BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC on, the 23rd, the German Battleship "BISMARCK" and her consort the "PRINZ EUGEN" were spotted by the British Cruisers HMS NORFOLK and HMS SUFFOLK with the aid of radar....on the 24th the HMS "PRINCE OF WALES" & THE HMS "HOOD" engaged the huge German ship. The "HOOD" was lost with only three crewmen surviving (out of 1,416) the "PRINCE OF WALES" was damaged and withdraws....During the night the "BISMARK" is struck by a torpedo from one of the aircraft from the carrier "VICTORIOUS", but the big ship slips away in dark. Also, during this night the "PRINZ EUGEN" leaves the "BISMARK" to work on her own.....The British continue the search.Absolute priorty is given to the destruction of this Battleship and the German Submarines. Prime Minister Churchill is convinced that if the British cannot gain controll of the North Atlantic so War Matieral comeing from North America can get through...the War will be lost.This will prove be be one of the most critical periouds of the entire war.
CRETE the German forces begin to advance Westward towards "Galatas"... the town changes hands several times on the 25th & 26th