The Hunt for the Graf Spee: A David and Goliath Naval Clash
In the early days of WWII, the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee terrorised Allied shipping lanes. Armed with massive 11-inch guns, it posed a devastating threat until confronted by three Royal Navy cruisers: HMS Exeter , Ajax , and Achilles (of the New Zealand Division).
The resulting Battle of the River Plate was a brutal and hard-fought engagement. Despite being outgunned, the British cruisers bravely engaged the Graf Spee , inflicting significant damage. The Exeter was particularly badly damaged and forced to retire.
The damaged Graf Spee , now a major prize, sought refuge in Montevideo, Uruguay. Trapped by international law and facing perceived overwhelming odds, Captain Langsdorff made the fateful decision to scuttle his ship rather than risk his crew's lives in a hopeless battle.
Relive the drama of this iconic naval battle.
The Battle of the River Plate!
