Bismarck's wreck:1989-2002

Enjoy the video.

[stevenkreitlow]

I have a couple of 8”x10” photos of the Bismarck, and one of them is signed by Bruno Rsonca, one of the 118 survivors of the sinking. I talked to him at a gun show some years ago and bought the signed Bismarck picture and a signed 5x7 picture of himself, when he was on the light cruiser Karlsruhe. He was one of the last men rescued by the British. He told me he grabbed one of the rescue lines from a cruiser just as it started to move, due to a U-boat warning, and was able to hang on and get pulled aboard. On the Bismarck, he was part of the crew manning the aircraft catapult. Very interesting to talk to.

[jeffreyperretti]

It’s a grave remember that. I was stationed in northern Germany. And my German landlord was a crewman of the Bismarck. But never sailed on the cruise because of getting hospitalized l I showed him the VHS tape. He cried like a little baby, I gave him the tape. Most of his shipmates died during the battles.

[RichardTucker-xuic]

Wow, another well put together video with some astounding pictures that a landlubber tractor-trailer driver would never get to see if it wasn't for everyone involved in taking pictures and putting it together on a free YouTube channel. Thank you all so very much.

[whicker]

As a historian for over 55 years, I'd like to say as an American that even though these were Third Reich sailors, they were very brave ones. Imagine being shelled furiously by equally destructive British battleships while not being able to navigate; yet the crew never seemed to have panicked.

[jasonsmith]

it is amazing how the Bismarck looks sitting on the bottom of the ocean floor. RIP to all the sailors and the men who built her.

[williamlott]

As a US Navy veteran of 21+ years, I cannot but help feel a bond with these sailors, regardless of nationality. As a Boiler Technician I always knew that my position was extremely dangerous with our boiler rooms being partly below the waterline. That, coupled with the danger of high pressure steam and volatile boiler fuel, made me aware of how precarious our position was. Fortunately for me we never found ourselves in a situation like Bismarck. I do, however, salute those men for doing their duty. Darlington, South Carolina USA

[marknorris]

i have just finished building a model of Bismarck. 1:600 scale. Good build and I enjoyed doing it. It also taught me some more about how she was armed. I am now building her nemesis the Hood.

[paulmasterson]

Read “Battleship Bismarck” by Baron Burkhard von Mellenhiem-Rechburg. He was second gunnery officer, and the highest ranking survivor.

[MB-nnjw]

I have Ballard’s, Mearns’ and Cameron’s books and videos on the Bismarck, but I have never decided to compare damage reports/conclusions. A welcome video on the subject, and well put together. Thanks.

[rjspires]

My grandfather served in the Royal Navy during WWII. He didn't talk about with me or my brother about his time during the war. I understand now that suffered from what we call PTSD now. One day my brother made mention of TV program he had seen on Bismarck. He talked to us both about it that day. Showed use books that had about the Hood and Bismarck. He was very proud of what the Royal Navy did back than.

Never spoke about the war again after that.

[johnhough]

When posted to the New Zealand naval radio station Irirangi I occasionally chatted with an old guy (civilian technician) who apparently was radioman on one of the swordfish aircraft that hit Bismarck and ruined its day.
Asked about the event he had nothing much to say except that as they went over the beast he managed a glimpse, saw an officer on the uppers banging away at them with a pistol ... he said that act was what really brought it all home to him (and made it personal).

[darranweston]

My late Uncle was part of the battle and was based aboard HMS Ark Royal.

He was responsible for loading ammunition to the Stringbags (Swordfish)

[KuvDabGib]

"I dont have nothing to add" after you have opened a completely new page of history for me is great statement! Please keep doing this research about Bismarck or about any other ship you want.

[eugeneomalley]

It was Saturday 8th July 1989 at midnight. I was both navigator and duty watchman on board a sailing yactht on passage from the Azore islands to the Channel Islands. In the darkness ahead I noted a lit up "flotilla" which was not moving. My position was approximately N45 W17. I was puzzled. At the ocean depth at that position they could not be at anchor. Since they were stationary they were not fishing and since they were lit they were not military. As navigator I made a detailed log entry which included the precise location.
Your story resolves my quandary. I was most likely in the presence of the Ballard expedition.

[larryjohnson]

I learned a lot more from this video. I have read several books on the Bismarck, and you have shown me several hits not mentioned before. Now I have a much better understanding of the damage that she took before the British moved in and torpedoed the Bismarck before they left the area. Thank You so much.

[davidschroeder]

I was working in the Audio/video department, for the scientist I was working for, at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, back in the 90's. As I was performing my task, in walked Robert Ballard and Emory Kristoff, of the National Geographic magazine. It was an honor to meet both men, something I will never forget. On one of our standard 3 week sea voyages we deployed an instrumented catamaran off the outer banks of the Carolina's. I recall it mentioned that we passed either over, or near, the wreck of the Civil War ironclad Monitor.

[garyw]

This is a great video that sheds new light on an endlessly interesting subject. Thank you and Well Done!!!

[walterkronkitesleftshoe]

Due to Bismarck having an internal aftermost armoured bulkhead, Bismarck's stern was structurally a "transom" stern, that is her hull effectively ended with a flat latitudinal end bulkhead usually found in smaller warships such as destroyers. Onto this transom as you say a light hollow section that was not supported by structural longitudinal frames was bolted and welded. After the torpedo strike on the rudders which had weakened the "add on" section of the stern, as Bismarck began her final plunge the hydrodynamic force ripped the weakened end section from the structural part of Bismarck's hull.

[timandellenmoran]

Thanks, this was very insightful. Ballard certainly was the pioneer in the research!

[AllanNeaves-qnzr]

A very informative and interesting view of how a magnificent, mighty piece of design and engineering met it's end. Also, gave us time to consider the bravery of it's crew. Under heavy fire, losing the ability to stear a course away from the barrage, both above and below the water line. Brilliant video