Operation Rheinübung

Operation Rheinübung (German: Unternehmen Rheinübung) was the sortie into the Atlantic by the new German battleship Bismarck and heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen on 18–27 May 1941, during World War II. This operation aimed to disrupt Allied shipping to the United Kingdom as the previously successful Operation Berlin had done. After Bismarck had sunk HMS Hood during the Battle of the Denmark Strait (24 May), it culminated with the sinking of the Bismarck (27 May), while Prinz Eugen escaped to port in occupied France.

From that point on, the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) would rely only on U-boats to wage the Battle of the Atlantic.

Background

During both World Wars, Britain relied heavily on merchant ships to import food, fuel, and raw materials. Such things were crucial both for civilian survival and the military effort. Protecting this lifeline was a high priority for British forces, as its disruption would significantly weaken the British economy and its military capabilities, and Britain might be forced to negotiate peace, seek an armistice, or reduce its capacity to resist if this supply line could be severed. Such an outcome would shift the balance of power in Europe decisively, potentially giving Nazi Germany control over Western Europe without a nearby base of opposition.

Germany's naval leadership (under Admiral Raeder) at the time firmly believed that defeat by blockade was achievable. However, they also believed that the primary method to achieve this objective was to use traditional commerce raiding tactics, founded upon surface combatants (cruisers, battle-cruisers, fast battleships) that were only supported by submarines. Regardless of the method or manner, Raeder convinced the OKW and Hitler that if this lifeline were severed, Britain would be defeated, regardless of any other factors.