An honorable warrior does not need to kill to win a battle. This rule only applies to surface engagements such as the ones between battleships. Planes, submarines and other forms of naval warfare have the option of following this rule.

The Battle of Denmark Straight

They were out there, Hood could sense it. She could feel the pressure of the water, the dull clinks of it slapping against another hull. She estimated them at a range of a little over 20 miles and a speed of 21 knots. Not bad for a large battleship and heavy cruiser.

"See anything?" She called to her partner, the new battleship Prince of Wales. She had the better eyesight due to her younger age and brand new innovations. She frowned. "No, nothing." She said. Hood sighed. "Well, we know they're here. The question is, do they know that we're here?" Wales asked.

Two jets of water splashed up directly in front of Hood's bow. "There's your answer Wales." She replied and training her forward turrets in the direction of the incoming shells, she opened fire.

The shells missed Bismarck's starboard bow by mere feet." Bring the rain!" The German growled and fired a full broadside. Her target had now cleared the horizon and she could see that she had the advantage of crossing the T. This was a maneuver desired by all naval commanders. It allowed her to bring all her guns to bear while her enemy could only use her forward guns and by the time she tried to turn, it'd be too late.

All her guns opened fire simultaneously in the hope that at least one shell could make its mark. But she had misjudged the speed of her opponent and the shells hit harmlessly in the water in from of the British warship. A second ship quickly appeared behind the first and Prince Eugan wasted no time in showing her 15 in. guns to Hood.

"Give it to her Eugan!" Bismarck called. "I'd be only too happy to, Bessie!" She called back and just to prove her point, she let loose with a full broadside.

Prince of Wales swore loudly as her guns failed to fire. Her 16, 15 inchers were placed in four quadruple turrets, an unfamiliar design to her British masters. So naturally, they were experiencing some technical difficulties.

"Language, Wales!" Hood said, wincing at her partner's gushing vocabulary. Shells passed perilously close to Hood's port side. "Wales!" She called. "Yeah?" Wales replied. "Can you try and hit your target and shut her up so I don't have to keep on dodging all these shells." Hood asked.

"Sorry Hood, my guns are malfunctioning again." Wales replied. Hood cursed. "And you tell me to watch my language." Wales said cheekily. "Oh shut up and cover me the best you can." Hood growled.

"Will do." Wales replied. After that last close call, Hood made a 20o turn to port, at the same time, she had all her guns turned to bring a full broadside to bear upon her enemy.

When she saw Hood begin the maneuver, Bismarck knew she'd have to act fast. Despite her superior weaponry, she was no match against the pride of the British fleet with all her guns blazing.

Halfway through the turn, Bismarck's guns opened fire. A single 16 in shell was sent right on target into Hood's aft ammunition room. Hood yelped as the charge went off, sending up a wall of fire that threatened to reach the stores. The flames slowly but surely crept around the magazines.

Hood didn't panic, her many years of training had taught her to use her fear as a weapon against her enemy. She knew what was going to happen a moment before it did. "Run!" She yowled to her captain. "Hood, what is it?" He asked. The explosion was so strong that it blew her in half, raising her bow up out of the water as she sank stern first.

Wales rushed forward to help. "Don't you dare quit firing." Hood snarled. Wales nodded, tears of sadness falling from her eyes.

"I'm so sorry." She whispered. "There is nothing to be sorry for, Wales." Hood replied. "You did everything that was expected of you and more. Bessie just got a lucky shot, that's all."

Wales bowed her head. "You must survive this battle, Wales. You must lead the fleet to victory." Hood said. Wales' eyes widened. "Hood, no I can't." She whispered. "You must. Please Wales, for the sake of the country." Hood begged. Wales nodded.

Hood groaned as she sank further down. "Hood, no don't leave me!" Wales cried. Hood managed to look at Wales. "Never." She growled and for good measure, fired one last defiant salvo at Bismarck. This time she was spot on and the blow ruptured several oil drums, forcing Bismarck to withdraw from the battle and make for occupied France at half-steam.

She heard Wales' cry of despair as Hood died in front of her. Despite her hatred for the British flagship, she did feel sorry for her.

Eventually Bismarck was caught and sunk, allowing justice to be served.

Prince of Wales herself was sunk in an air raid in the Gulf of Siam off Singapore a year later. But before then, she decreed that an honorable fighter does not need to kill to win a battle in a surface to surface engagement. It's a law that has been accepted in every nation and continues to this day.