Although based on the previous MB.310 design, the Bloch MB.311 was a more modern and aerodynamic design. The first prototype flew on August 12, 1936, followed by a second prototype on May 7, 1937. This second aircraft added a fifth crewman, relocated the dorsal turret, and added a ventral turret.
The MB.131 fared poorly against the Luftwaffe. Used for unescorted long range reconnaissance missions many were shot down. As a result, starting in October 1939, aside from a few aircraft in the GR I/36 and II/36 units, they were withdrawn from the front line and relegated to training units.
At the Armistice, 53 were inventoried in unoccupied France and in 1942, the Germans captured 21 that were then scrapped. Photos of French operated aircraft can be found here.
Although based on the previous MB.310 design, the Bloch MB.311 was a more modern and aerodynamic design. The first prototype flew on August 12, 1936, followed by the second prototype on May 7, 1937. This second aircraft added a fifth crewman, relocated the dorsal turret, and added a ventral turret.
The MB.131 fared poorly against the Luftwaffe. Used for unescorted long range reconnaissance missions many were shot down. As a result, starting in October 1939, aside from a few aircraft in the GR I/36 and II/36 units, they were withdrawn from the front line and relegated to training units.
At the Armistice, 53 were inventoried in unoccupied France and in 1942, the Germans captured 21 that were then scrapped. Photos of German captured aircraft can be found here.
The basic airframe was further developed into the MB.133, powered by Hispano-Suiza 14 Aa radial engines and the tail modified to a twin rather than single vertical stabiliser. It proved uncompetitive with more modern designs and was converted to a standard MB.131 and delivered to the Air Force. Photos of the MB.133 are here.
Following the failure of the MB.133, the Bloch design team developed two improved versions, the MB.134 and the four-engined MB.135.
Bismarck was the first of two Bismarck-class battleships built for Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine. Named after Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, the ship was laid down at the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg in July 1936 and launched in February 1939. Work was completed in August 1940, when she was commissioned into the German fleet. Bismarck and her sister ship Tirpitz were the largest battleships ever built by Germany, and two of the largest built by any European power.
In the course of the warship’s eight-month career under its sole commanding officer, Captain Ernst Lindemann, Bismarck conducted only one offensive operation, lasting 8 days in May 1941, codenamed Rheinübung. The ship, along with the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, was to break into the Atlantic Ocean and raid Allied shipping from North America to Great Britain. The two ships were detected several times off Scandinavia, and British naval units were deployed to block their route. At the Battle of the Denmark Strait, the battlecruiser HMS Hood initially engaged Prinz Eugen, probably by mistake, while HMS Prince of Wales engaged Bismarck. In the ensuing battle Hood was destroyed by the combined fire of Bismarck and Prinz Eugen, which then damaged Prince of Wales and forced her retreat. Bismarck suffered sufficient damage from three hits to force an end to the raiding mission.
The destruction of Hood spurred a relentless pursuit by the Royal Navy involving dozens of warships. Two days later, heading for occupied France to effect repairs, Bismarck was attacked by 16 obsolescent Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bombers from the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal; one scored a hit that rendered the battleship’s steering gear inoperable. In her final battle the following morning, the already-crippled Bismarck was severely damaged during a sustained engagement with two British battleships and two heavy cruisers and sank with heavy loss of life.
Construction
Bismarck under construction at Blohm & Voss Hamburg, GermanyBismarck Fitting OutBismarck LaunchingBismarck Fitting OutBismarck Stern ViewBismarck BowBismarck in floating dry dock, Hamburg, July 1940Bismarck Propeller ShaftBismarck PropellersBismarck LaunchingBismarck LaunchingBismarck Fitting OutBismarck Fitting OutBismarck Fitting OutBismarck Being PaintedBismarck fitting out at the Blohm & Voss, Dec 1939. Shows details of her forward twin 380mm Guns
At Sea
BismarckBismarckBismarckBismarckBismarckBismarckBismarck Underway From Prinz EugenBismarck UnderwayBismarckBismarckBismarckBismarckBismarckBismarck at SeaBismarck at SeaBismarck BowBismarck at SeaBismarckBismarck at anchorage in Bergen just before it set out for the AtlanticBismarck from the Rensburger Bridge, March 8, 1941
Detailed Photos
Bismarck Port Bow BismarckBismarck Starboard BowBismarck in KielBismarck Starboard SternBismarck Bismarck Main ArmamentBismarck Main ArmamentBismarck Aft Main ArmamentBismarck Main ArmamentDetail of the Aft Main ArmamentBismarckBismarck Aft Main ArmamentBismarck BoatsBismarck BoatsBismarck Bismarck Bismarck Main MastBismarckBismarck BoatsBismarck Secondary ArmamentBismarckBismarckArmored tube and trunking – FWD conning tower.BismarckBismarckBismarckBismarck Port Side Secondary ArmamentBismarck Fitting OutBismarck CommissioningBismarck CommissioningBismarck CraneBismarck Looking ForwardBismarck BridgeBismarckBismarck fire control computer C38 K
In Battle
Bismarck During the BAttle of the Denmark StraitBismarck FiringBismarck Under FireBismarck Firing in the Denmark StraitBismarck Firing in the Denmark StraitBismarck FiringBismarck Firing on HMS Prince of WalesBismarck, a few hours after the Battle of the Denmark Strait, 24 May 1941The sinking of the German Battleship Bismarck as seen from HMS Dorsetshire.HMS Dorsetshire Rescuing Bismarck Survivors