Timewatch : The Battle of the River Plate

Report

Graf Spee left Wilhelmshaven 21 August, 1939, with orders to take position in the South Atlantic. Beginning her raider cruise on September 30th, she sank SS Clement. During October she sank SS Newton Beech, SS Ashlea, SS Huntsman and MVT Revanion. Prowling the Indian Ocean in November, she sank MV Africa Shell. Four large hunting groups of Allied capital ships were now hunting the elusive raider. Homeward bound in December, she sank SS Doric Star, SS Tairoa and SSS Treonshalh. A total of nine British freighters (50,000 tons) went to the bottom but no-one lost their lives. In accordance with the Hague Conventions the crews were taken off before the ships were sunk.

On December 13, 1939, the Battle of the River Plate burst into world news. Ajax, Achilles and Exeter met Graf Spee in deadly combat. Exeter was disabled and Graf Spee received hidden critical damage. More than 100 brave young sailors lost their lives.

On Thursday, December 14, 1939, front pages around the world reported the full story of the Battle of the River Plate. Worried families of the ships' crews prayed for the safety of their kin. Strenuous political negotiation failed to gain time for adequate repairs. Graf Spee must leave neutral waters by 8pm Sunday.

Three British cruisers awaited her exit. An American radio broadcaster, live from Montevideo, filled the international airwaves with updates of the tightening drama. The British cruiser squadron and millions of anxious listeners expected the pocket battleship to come out with guns blazing. Naval tradition demanded she battle her way out or go down fighting.

Langsdorff's significant role in the dramatic Saga of the Graf Spee has remained obscure. Respected historians have dismissed him as a "first class person" but an unimaginative warrior. Admiral Raeder left a black mark on the Captain's military record in his post-war writings when he blamed Langsdorff for losing his ship by attacking three cruisers and going against general orders. This half-truth has plagued Langsdorff's career for 60 years.

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Production

Producer: BBC

Categories

Categories: Documentary / History

Tags: achilles battle ajax navy monte war video exeter

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timewatch_the_battle_of_the_riiver_plate.mkv

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