When the German battleship "Bismarck" along with the heavy cruiser broke out into the Atlantic Ocean, "King George V" sailed on 22 May with the aircraft carrier and eleven cruisers and destroyers in support of the cruiser patrols off Iceland. "King George V" was the flagship of Admiral Sir John Tovey, who commanded the force. "King George V" was still away on the morning of 24 May, when and "Hood" engaged both "Bismarck" and "Prinz Eugen". "Hood" was sunk and "Prince of Wales" was damaged when taking fire from both "Bismarck" and "Prinz Eugen" and forced to retire. "Bismarck", although damaged, continued south with "Prinz Eugen".