The German battleship Bismarck did not finish off the HMS Prince of Wales after sinking HMS Hood during the Battle of the Denmark Strait for several strategic, tactical, and situational reasons. Here's an analysis of why the Bismarck and its accompanying heavy cruiser, Prinz Eugen, allowed the damaged Prince of Wales to escape:
1. Focus on the Primary Mission
The Bismarck's mission, as part of Operation Rheinübung, was not to engage the Royal Navy in direct battle but to break into the Atlantic and target Allied merchant shipping. After the destruction of HMS Hood, Admiral Günther Lütjens, in command of the Bismarck and Prinz Eugen, prioritized the operational objective over pursuing the Prince of Wales.
Avoid delays:
Engaging Prince of Wales would have taken time and potentially exposed Bismarck to additional damage or reinforcements from the Royal Navy.
Preserve fuel:
Bismarck had already taken damage to its fuel tanks during the battle. Chasing the Prince of Wales could have exacerbated its fuel limitations, jeopardizing its ability to continue the Atlantic raid.
2. The Tactical Situation
Although HMS Prince of Wales was damaged, it was still a formidable threat. Its 14-inch guns were modern, accurate, and could penetrate Bismarck's armor at certain ranges.
Sustained resistance:
Despite mechanical problems and being outgunned, Prince of Wales continued to fire effectively, scoring three hits on Bismarck. These hits damaged Bismarck's fuel tanks and reduced its operational range. Admiral Lütjens likely wanted to avoid further hits that could worsen Bismarck's condition.
Risk of escalation:
Prolonging the engagement with Prince of Wales might have given additional British forces, such as aircraft carriers or other warships, time to arrive and reinforce the battle.
3. Damage to Bismarck
During the battle, Prince of Wales inflicted critical damage to Bismarck's fuel tanks. As a result:
Operational impact:
Bismarck's range was significantly reduced, forcing it to abandon its original mission and seek refuge for repairs.
Need to disengage:
Lütjens likely chose to avoid unnecessary combat to preserve Bismarck’s remaining operational capabilities.
4. Strategic Doctrine
German naval doctrine emphasized avoiding unnecessary risk to major surface units like Bismarck. Unlike the Royal Navy, which relied heavily on battleships for fleet dominance, the Kriegsmarine had relatively few capital ships and could not afford to lose them prematurely.
Risk aversion:
The loss of Bismarck so early in its mission would have been a significant blow to the Kriegsmarine's plans for disrupting Allied shipping.