Next to the Tirpitz the Bismarck, the flag-ship of the Germany Navy, was the largest German warship with a displacement of 50,900 tons and a crew of 2,092 men. Together with the Prinz Eugen she was discovered by British reconnaissance planes and engaged by British battleships. In the encounter Bismarck sunk the Hood and was damaged by British gunfire and aircraft fired torpedoes. She was finally sunk after meeting the British battleships King George V and Rodney 27th May 1941 490 km off the French coast.