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This first hand account of the sinking of the Bismark was written out by Mr. Walter Robert Downing (deceased) to his wife and family. It was discovered by his family members when cleaning out the contents of Mrs. Downing's house after she passed away. As a family friend a copy of the document was sent to me, as I am interested in the events of W.W.2. Mr. Downing began by noting:"It is to the interest of the reader to remember that owing to the fact that the Ship's company were "at Action Stations" throughout most of the trip, times and days may be a little in error".

On Wednesday 21 May 1940, units of the Home Fleet were dispatched without warning to an unknown destination, the remainder of the Fleet, were immediately placed at two hours notice for steam and remained in this condition for 24 hours.

Thursday:- The Fleet proceeded and it was not until a few hours later that they knew they were proceeding to intercept a German Battleshi, operating in the North Atlantic. At this stage of the operation the Fleet consisted of the "King George V", aircraft carrier Victorious", 4 Cruisers and 6 Destroyers, in addition, 1 Hudson Aircraft was escorting for the purpose of detecting submarines.

Friday:- The Fleet at this time had travelled hundreds of miles from land, the weather was very rough and credit should be given to the sturdy Destroyers who were screening the Battle Fleet. Unfortunately these Destroyers had to be sent to Iceland owing to lack of oil fuel, before the actual engagement.

Saturday 24 May 1940:- During the forenoon the Battle Cruiser "Repulse" was sighted with 23 Destroyers. Tragic news was received during the day. The "Hood" had been sunk by a lucky shot and very few men had been saved, This put the men in a very agressive mood, and had the odds been against them they would have willingly gone into action. Throughout the day the Cruisers "Suffolk" and "Norfolk" and the "Prince of Wales" were constantly sending enemy reports to the Commander-in-Chief, flying this flag in the "King George V" and due to these reports it was possible to send the "Victorious" and all the Cruisers to deliver an Arial torpedo attack which proved successful, but resulted in the loss of two fighters, (Aircraft). By this time the "King George V" and "Repulse" were gradually getting nearer to the "Bismark" but unfortunately owing to bad visibility during the night all touch with her was lost.The "Repulse" was despatched to Newfoundland to oil, this left the "King George V" alone with no idea of the position of the enemy, in terrible weather and with a very discouraged feeling among the ships company. D/F finally gave the indications of the position of the enemy, which now seemed to be making for a French Port. The "King George V" altered course and went in pursuit.

During the morning of Monday, "Catalina" aircraft sighted the "Bismark" and contact was established. The "King George V" altered course again and it also became known that the "Ark Royal" and "Renown" were in position to intercept the enemy. During the afternoon several attacks were made by the "Ark Royal's" torpedo aircraft, none of which was successful. By this time, shortage of fuel was becoming a problem to the "King George V". "Rodney" in company with several destroyers was sighted, speed was reduced to 23 knots. The shortage of fuel made made it necessary for the Battle Fleet to engage the enemy in the next 12 hours and that depended on a successful air attack. At 22:00 the hands turned in, still some 100 miles from the "Bismark". At 01:30 we were roused for action stations with the news that the enemy had been damaged by "Ark Royal's" arial torpedo's and was steaming towards us. They closed up gradually, but a nights action was though to be risky and we held off.In the meantime the fourth Destroyer Flotilla, in the early hours of the morning, delivered a torpedo attack, which was very successful.Four hits were recorded.

On Tuesday 27 May at 08:48 the enemy was sighted and the Battle Fleet proceeded to attack under the most favourable of conditions, they opened fire at twelve miles, the "Rodney" firing the first salvo. Only a few minutes lapsed before the 15" reply came from the "Bismark" she had made the "Rodney" her target. The first salvo fell astern of the "Rodney" by about 2000 yards, the second fell off to starboard, but abreast. We now opened outward together, "Rodney" to port, "King George V" to starboard, all the time we were slowly closing in and shortening the range.

We satisfied ourselves at 10,000 yards, pouring salvo after salvo of our 14" shells in and around the "Bismarks" hull, it was about this time that "King George V" came under ememy fire, but due to the skilful manouvering of the ship, the enemy shells missed their target, although sometimes by a matter of yards.

It soon became evident that due to incessant fire "Bismarcks'main armament had almost been put out of action, only her after turret supported by secondary armament continued to fire. The captain then decided to engage the enemy at close quarters. We approached the enemy at bows on position and at about 3000 yards range fired our last salvo that was intended to kill. "Bismarcks" last salvo increased her list to port dangerousely and her turrets, which were seen to be badly disordered, one in particular seemed to be hanging over the side.

It was now that we got the best shot of the action, a 14" shell was seen to explode at the base of her superstructure, which was immediately enveloped in flames and smoke.The director control tower was seen to topple over into the sea. It was now observed that the "Rodney" had closed in and terrific broadsides from her 16" guns shattered the "Bismarcks hull, creating havoc on the doomed ship and almost immediately men could be seen jumping into the sea to escape the blazing inferno which was once the pride and glory of the Nazi Fleet.

The rhythm of the attack was now taken up by the "Norfolk" and destroyers, the latter force had been circling around the scene of the engagementdropping depth charges to obviate the threat of enemy "U" boats known to be in the vicinity. "Bismarck" commenced to heel over perilousely to port but was till floating and it became obvious that she could not be sunk by gunfire in sufficient time to enable us to return to base to re-fuel.

The Commander-in-Chief then gave orders for the "Dorsetshire" who had now come on the scene to dispatch the "Bismark" to her inevitable end with torpedo's. This was promptly done and she sank approximately two hours after action started. It was learned later, that "Rodney" had already hastened her dispatch by firing two torpedo's into her already damaged hull. "Dorsetshire" and "Moari" were orerded to pick up survivors but owing to heavy seas, which were raging and the fact that enemy "U"-boats were known to be in the vicinity it was only possible for them to pick up 104 officers and men. One of the officers afterwards stated the "Bismarck" had expected the co-operation of a very strong air fighter force.

The engagement completed, the Battleships took no further part in the action and proceeded back to base with all possible speed, baring in mind our rapidly decreasing oil fuel supplies.

The "Bismarck" had been sunk, thus avenging our gallant comrades who had perished in the "Hood".

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