Battle of the River Plate, 80 years ago today

[cardboard_killer]

The German heavy cruiser KMS Admiral Graf Spee attacks the heavy cruiser HMS Exeter, and light cruisers HMS Ajax, and HMNZS Achilles in the South Atlantic. After the action, the Graf Spee retreats to the neutral port of Montevideo, but, unable to be repaired, her captain decides to scuttle her three days later and then commits suicide.

 

KMS Admiral Graf Spee

 

HMS Exeter after the battle

 

 

KMS Admiral Graf Spee burning to scuttle.

 

Edited December 13, 2019 by cardboard_killer

[cardboard_killer]

German casualties from the battle are buried in Montevideo, 80 years ago today.

 

" Kapitän zur See Langsdorff is criticized in Germany for giving his fallen crew the naval salute instead of the Nazi salute (as the other officials and clergy do). "