[Homer_J_Simpson]

Reich Warns U.S. – 2
Chilean Nazi Leader Freed from Asylum – 2
The International Situation – 3
Planes Raid Crete – 3-4
Greek King Eludes Nazis, Flees Crete – 4-5
Yacht Viva is Sunk While Aiding British – 5
First Mothers’ Day Observed in France – 5
Fleet Bent on Avenging Hood; Second Ship Hit, Berlin Says – 6
Admiral on Bismarck Celebrates Birthday – 6
Hood Sinking ‘All Luck,’ Japanese Admiral Says – 6
Japanese See Warning to U.S. in Germans’ Victory over Hood – 7
Another German Claim in the North Atlantic Battle (photo) – 7
Arabs’ Prejudices Big Factor in Iraq – 8
Vichy to Increase Wages of Workers – 8
The Eastern Mediterranean (by Hanson W. Baldwin) – 9
Vichy Says Weygand Backs Collaboration – 9
Texts of Day’s War Communiques – 10

[Homer_J_Simpson]

http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1941/may41/f26may41.htm

British aircraft damage Bismark

Monday, May 26, 1941 www.onwar.com

In the North Atlantic... A Catalina aircraft finds Bismark only 700 miles from Brest and it is clear that the aircraft of the Ark Royal (of Force H) offer the best chance of slowing the German ship so that she can be caught. The first strike launched by the Ark Royal finds and attacks the British cruiser Sheffield by mistake owing to bad weather. The attack fails because of defects in the magnetic exploders of the torpedoes, so simple contact types are substituted for a second strike. The 15 Swordfish find the correct target and score two hits. One hit wrecks the German battleship’s steering and practically brings her to a halt. During the night Bismark is further harried by torpedo and gunfire attacks by five British destroyers. It is unclear whether they score any torpedo hits.

In the Mediterranean... On Crete, the British commander, Freyberg, raises the question of a withdrawal from the island. During the night of the 26th most of the Allied forces withdraw from the Galatas position amid some confusion about the exact nature of their orders. Aircraft from the carrier Formidable attack the Stuka base at Scarpanto in the Italian Dodecanese. The carrier is hit twice by air attacks.