Navy could trap her.
NotesMarschall's earlier operations followed a pattern of striking, achieving a result, and withdrawing before superior British forces could concentrate. He might chase Prince of Wales longer than would be prudent after Denmark Strait. Even so, his established command instinct suggests that he would abandon the commerce-raiding mission once Bismarck had won a major tactical success. Bringing the ship home would preserve the victory and force Britain to continue treating her as an active strategic threat.