Prototype Information: DKM Bismarck, WWII German Battleship The German battleship Bismarck is famous not so much for what she accomplished during WWII but that she was the target of possibly the most famous chase in Naval history. On her first commerce raiding mission in the North Atlantic the bulk of the Royal Navy set out in pursuit. Just as it seemed that the ship would escape to safety in France and attack by aircraft from HMS Ark Royal wrecked the Bismarck's steering. The pursuing Royal Navy ships were then able to catch up and sink her the next day. Bismarck was armed with 8X15in guns and could reach a speed of 30 knots.