The Royal Navy's week long chase
of the formidable German battleship Bismarck culminated
in the foul evening weather of 26th May 1941. Despite the deck
of HMS Ark Royal pitching through 55 feet, S/Lt John Moffat was
one of fifteen Swordfish pilots who took off to attack Bismarck.
After 90 minutes of arduous and turbulent flying the Swordfish
found their quarry and dived through the intense anti-aircraft
fire to drop their torpedoes.
One of these hit and jammed Bismarck's rudder and condemned the
battleship to sail in slow circles.
The Royal Navy's own capital ships then closed in and pounded
Bismarck into a burning wreck.
Signed by three Swordfish pilots. |