Flight Against the Bismarck by Philip West features a Royal Navy Swordfish in action against the Bismarck 26 May 1941.

The Royal Navy’s week long chase of the formidable German battleship Bismarck culminated in the foul evening weather of 26th May 1941. Despite the deck of HMS Ark Royal pitching through 55 feet, S/Lt John Moffat was one of fifteen Swordfish pilots who took off to attack the mighty Bismarck battleship. After 90 minutes of arduous and turbulent flying the Swordfish found their quarry and dived through the intense anti-aircraft fire to drop their torpedoes. One of these hit and jammed Bismarck’s rudder and condemned the battleship to sail in slow circles. The Royal Navy’s own capital ships then closed in and pounded Bismarck into a burning wreck.

This is only one example of heroic acts by the many Swordfish crew who flew and fought so valiantly for their Queen and country throughout WW2. Other examples include the Malta Campaign and one pilot who flew Swordfish from converted oil tankers in the North Atlantic on convoy protection duties against German U-Boats.

Flight Against the Bismarck by Philip West is signed by three distinguished WW2 Swordfish pilots:
Sub.Lt. Stanley Brand RNVR
Lt.Cdr. Bruce Vibert
Lt. Norman Gillis RNVR.