The greatest naval battle of WWII was the the battle for Leyte Gulf. The sinking of the Bismark, while a huge Ally moral builder, could not be construed as a "great naval battle". The Prince of Wales and the Hood attacked the Bismarck and the Prinz Eugen resulting in the Hood sinking and the Prince of Wales limping away in retreat. It was subsequent AIRCRAFT attack that crippled her, and eventually a group of destroyers that sunk her.

It marked a turning point in naval aviation and the end of the age of the Battleship. From then on air power would rule the skies and waters.