03-01-2004, 10:38
The anticipated (and, in some camps, dreaded) sortie by Kriegsmarine surface forces into the Atlantic was indefinitely postponed, by executive order from the head of the Navy, Admiral Raeder. Sources, who asked not to be named, sited the damage done to the battleship Tirpitz, and the delays in repairs to Bismarck as the primary causes, but hinted that the status of the North Africa front had also been considered during discussions. It was announced that the sortie would take place after repairs to torpedo and shell damage to Bismarck were completed; no projected date has yet been set.