How the Bismarck Became the Most Feared Battleship in WWII History The German battleship Bismarck, commissioned in August 1940, was a masterpiece of naval engineering. Weighing over 50,000 tons fully loaded, it reached a top speed of 30 knots. Its terrifying primary armament consisted of eight 15-inch guns that famously sank HMS Hood in just minutes. Built to dominate the Atlantic, Bismarck combined massive firepower with thick, specialized armor. Though its reign was short, its legendary hunt a