This work investigates the strategic and tactical maneuvers that culminated in the destruction of the German battleship Bismarck during the Second World War. Ludovic Kennedy, a veteran of the Royal Navy, utilizes his firsthand knowledge of naval operations to reconstruct the intense hunt across the Atlantic. By synthesizing official logs, personal accounts, and operational reports, the author provides a comprehensive analysis of the command decisions and technological limitations that defined this pivotal naval engagement.

This account is widely regarded as the definitive historical record of the Bismarck operation due to the author's rigorous research and intimate familiarity with naval procedure. The text provides a balanced, clinical assessment of the logistical challenges faced by the British fleet while maintaining a focus on the technical realities of mid-century naval combat.