Bismarck was the first of two s built for the German Kriegsmarine. Named after Chancellor Otto von Bismarck_the primary force behind the unification of Germany in 1871_the ship was laid down at the Blohm amp; Voss shipyard in Hamburg in July 1936 and launched two and a half years later in February 1939. Work was completed in August 1940_when she was commissioned into the German fleet.
