Bismarck

0.6.9.1.1

Bismarck

Battleship | Germany | Tier VIII

Tech Tree Position

stock

 top

General

Research price135000 exp

Purchase price11 000 000

Hit Points64 500

Aircraft

Main Battery

380 mm L/52 SK C/344 х 2 pcs.

Rate of Fire2.31 shots/min.

Reload Time26 sec.

Rotation Speed5 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time36 sec.

Firing Range19.28 km.

Maximum Dispersion272 m.

HE Shell380 mm Spr.Gr. L/4.6

Maximum HE Shell Damage4400

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell34 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity820 m./s.

HE Shell Weight800 kg.

AP Shell380 mm P.Spr.Gr. L/4.4

Maximum AP Shell Damage11 600

Initial AP Shell Velocity820 m./s.

AP Shell Weight800 kg.

Secondary Armament #1

150 mm L/55 SK C/284 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range7.5 km.

Rate of Fire8 shots/min.

Reload Time7.5 sec.

HE Shell150 mm Spr.Gr. L/4.5

Maximum HE Shell Damage1700

Initial HE Shell Velocity875 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel8 %

Secondary Armament #2

105 mm L/65 Dop. L. C/314 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range7.5 km.

Rate of Fire17.91 shots/min.

Reload Time3.35 sec.

HE Shell105 mm Spr.Gr. Kz.

Maximum HE Shell Damage1200

Initial HE Shell Velocity900 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel5 %

Secondary Armament #3

105 mm L/65 Dop. L. C/374 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range7.5 km.

Rate of Fire17.91 shots/min.

Reload Time3.35 sec.

HE Shell105 mm Spr.Gr. Kz.

Maximum HE Shell Damage1200

Initial HE Shell Velocity900 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel5 %

Secondary Armament #4

150 mm L/55 SK C/282 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range7.5 km.

Rate of Fire8 shots/min.

Reload Time7.5 sec.

HE Shell150 mm Spr.Gr. L/4.5

Maximum HE Shell Damage1700

Initial HE Shell Velocity875 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel8 %

AA Defense

20 mm Flak 3812 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second36

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

37 mm Flakzwilling 308 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second20.8

. . . Firing Range3.51 km.

20 mm Flakvierling 382 х 4 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second12

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

105 mm L/65 Dop. L. C/314 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second66.4

. . . Firing Range4.5 km.

105 mm L/65 Dop. L. C/374 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second66.8

. . . Firing Range4.5 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed28.52 knot

Turning Circle Radius850 m.

Rudder Shift Time22.4 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range16.38 km.

Air Detectability Range14.67 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

0.6.9.1.1

Bismarck

Battleship | Germany | Tier VIII

Tech Tree Position

stock

 top

General

Research price135000 exp

Purchase price11 000 000

Hit Points69 200

Aircraft

Main Battery

380 mm L/52 SK C/344 х 2 pcs.

Rate of Fire2.31 shots/min.

Reload Time26 sec.

Rotation Speed5 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time36 sec.

Firing Range21.21 km.

Maximum Dispersion272 m.

HE Shell380 mm Spr.Gr. L/4.6

Maximum HE Shell Damage4400

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell34 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity820 m./s.

HE Shell Weight800 kg.

AP Shell380 mm P.Spr.Gr. L/4.4

Maximum AP Shell Damage11 600

Initial AP Shell Velocity820 m./s.

AP Shell Weight800 kg.

Secondary Armament #1

150 mm L/55 SK C/284 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range7.5 km.

Rate of Fire8 shots/min.

Reload Time7.5 sec.

HE Shell150 mm Spr.Gr. L/4.5

Maximum HE Shell Damage1700

Initial HE Shell Velocity875 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel8 %

Secondary Armament #2

105 mm L/65 Dop. L. C/376 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range7.5 km.

Rate of Fire17.91 shots/min.

Reload Time3.35 sec.

HE Shell105 mm Spr.Gr. Kz.

Maximum HE Shell Damage1200

Initial HE Shell Velocity900 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel5 %

Secondary Armament #3

150 mm L/55 SK C/282 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range7.5 km.

Rate of Fire8 shots/min.

Reload Time7.5 sec.

HE Shell150 mm Spr.Gr. L/4.5

Maximum HE Shell Damage1700

Initial HE Shell Velocity875 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel8 %

Secondary Armament #4

105 mm L/65 Dop. L. C/312 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range7.5 km.

Rate of Fire17.91 shots/min.

Reload Time3.35 sec.

HE Shell105 mm Spr.Gr. Kz.

Maximum HE Shell Damage1200

Initial HE Shell Velocity900 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel5 %

AA Defense

20 mm Flakvierling 3816 х 4 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second96

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

37 mm Flak LM/4210 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second103

. . . Firing Range3.51 km.

20 mm Flak 3814 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second42

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

105 mm L/65 Dop. L. C/376 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second100.2

. . . Firing Range4.5 km.

105 mm L/65 Dop. L. C/312 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second33.2

. . . Firing Range4.5 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed31 knot

Turning Circle Radius850 m.

Rudder Shift Time16 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range16.38 km.

Air Detectability Range14.67 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

VIII

11 000 000

Bismarck — German Tier VIII battleship.

By the start of World War II, Bismarck was one of the mightiest battleships in the world, owing to her advanced gun fire control system and powerful artillery. Rugged construction — coupled with elaborate subdivision into compartments and a vast expanse of armor — ensured a high level of endurance.

Modules

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	180 Degree Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Dispersion (m)	Maximum HE Shell Damage (HP)	Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell (%)	Maximum AP Shell Damage (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
380 mm/52 SK C/34 en una montura Drh LC/34	2,3	36	272	4400	34	11 600		0	1 100 000

	Hit Points (HP)	Armor (mm)	Armor (mm)	Main Turrets (pcs.)	Secondary Gun Turrets (pcs.)	AA Mounts (pcs.)	Torpedo Tubes (pcs.)	Hangar Capacity (pcs.)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Bismarck (A)	64 500	19	360	4	6/8	8/8/12/2				0	1 650 000
Bismarck (B)	69 200	19	360	4	6/8	10/14/16				52 000	3 900 000

	Firing Range Increase (%)	Maximum Firing Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
FKS Typ 8 Mod. 1	0	19,3		0	600 000
FKS Typ 8 Mod. 2	10	21,2		23 500	1 500 000

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsión: 150 100 CV	28,5		0	380 000
Propulsión: 163 000 CV	31		15 500	900 000

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM030_MainWeapon_Mod_I_bb1e79efbcc73dfa03a6dd5ae173566ee691b77e3a6587389d6f7ea07eb03588.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del armamento principal|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0armamento_principal]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM031_SecondaryWeapon_Mod_I_5369d8b071df59a515906433ea1fff10a55841495258bcd04d3365467e61e4af.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del armamento auxiliar|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0armamento_auxiliar]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM032_PowderMagazine_Mod_I_9607d8ec91ddcca4a95443845b888fbd9de4cd81df5a30a199d400657a552017.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de la santabárbara|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_la.C2.A0santab.C3.A1rbara]]
Slot 2	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM006_MainGun_Mod_II_bffc35efc4e090487fd6110a10a2be1f5d51b7918303f724194817e698055412.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 2 de la batería principal|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A02_de_la.C2.A0bater.C3.ADa_principal]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM012_SecondaryGun_Mod_II_c87da07dc4aebb94da59f3df3f8c2934279decb9677334a1a7e4b1f1c9f9ad04.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de la batería secundaria|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_la.C2.A0bater.C3.ADa_secundaria]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM018_AirDefense_Mod_III_d3f357c6dc4e5e627a86e17a16432cb38da32bb1b7999b4a7852371491511770.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de los cañones AA|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_los.C2.A0ca.C3.B1ones_AA]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM033_Guidance_Mod_I_10c7521afe2d577c42618dd04cf6834f2be78cf6b64503844cf87793a5816484.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de los sistemas de tiro|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_los.C2.A0sistemas_de_tiro]]
Slot 4	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM020_DamageControl_Mod_I_bbc708467bc8f1e6264ac88fb8999ea40660e4b0b94b59ab7b3f1a8b60539ed8.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del sistema de control de daños|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0sistema_de_control_de_da.C3.B1os]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM069_Movement_Mod_I_ca8429dcc45fdad36cdd474a13e5a289d6f7cf27ae32c9f30d42b72b9db493af.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Protección de la sala de máquinas|link=Ship:Upgrades#Protecci.C3.B3n_de_la_sala_de_m.C3.A1quinas]]
Slot 5	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM023_DamageControl_Mod_II_3c6aea0c5bccc94f1d8f1fa52662232afa007d784638ce6e981c8ad3457c63fa.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 2 del sistema de control de daños|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A02_del.C2.A0sistema_de_control_de_da.C3.B1os]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM024_Engine_Mod_II_4b4f4c217cf5cf580f47ccbbf76ecede110c5143055c55ab45a82d19e87423fb.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de la propulsión|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_la.C2.A0propulsi.C3.B3n]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM025_SteeringGear_Mod_II_523c86ce4c7d228e73ee3d2cb406f4d78a205aa2453fec45b0925dec519bf7c5.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del aparato de gobierno|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0aparato_de_gobierno]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM087_AirSupport_Mod_I_d26ea96903bf2c47669142777cfa61b0285e652ce26304ed9502bc8de35d0ded.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del ataque aéreo|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del_ataque_a.C3.A9reo]]
Slot 6	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM026_LookoutStation_Mod_I_9bdab08af77f5c612cec2a357353f7b60d37118aaab4763721dd53230f68943b.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Sistema de vigilancia de torpedos|link=Ship:Upgrades#Sistema_de_vigilancia_de_torpedos]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM027_ConcealmentMeasures_Mod_I_bda1386ab237032301b6273e655a1998de5bfb50e2c8e59124c8a93d73093f0a.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del sistema de ocultación|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0sistema_de_ocultaci.C3.B3n]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM072_AbilityWorktimeBoost_Mod_I_e6323cc6cf2a0c16e8a3a3ca4db0ceaebbdb868447435dbafea6f580b66ff101.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de los consumibles del barco|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_los_consumibles_del_barco]]

Player Opinion

Performance

The historical pinnacle of German battleship construction, Bismarck stands as one of the heartiest battleships at Tier VIII. While her main battery may not look as impressive of that of Amagi and she doesn't have North Carolina’s range — or even her sister Tirpitz’s torpedoes — Bismarck has the perfect mix of ingredients to make her an excellent brawler.

For starters, her secondary battery is the most impressive of all the Tier VIII battleships. It comes with a stock range of 7km, and with the right mix of modules and commander skills can be pushed to a range of over 10.5km, almost equivalent to the range of a similarly-equipped Yamato. This creates a large radius around her which enemy units must respect or pay a hefty price. Additionally, her handling is superb for a ship her size; she's quick to respond to rudder commands, and her turning circle is better than that of Amagi. Easily the most impressive thing about Bismarck is her survivability. Like her sister Tirpitz, she is exceptionally difficult to land citadel hits against; only long-range plunging fire has a good chance of doing so. The closer she gets, the better her armor scheme protects her from incoming fire. She will take more than her fair share of regular penetration damage from enemy armor-piercing rounds, but that damage repairs better than citadel damage.

Bismarck has another trick up her sleeve that sets her apart from Tirpitz: access to the Hydroacoustic Search consumable. This provides her with large windows of time where she is functionally immune to long range torpedoes, and also provides detection of enemy ships hidden in Smoke Screens when pushing into capture zones.

When all of that is paired with an above-average anti-aircraft suite, Bismarck is a very well-rounded, highly survivable battleship that is friendly to players of all skill levels.

Ship Review: Mouse in the Bismarck from the NA forums. Tested in patch 0.5.10

Pros:

• Outstanding secondary battery. With the right upgrades and commander skills, her secondary battery range can be extended past 10.5km, allowing Bismarck to whittle down enemy ships before closing in for the kill.
• Very decent dispersion on her secondaries.
• Has access to the Hydroacoustic Search consumable, making her very difficult to torpedo from long range.
• Reminiscent of earlier battleship gameplay: the closer she gets, the more dangerous she becomes to her enemies.
• Above average anti-aircraft suite.
• Surprisingly nimble for a battleship of her size, with an excellent top speed (30 knots).
• Exceptionally durable with a good armor layout; has the vaunted "turtleback" armor.
• Virtually impossible to citadel.
• Has access to Hydro-acoustic search. The time intervals have gotten better.

Cons:

• No torpedoes like those found on her sister Tirpitz.
• Only has eight (8) barrels, while every other ship at this tier has nine (9) or more of a higher caliber.
• 15-inch guns have trouble with angled enemy battleships (use HE against the superstructure or choose a different target).
• Her anti-aircraft can be destroyed with sustained HE spam.
• Extremely vulnerable to fires. Superstructures can be set on fire by calibers of any size quite easily.
• The only true armor is her hull and her guns. The situation is her superstructure is low riding and rather hard yo hit at a distance. But it is not armored nearly as much as it should be. Which leads to BE spam setting her on fire.
• Like Tirpitz showing your broadside can be lights out.
• Turns like a concrete fridge.

Research

Hull (B) is the best thing for players to research first, as it maximizes her anti-aircraft armament and provides additional hit points. The propulsion upgrade is the next best module to invest experience gains in; having all 31 knots to play with gives Bismarck more flexibility to close with the enemy or respond to new threats as required.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

Secondary Battery Build: The most common build for Bismarck will maximize her secondary battery by equipping Secondary Battery Mod 2, along with the usual suspects for battleships: Main Armaments Mod 1 and Damage Control Mod 1. Upgrade Slot 5 offers an interesting choice between Steering Gears Mod 2 and Damage Control Mod 2 that is left to individual captains; Upgrade Slot 6 is likewise captain's choice.

Anti-Aircraft Build: Another possible build is to maximize Bismarck’s AA suite; it is similar to the Secondary Battery Build above, but uses AA Mod 2 in Upgrade Slot 2. Players wishing to minimize their vulnerability to enemy aircraft should equip Concealment System Mod 1 in Upgrade Slot 6.

Commander Skills

Secondary Battery Build: Following along with the theme of maximizing the punishment dished out by Bismarck’s secondaries, captains should invest in Basic Firing Training, Expert Marskman, Superintendent, and Advanced Firing Training. Manual Control for Secondary Armament is a strong skill in this build, but it only allows the ship's secondaries to fire at a single target at a time. Some captains will prefer this skill; others will not. Extra skill points should be invested in either Basics of Survivability, High Alert, or Vigilance, as desired.

Anti-Aircraft Build: Similar to the secondary-focused build, Basic Firing Training, Expert Marskman, Superintendent, and Advanced Firing Training form the core of the commander skills. Captains then double up on Level 4 skills and pick up Manual Fire Control for AA Armament. German long-range AA batteries are all in excess of 85mm, allowing them to make good use of the skill and dish out extreme punishment to enemy aircraft.

Recommended Commander Skills
Cost (points)	Endurance		Attack		Support		Versatility
1	Priority Target Situational Awareness indicator will show the number of opponents currently aiming at you with main battery guns. ★★	Preventative Maintenance -30% to the risk of incapacitation of modules. ★	Expert Loader -50% to reload time when shell type is switched. ★	Aircraft Servicing Expert +5% to HP of carrier-based aircraft. -10% to servicing time of carrier-based aircraft.	Direction Center for Catapult Aircraft +1 catapult aircraft. -20% to the speed of catapult aircraft. ★★	Dogfighting Expert +10% to average damage per second of fighter for each tier of difference between them. +10% to fighters ammunition.	Incoming Fire Alert Indicator of long-range enemy artillery fire.	Evasive Maneuver -20% to detectability of strike aircraft when returning to the carrier. +75% to HP of strike aircraft when returning to the carrier. -30% to airspeed of strike aircraft when returning to the carrier.
2	High Alert -10% to reload time of Damage Control Party consumable. ★	Jack of All Trades -5% to reload time of all consumables. ★★	Expert Marksman +2.5 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber up to 139mm. +0.7 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber above 139mm. ★★	Torpedo Acceleration +5 knots to torpedo speed. -20% to torpedo range.	Smoke Screen Expert +20% to the radius of the smoke screen.	Expert Rear Gunner +10% to average damage per second of self-defense armament for aircraft with rear gunners.	Adrenaline Rush -0.2% to reload times of all types of armament for each 1% of total health lost. ★★★	Last Stand The ship remains able to move and maneuver while the engine or steering gears are incapacitated.
3	Basics of Survivability -15% to time of repair, fire extinguishing, and recovery from flooding. ★★	Survivability Expert +350 HP for each ship tier.	Torpedo Armament Expertise -10% to reload time of torpedo tubes. -20% to servicing time of torpedo bombers.	Emergency Takeoff Makes it possible to launch and recover aircraft while the ship is on fire. +100% to aircraft servicing time while aircraft carrier is on fire.	Basic Firing Training -10% to reload time of main battery guns with a caliber up to and including 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +20% to average damage per second of AA defense. ★★	Superintendent +1 additional charge to all consumables mounted on a ship. ★★★	Demolition Expert +2% to chance of fire on a target caused by a main caliber shell, secondary shell, or bomb. ★	Vigilance +25% to detection range of enemy torpedoes. ★
4	Manual Fire Control for Secondary Armament -15% to the maximum dispersion of shells for the secondary armament of Tier I-VI ships. -60% to the maximum dispersion of shells for the secondary armament of Tier VII-X ships. ★★★	Fire Prevention -7% to the risk of fire. The maximum number of fires on a ship is reduced to three. ★★	Inertia Fuse for HE Shells +30% to the armor penetration capacity of HE shells. -3% to chance of fire on target caused by HE shells.	Air Supremacy +1 fighter per squadron. +1 bomber per squadron.	Advanced Firing Training +20% to firing range of main battery guns with a caliber up to 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +20% to AA defense firing range. ★★★	Manual Fire Control for AA Armament +100% to average damage per second of AA guns with a caliber exceeding 85mm against a designated target. ★★	Radio Position Finding Shows the direction to the nearest enemy ship (that isn't an aircraft carrier). The enemy player is alerted that a bearing has been taken on their ship.	Concealment Expert -10% to the detection radius of destroyers. -12% to the detection radius of cruisers. -14% to the detection radius of battleships. -16% to the detection radius of aircraft carriers. ★★
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful       ★★ - Frequently Useful       ★ - Occasionally Useful      No stars - Not Useful

Consumables

Hydroacoustic Search is one of her true strengths and makes her unique in her tier; the premium version is highly recommended for the reduced cooldown. Repair Party II is also recommended for the quicker cooldown; a well-played Bismarck is likely to find herself under intense enemy fire and captains will want to have access to Repair Party as quickly as possible. The premium version of Damage Control Party is recommended for similar reasons.

Camouflage

Type 1, 2, or 5 camouflage can be equipped for credits; Types 2 or 5 are recommended at a minimum to reduce the accuracy of incoming shells.

Players who wish to spend doubloons can equip Bismarck with Type 18 camouflage that lowers her detection radius, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, reduces her repair costs, and increases the amount of experience she earns.

Signals

Players who have followed the Secondary Battery Build above will want to equip Mike Yankee Soxisix and India Delta signals in order to further boost the effectiveness of their secondaries and Repair Party consumable, respectively.

Players following the Anti-Aircraft Build may wish to equip November Echo Setteseven for the bonus to AA gun damage.

Recommended Signal Flags
Combat
November Echo Setteseven +10% average damage per second of all anti-aircraft mounts. +10% average damage per second of self-defense armament for aircraft with rear gunners. ★★	Mike Yankee Soxisix +5% to secondary battery maximum firing range. -5% to maximum dispersion of secondary battery shells. -5% to secondary battery loading time. ★★★	India X-Ray +1% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm. +0.5% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber below 160mm. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating. ★	Juliet Whiskey Unaone +15% chance of causing flooding. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating.	Victor Lima +1% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm. +0.5% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber below 160mm. +4% chance of flooding (against your ship). ★	Hotel Yankee -20% to damage received when ramming the enemy. +50% to damage dealt when ramming the enemy. ★
November Foxtrot -5% reload time on all consumables. ★★	Sierra Mike +5% to the ship's maximum speed. ★★★	India Delta +20% to the amount of HP recovered when the Repair Party consumable is used. ★★★	Juliet Yankee Bissotwo -20% to flooding duration. ★★	India Yankee -20% to fire duration. ★★	Juliet Charlie -100% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating.
Economic
Zulu +20% credits earned for the battle. ★★	India Bravo Terrathree -10% to the cost of the ship's post-battle repair.	Equal Speed Charlie London +50% XP earned for the battle. ★★★	Zulu Hotel +50% Commander XP earned for the battle. ★★	Papa Papa +300% Free XP earned for the battle.
Special
Wyvern +50% credits earned for the battle.	Red Dragon +100% XP earned for the battle. +100% Commander XP earned for the battle.	Dragon Flag +333% Commander XP earned for the battle. ★★	Ouroboros +777% Free XP earned for the battle.	Hydra +50% XP earned for the battle. +150% Commander XP earned for the battle. +250% Free XP earned for the battle.
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful       ★★ - Frequently Useful       ★ - Occasionally Useful      No stars - Not Useful

Gallery

Historical Info

Construction

Blohm and Voss Shipbuilding Company; Hamburg, Germany

Laid down: 1 July 1936

Launched: 14 February 1939

Commissioned: 24 August 1940

Specifications

41,700 tons displacement, standard

248m length

36m beam

8.7m draft

Machinery

12 boilers, 3 turbines

Performance

29 knots at 138,000 shaft horsepower

8,410nm at 15 knots

Armor

Main belt: 320mm mid, 60mm forward, 80mm aft

Upper belt: 145mm

Torpedo bulkhead: 45mm

Decks: 51mm main, 83-121mm armored deck, 102mm armored deck slopes

Bulkheads: 180-220mm

Barbettes and Turrets: 340mm barbette, 360mm face, 220mm side,
   320mm rear, 180mm roof, 102mm secondary turrets

Conning tower: 356mm

Armament

Main

Eight (4x2) 380mm guns

Secondary

Twelve (6x2) 150mm guns

Sixteen (8x2) 105mm guns

Anti-Aircraft

Sixteen (8x2) 37mm guns

Twelve (12x1) 20mm guns

Aircraft

Four (4) Arado Ar 196 floatplanes

History

Design

Bismarck was the first of two Bismarck-class battleships built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine. Named after Chancellor Otto von Bismarck — the primary force behind the unification of Germany in 1871 — the ship was laid down at the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg in July 1936 and launched in February 1939. Work was completed in August 1940, when she was commissioned into the German fleet. Bismarck and her sister ship Tirpitz were the largest battleships ever built by Germany, and two of the largest built by any European power.

Service

In the course of the warship's eight-month career under its sole commanding officer, Kapitän zur See Ernst Lindemann, Bismarck conducted only one offensive operation: Operation Rheinübung in May 1941. The ship, along with the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, was to break into the Atlantic Ocean and raid Allied shipping from North America to Great Britain. The British Admiralty learned of the sortie and ordered several ships to patrol the three possible break-out points into the Atlantic. Bismarck and Prinz Eugen were detected moving into the Denmark Strait by the HMS Suffolk and Norfolk on 23 May 1941 at approximately 19:22. Bismarck, the lead ship, went to action stations and Captain Lindemann announced at 20:30 to the crew “Feind in Sicht an Backbord, Schiff nimmt Gefecht auf! (Enemy sighted to port. Engage!)”. Bismarck fired several salvos but failed to score a direct hit. Heavily outgunned, the British cruisers retired to a safe distance and shadowed the Bismarck until reinforcements could arrive. Due to heavy vibration from the main guns firing, Bismarck’s forward radar failed. Admiral Lütjens ordered Prinz Eugen to take the lead position and provide radar coverage.

The following morning, Prinz Eugen detected a ship by hydrophone and at 05:45 sighted two ships which were initially misidentified as cruisers. The two ships were, in fact, the battlecruiser HMS Hood, pride of the Royal Navy, and HMS Prince of Wales, the newest battleship in the British arsenal (she was so new that she still had a variety of shipyard personnel on board testing and maintaining her machinery). At 05:53 the British battleships opened fire on the two German ships. The British admiral on board Hood had intended on targeting Bismarck first, but due to the change in the German battle line Hood targeted Prinz Eugen instead. The German force — on the orders of Admiral Lütjens — did not open fire. After roughly two minutes of fire, Captain Lindemann grew tired of not being given the order to open fire and issued the following directive: "Ich lasse mir doch nicht mein Schiff unter dem Arsch wegschießen. Feuererlaubnis! (I'm not letting my ship get shot out from under my arse. Open fire!)". At 06:01, the fifth salvo fired by Bismarck at a range of 18,000 meters (20,000 yards) struck Hood near her mainmast. The 380mm (15-inch) shell plunged through her decks and caused a magazine detonation. The resulting explosion broke Hood into three sections; she sank in a mere three minutes, taking all but three of her crew with her.

Bismarck and Prinz Eugen then turned their attention to the bewildered Prince of Wales. During this part of the engagement, Bismarck landed seven hits and took three damaging hits in return. Prince of Wales disengaged from the battle and the Bismarck and Prinz Eugen continued their mission. This engagement of 24 May 1941 became known as the Battle of the Denmark Strait and was an unqualified disaster for the Royal Navy.

The damage caused to Bismarck dictated that she return for repairs and that Prinz Eugen continue on into the open Atlantic to commence raiding. It has been reported that Admiral Lütjens and Captain Lindemann argued about which port to return to, with Lindemann advocating a course back through the Denmark Strait to return to Bergen, Norway. Lütjens overruled him and ordered a Bismarck to make for Saint Nazaire, France.

The destruction of Hood spurred a relentless pursuit by the Royal Navy involving dozens of warships, with Prime Minister Winston Churchill demanding that the Bismarck be sunk. Two days later, heading for the relative safety of occupied France, Bismarck was attacked by obsolescent Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bombers from the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal; one scored a hit that rendered the battleship's steering gear inoperable. In her final battle the following morning, Bismarck was neutralized by a sustained bombardment from a British fleet led by the British battleships HMS King George V and HMS Rodney. Bismarck was eventually scuttled by her crew, and sank with heavy loss of life. Most experts agree that the battle damage would have caused her to sink eventually, regardless.

The remains of Bismarck lie beneath 15,800 feet (4,800 meters) of water approximately 400 miles (650 km) west of Brest, France. The wreck was located in June 1989 by famed naval archaeologist Robert Ballard, and has since been further surveyed by several other expeditions. An expedition led by filmmaker in 2002 noted that despite the torpedo damage to Bismarck’s outer hull, none of the torpedoes that struck her had actually penetrated her protective torpedo bulkhead.

Historical Accuracy

• Hull (B) is ahistorical; Bismarck’s anti-aircraft complement was never upgraded.
• "The Last Conquest" camouflage has two large swastika on red banners on the deck of Bismarck (replaced with an Iron Cross for legal reasons): one on the bow and another on the stern. These markings were actually painted over prior to Operation Rheinübung.

Historical Gallery

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  The wappen (coat of arms) of Bismarck.

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  Launching ceremony of Bismarck, 14 February 1939.

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  Bismarck on trials in the summer of 1940; the rangefinders had not yet been installed.

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  Bismarck in 1940.

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  Bismarck in port in Hamburg.

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  3D rendering of Bismarck during Operation Rheinübung, May 1941.

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  Bismarck in the Baltic Sea — as seen from Prinz Eugen — departing Gotenhafen (now Gdynia, Poland), 19 May 1941.

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  Bismarck, photographed from Prinz Eugen, in the Baltic at the outset of Operation Rheinübung, 19 May 1941.

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  A British aerial reconnaissance photo taken by Flying Officer Michael Suckling shows Bismarck anchored in Norway, 22 May 1941.

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  Bismarck as seen from Prinz Eugen during the Battle of the Denmark Strait, 24 May 1941.

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  Bismarck firing her main battery during the Battle of the Denmark Strait, 24 May 1941.

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  A Swordfish returns to HMS Ark Royal after making a torpedo attack against Bismarck.

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  HMS Rodney firing on Bismarck, which can be seen burning in the distance, 27 May 1941.

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  HMS Dorsetshire picking up survivors following the sinking of Bismarck, 27 May 1941.

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  Painting by Ken Marschall depicting Argo exploring the wreck. Famed naval archaeologist Robert Ballard discovered the wreck of Bismarck in June 1989.

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  A 150mm turret, similar to those installed as secondary batteries aboard Bismarck.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Lindemann
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%BCnther_L%C3%BCtjens

Ships of Germany

Battleships