HMS Rodney, one of the Royal Navy’s Finest Battleships: When she was commissioned in August 1940, Germany’s battleship Bismarck was considered one of the most advanced and modern warships in the world. She was Germany’s largest warship in Europe – and she was sunk by the combined efforts of an aging British battleship and antiquated Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber aircraft. While newer and more modern battleships including the HMS King George V and her sister ship HMS Prince of Wales also hunted Bismarck, HMS Rodney led the efforts to avenge the loss of HMS Hood. On May 27, Rodney along with King George V took part in a naval duel against the German battleship, destroying Bismarck‘s guns. Rodney then closed to point-blank range and continued to engage. Eventually and in combination with torpedo attacks, Bismarck was crippled, which was soon after scuttled by her crew. HMS Hood was avenged and it was a gallant end to the German warship.