This engagement was composed of one German formation and two British formations. The German formation included the battleship Bismarck (Captain Ernst Lindemann, with Fleet Chief Admiral Günther Lütjens on board) and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen (Captain Helmuth Brinkmann).
The first British formation, which had been shadowing the German formation since the evening before, included the heavy cruisers Norfolk (Captain Alfred J.L. Phillips, with 1st Cruiser Squadron Commander Rear-Admiral William F. Wake-Walker on board) and Suffolk (Captain Robert M. Ellis). The second formation, which was converging on the area with the intent of engaging the enemy by surprise, guided to this by the continuous signals received from the Norfolk, included the battlecruiser Hood (Captain Ralph Kerr, with Battle Cruiser Squadron Commander and 2nd in Charge of the Home Fleet Vice Admiral Lancelot E. Holland) and the battleship Prince of Wales (Captain John C. Leach). This formation also included 6 escort destroyers (Achates, Antelope, Anthony, Echo, Electra and Icarus) which were detached the previous evening and were not present at the battle.
The strategic and tactical scenarios during the early hours of May 24, 1941 were different between the Germans and the British.
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