AfriGeneas World Research Forum
Sinking Battleship Bismarck
Re: BOOK BATTLESHIP BISMARCK
Fondness of the sea and the military history of medicine encouraged me to review this book.
The short life of the Bismarck reminds one of the sinking of the Titanic. Both like Cassiopeia were bright stars in a constellation of energy to make the biggest and the best.
At the time of the sinking of the Bismarck (May 27, 1941) African-Americans were not allowed full participation as citizens in the US Navy or other branches of the military except in the most menial of services. Changes came but it was a slow and painful progess for those wishing to serve in any branch of the US military before and after WWII.
Baron Von Mollenheim provides extensive research and knowledge of the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) for an accurate account of the Bismarck sinking. The Bismarck was commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on August 24, 1940. The author quoted Kapitan Lindermanns reference to a speech by Prince Otto Von Bismarck during the commissioning ceremony "Policy is not made with speeches, shooting festivals, or songs, it is made only by blood and iron."
From a distinguished military family Von Mollenheim was a senior survivor of the Bismarck with 115 other men. More than 2000 of his comrades perished with the ship including Commanding Officer Kapitan Ernest Lindermann. The Kapitans seaman messenger also perished standing with Lindermann as he gave a salute to his 'white cap' at the starboard side of the stem as it became level.
Mollenheim provides brave and dynamic accounts of the way and manner many of the men died and his determination to survive in freezing Atlantic waters tossed like a cork waiting to be rescued by Britons in the area.
The author records many final messages sent to the Bismarck during their last night. At 0153 Adolf Hitler to crew of Bismarck: "All
Journalist William L. Shirer provided a footnote to the sinking of the Bismarck. "The sinking of the Bismarck...climaxed the greatest naval battle in the Atlantic of the Second World War. In the running engagement that lasted an entire week, with the Bismarck most of the time pitted alone against the bulk of the British home fleet, the 42,000 ton battle cruiser, Hood, the largest and most powerful vessel in the British navy was sunk in the first engagement."
With the assistance of Russia and others the Bismarck was discovered
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
I.M. Spence-Lewis M.D.