Do historical events occur?

[acur1231]

Out of curiousity, does Bismarck go and sink in 1941 in the Bay of Biscay, after sinking Hood, Scharnhorst in 1943 in the North Sea, and the Tirpitz at anchor in 1944?

[japp_02]

Yes, but even if you 'save' the Bismarck by performing very well against English ships etc. , you cannot save the Bismarck, it will sink, you cannot change the campaign outcome or History.

To meet the Bismarck (or other historical events) watch for received radio messages and be at the right place at the right time during campaign.
Or more simply: Play the single mission for the Bismarck.

[acur1231]

Cool, I was just curious. Can someone be near the Tirpitz to see if it gets sunk at anchor in 1944? Or see if Scharnhorst gets sunk in 1943?

[japp_02]

I don't think so. Outside of ports, war events are simulated to some degree, but not the entire sailing track for the ships in question. In ports, the traffic is separately coded and I don't think such battles will take place there. But try out, be there at the right time!
At subsim.com I've made a guide for players like you to start at a specific date and from a specific port to make easily such encounters. It's here:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=236272