(SAILOR enters LEFT.)
SAILOR:
The spring of nineteen forty one was grim: A world at war, on land, in air, at sea. Indulge please, if you will, this sailor's whim: To set a tragic stage in place for thee. His Majesty commands a mighty fleet The legacy of England's brilliant past; But German U-boats nip about his feet, Their warships prowl across the ocean vast. And now, to prey upon the shipping lines, The Huns deploy their greatest vessel yet: The Bismarck heads into the frigid brine-- From Poland comes the iron eagle's threat.
(The BISMARCK and the PRINZ EUGEN enter right.)
http://www.voodoo.cz/hood/pics/bismarck.gif
http://www.collectrussia.com/sBoot/PG/portrait04.jpg
BISMARCK:
My name is Bismarck; fall before my might. No ship so great as I has ever sailed. To England soon I take our nation's fight; Against my cannons all their force shall pale. Eight hundred feet I stretch from tail to nose Displacing near one hundred million pounds; Of eight main guns my armament's composed And armor thirteen inches thick around. But first to Norway we shall make our way For now, our trail secret; we must hide We must avoid the enemy this day.
PRINZ EUGEN:
Fear not, my friend, for I am at your side! Though you may think a heavy cruiser's naught, I've been three years at sea this very spring Against the English I've already fought
BISMARCK:
And somehow, yet, you've never sunk a thing.
SAILOR:
The secret does not stay that way for long; The English learn that they are on the way. But who will block these terrors come headlong?
http://www.collectrussia.com/sBoot/PG/Action23.jpg
(Two cruisers, HMS SUFFOLK and HMS NORFOLK, enter left.)
SUFFOLK:
The Suffolk...!
NORFOLK:
...and the Norfolk save the day!
SUFFOLK:
Why, look, my friend: is that a ship I spot?
NORFOLK:
I'd say you're right, my friend; some heavy class of battleship. I say we take a shot.
SUFFOLK:
I say hell no; that thing would kick our ass.
BISMARCK:
Three salvos I shall send their way for now To make them keep their distance through the night
PRINZ EUGEN:
Good shots, sir! I can see one turn its bow!
BISMARCK:
Be quiet, punk. You didn't even fight.
NORFOLK:
Now let us call for help; who hears our cry? Who lends their might to ours, as well they should?
(HMS PRINCE OF WALES and HMS HOOD enter left.)
http://www.voodoo.cz/battleships/pics1/pow01.jpg
http://www.voodoo.cz/hood/pics/h04.jpg
PRINCE OF WALES:
The Prince of Wales hears and now stands by!
HOOD:
And I am here as well: beloved Hood! Among the last ships launched in World War One, Some say that now I start to show my age. I was to be refitted-- hull and guns-- But war has forced me back onto the stage.
PRINCE OF WALES:
But I, on other hand, am all brand new The latest gem in England's naval crown A match for Bismarck I am, through and through I swear this German ship shall be sent down! So tell me, Suffolk, where's my nemesis?
NORFOLK:
I'm Norfolk, sir. They're to our starboard side.
PRINCE OF WALES:
At dawn, then, they shall feel our cannon's kiss Let's close ten thousand feet and start this ride!
(The two groups move closer. GUNFIRE.)
HOOD:
I'm first to fire, first to score a hit! I've struck the Bismarck in her forward shell! She takes on water, slowing down a bit!
BISMARCK:
But now I've got your range. You're off to Hell.
http://www.voodoo.cz/hood/pics/h06.jpg
HOOD:
I'm straddled, struck! Not once, not twice, but thrice! I fear, good Prince of Wales, I am slain! Fire runs amok through me like mice My magazine is breached...
(HMS HOOD explodes.)
PRINZ EUGEN:
...It's split in twain!
BISMARCK:
No time to oggle, boy. There's still one left. And here's a salvo right across its side.
http://www.kbismarck.com/bismarck33.jpg
PRINCE OF WALES:
I can't withstand another hit that deft. We're breaking off, to follow well beside.
SAILOR:
Within two minutes, all the Hood was gone. Just three men from her crew survived the blast. The Bismarck's men were cheered along But sadly their morale would not long last.
(PRINZ EUGEN exits.)
Victorious, a carrier, had joined in Along with battleships and cruisers, too A mighty naval hunt would now begin To sink the Bismarck, nothing less would do. Eighteen hours later, planes attacked But the bombs they dropped were not enough
BISMARCK:
We've shot four planes down with defensive flak And my armor's proven much too tough. We've slipped around their fleet to make for France If we can make it there we will be safe I'm tired of this open ocean dance And all these monoplanes' incessant strafe Here comes another wave down from the sky My men fatigued, they cannot stop them all With aerial torpedos now they try My rudder takes a hit and now we stall!
SAILOR:
That night, destroyers caught up to her path To fire more torpedos in her way Her crew worked hard against the fire's wrath Her cannons kept the pesky ships at bay
(The HMS RODNEY and HMS KING GEORGE V enter.)
http://www.voodoo.cz/battleships/pics/kinggeorge5.jpg
But morning's light revealed her destiny: The British Home Fleet drawing into sight The Bismarck came about; she could not flee Instead she did her best to stand and fight
http://www.kbismarck.com/bismarck39.jpg
BISMARCK:
My cannon fire fails to find the mark And now my forward turrets have been struck!
KING GEORGE V:
At twenty thousand yards we prowl like sharks Let's close to ten and sink her while she's stuck.
SAILOR:
Twas but an hour's battle, start to end One by one the Bismarck lost her guns. She could no longer manage to defend Against the British naval cannon run. Her deck ablaze, she still remained afloat The British fleet pulled back; the Dorsetshire Fired three torpedos at the boat The others sat and watched the spreading fire.
BISMARCK:
Although the British claim they sank me here The truth is I refused to sink below. My captain gives the scuttle order: hear! By choice, into the sea I shall now go!
http://www.kbismarck.com/bismarck94s.jpg
(BISMARCK sinks.)
SAILOR:
Two thousand and two hundred men she held But only one in twenty had survived. British naval power still upheld And shipping could continue now to thrive. The Bismarck's sister, Tirpitz, stayed at home The Germans never ruled the open sea The Hood avenged, the British fleet could roam To pave the way for Allied victory Remember, then, the Bismarck's only fight And now this tired sailor bids goodnight.
(PLAYERS bow and exit.)