During the "Bismarck"'s sortie Operation "Rheinübung" in May 1941, "Fliegerführer Atlantik" was ordered by Göring to provide cover for its return to port. "Kampfgruppe" 100, "Kampfgeschwader" 1, 54 and 77 were made available for this purpose. They failed and "Bismarck" was sunk. "Fliegerführer Atlantiks" commanding officer, Martin Harlinghausen, came in for much criticism for failing to help the ship. The sinking of "Bismarck" ended German surface vessel activity in the Atlantic for the remainder of the war. The Ju 88s and He 111s could not reach "Bismarck", but did sink and flew 158 sorties against warships.