"This book is a marine forensics analysis and engineering study of the design, operation, and loss of Germany's greatest battleship, drawing on survivors' accounts and the authors' experience in naval architecture and naval operations. Battleship Bismarck has finally resolved some of the major questions such as, 'Who sank the Bismarck, the British or the Germans?'"--Provided by publisher.

Prologue -- The origins of the Battleship Bismarck -- Bismarck joins the Kriegsmarine -- German naval developments -- Prelude to Operation Rheinübung -- The Royal Navy in 1941 -- Operation Rheinübung commences -- Bismarck's Norwegian interlude and the British reaction -- Prelude to battle -- Contact! -- The destruction of HMS Hood -- Aftermath -- Decisions -- Torpedo attack by victorious aircraft -- Bismarck strives to escape -- Discovery -- The fateful torpedo attack -- Crippled -- The British destroyers attack -- The final battle: prelude -- The final battle: 0847-0930 -- The final battle: 0930-1021 -- The final battle: commentary -- Survival and aftermath -- The wreck -- Reflections -- Research -- Appendix A : Operation order for Operation Rheinübung -- Appendix B : HMS Rodney gunnery action with Bismarck -- Appendix C : King George V 356-mm turret problems -- Appendix D : The scuttling debate -- Appendix E : Bismarck's last moments : survivor reports.