NAVAL BATTLE IN SOUTH ATLANTIC

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22894, 15 December 1939, Page 11

NAVAL BATTLE IN SOUTH ATLANTIC

British Cruisers Shell Admiral Graf Spec

NAZI POCKET BATTLESHIP BADLY DAMAGED

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received December 15, 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, December 14.

The Admiralty announces that the cruisers Exeter, Ajax, and Achilles, under the command of Commodore H. H. Harwood, contacted the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee at 6 a.m. yesterday in the South Atlantic. A heavy running fight occurred between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., at which time the Exeter, receiving damage and reducing speed, was forced to drop out of action. The Ajax and Achilles continued the chase of the Admiral Graf Spee, which was repeatedly hit, and appeared to be seeking refuge in the River Plate. The Admiral Graf Spee eventually succeeded in entering Uruguavan waters, closely followed by the Ajax and the Achilles. She anchored after dark in IVTontevideo harbour, where the British cruisers shortly afterwards dropped anchor. message from New York states that after the Admiral Graf Spee anchored at Montevideo the German Minister arrived at the Port Prefect s office, shortly after midnight, to intern the battleship for the duration of the war. An earlier dispatch from the Montevideo correspondent of the United Press of America said it was not known whether the Admiral Graf Spee would leave port when the customary 24hours’ limit expired, or whether it would be interned: The Montevideo correspondent of the “New York Times” says the superstructure of the Admiral Graf Spee was badly damaged. The* vessel has 36 of her crew dead and 60 wounded. The wounded were removed to the Military Hospital.

At Montevideo the Admiral Graf Spec disembarked her 36 dead and 60 wounded, while a few miles awav watchfully lav the British cruisers which defeated her in an 18'hours’ running battle, the biggest and most dramatic engagement of the war. A silent, awed crowd jammed the waterfront to watch the casualties taken ashore. The vanquished Nazi ship has three gaping holes in the hull, the superstructure, and forecastle, and also other scars. Her commander was slightly injured and one of the officers is dead. The Admiral Graf Spec’s damage is such that she iSflimable to depart immediately- It was indicated that she would be given time for repairs before internment proceedings are instituted. * It is reported that the captains and others captured from six British merchantmen by the Admiral Graf Spec would be released in Montevideo. The Montevideo correspondent of the “New York Times” says the Ajax was convoying the French liner Formosa from Rio de Janeiro to Montevideo when the Admiral Graf Spee opened fire. A wireless message brought the cruisers Exeter and Achilles foaming into action, while the Formosa hurried to safety. During the first intense action the Admiral Graf Spee tried vainly to outrun and out-manoeuvre the British vessels while the firing continued for four hours. The Exeter’s guns inflicted the first heavy damage on the enemy, while the lighter British cruisers maintained contact fearlessly and effectively. Thereupon the Admiral Graf Spee, which was now leading the chase southward, devoted all her attention to the Exeter, whose steering was damaged, forcing her to quit the battle. During the latter engagement, however, the Admiral Graf Spee was so badly crippled that she made full speed towards the coast, doggedly pursued by the Ajax and Achilles. When off the Punta del Este the British ships steamed swiftly westward, taking advantage of the setting sun to get the Admiral Graf Spee silhouetted against the sky while they remained protected by the shadow of the land behind them. This forced the Admiral Graf Spee to change course to her disadvantage, and subjected her to heavy fire. Thus night fell with the guns blazing. It was a picturesque sight for the many watchers ashore. Finally the Admiral Graf Spee managed to reach the entrance of the River Plate and the British ships ceased firing.