Graf Spee’s Flag Found In N.Z.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31139, 16 August 1966, Page 3

Graf Spee’s Flag Found In N.Z.

(N Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 15. Twenty-six years after the Battle of the River Plate, the battleflag of the German pocket battleship Graf Spee has turned up intact in New Zealand. The 24-foot long battle-flag —“acquired” by a Royal New Zealand Navy seaman at Montevideo in 1939 —had remained hidden in the Gisborne area until earlier this month because it was considered “to hot to handle.” Ten days ago it was handed

over to the Navy Office in Wellington and a Navy spokesman said today the flag’s authenticity was being verified. The battle-flag is red with a black cross edged with white in the centre and a swastika in the top corner. English Makers It has the name of its makers —an English firm—and the date of manufacture (1937). The Navy spokesman said today that when the Graf Spee was damaged in December, 1939. by the British warships Exeter, Ajax and Achilles it put into Montevideo for repairs. It was allowed 72 hours to

effect the repairs and put to sea again on December 13 — but the Graf Spee’s captain had express orders from Hitler to scuttle her.

Flag Acquired When the Royal New Zealand Navy crew of the Achilles were given shore leave in Montevideo they mixed freely with the German crew of the sunken pocket battleship and the Graf Spee's battle flag was “acquired.” The secretary of the Gisborne branch of the Ex-Naval-men’s Association, Mr C. Evans, said a telephone interview today nobody was “quite sure” how the flag was acquired. “When it arrived here tn New Zealand it was a bit hot

to handle,” said Mr Evans. But in 1946 it was jubilantly put on display in a Gisborne shop window—its last public appearance. The battle-flag was then hidden away until it fell into the hands of Mr Evans about 18 months ago. After correspondence with the Royal New Zealand Navy, the flag was handed over to the Chief of Naval Staff. RearAdmiral J. O’C. Ross, 10 days ago.

“It's hoped the Navy will be able to put it on display at the Naval Museum in Auckland,” Mr Evans said. The Navy Office is waiting confirmation from the flag’s English manufacturers to establish its authenticity.