GRAF SPEE GOES TO BOTTOM

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21531, 19 December 1939, Page 7

GRAF SPEE GOES TO BOTTOM

SCUTTLED BY ORDER OF HITLER

“Blow to German Naval

Prestige”

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrighi (Received December 18, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 17. THE GERMAN Pocket Battleship Graf Spee was * scuttled after an explosion on board at 7.55 pm. The crew are reported to be safe. The Berlin Official News Agency announced: “Hitler himself ordered the Graf Spee to be scuttled.”

The National Broadcasting Company of the United States announced that the Graf Spee was scuttled five miles off the coast. The vessel paused outside the harbour limits and lay three miles off shore inside the regular Buenos Aires ship lanes. Pilots watching thought that she was awaiting the Tacoma to refuel. No indication was given from her position whether she was going to sea or to Buenos Aires.

The explosion occurred in the munition stores. The ship immediately caught fire. The National Broadcasting Company says that an unconfirmed report states that many were killed. Shortly before 6 p.m. the Graf Spee began raising her anchors. She began moving up the River Plate, apparently towards Buenos Aires, instead of the open sea.

The vessel halted suddenly after proceeding a few hundred yards then swung about and headed towards the sea at 6 p.m., after transferring all the married men on board to the supply ship Tacoma, which followed.

The Graf Spee burned for 80 minutes, the explosions continuing until 9.15 p.m when a heavier explosion sent coloured rockets and flameballs high into the air. Like a dying candle the ship burst into a last bright flame and was then extinguished. Oil floating on the water continued to burn for some time afterwards.

The Montevideo correspondent of the Associated Press of America states that the wreckage has almost broken in two. Ebb tide uncovered parts of the bow and superstructure. Sections of the bow are warped by the heat. The guns, turrets and stacks are in position.

The Montevideo correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that earlier it was reported by the Montevideo semi-official newspaper “El Pueblo” that Captain Langsdorff said: "If I cannot run the blockade, I will sink the ship at 8 p.m.” Captain Langsdorff and some officers and members of the crew are reported to be en route to Buenos Aires. The Uruguayan port authorities sent instructions by radio to the Tacoma to return to Montevideo Immediately.

Graf Spec's departure until 24 hours i later. In accordance with Article Sixteen of the Hague Convention she could not sail before 6.15 p.m. on December 17, but Uruguay ruled that if she had not sailed before 8 p.m she would be interned. Captain Langsdorff admitted that Uruguayan neutrality was violated in the last hours of the sea battle, but claimed that he was forced to fire on a British cruiser near Lobos Island because the cruiser opened fire on the Graf Spee. The scuttling of the Graf Spee i appears to have removed the immediate danger of the war encroaching on the American Continent, but has not solved Uruguay’s delicate diplomatic problem. The German Legation protested strongly at Uruguay’s refusal to extend the time limit attaching to Captain Langsdorff’s letter, as part of the protest, which describes the action as "a flagrant violation of international rights and usages.” Simultaneously Uruguay is engaged in not over-friendly conversations with Britain because she did not accede to the demand that the Graf Spec’s stay be limited to 24 hours. Uruguay sent a note to Panama suggesting that the Pan-Americas jointly or individually protest to Britain and Germany. Uruguay declares that the battle occurred inside the Panama Declaration neutrality zone. Brazil and Chile indicated their readiness to co-operate if an agreement was reached among representatives of the United States, the Argentine. Brazil and Uruguay on a joint declaration again fencing off the American Republic’s waters during the European war. The other Americans are expected to consent and join the declaration probably on Tuesday. BRITISH LOSSES Casualties On Cruisers United Press Association—B, eiiectru Telegraph— Copyright LONDON, December 17. The casualties on the cruiser Exeter were five officers killed and three wounded, 56 ratings killed and 20 wounded. On the Ajax seven ratings were killed and five were wounded. The British Legation at Montevideo announced that the Exeter has reached Port Stanley, in the Falkland Islands. Supply Ship's Captain Held The master of the German supply ship Tacoma, was arrested for leaving harbour without permission when the vessel anchored Montevideo carrying 700 of the Graf Spee's crew, who will be interned. Others are reported to be en route to Buenos Aires in two tugs and launches. It is officially stated that all a: rate. The Graf Spee was on the bottom three minutes after the first explosion. It was later revealed that the Tacoma transferred the Graf Spee's crew before re-entering harbour. Tire entire crew Is en route to Buenos Aires where they are expected to be treated as survivors of a marine disaster and will not be interned.

The German Embassy issued a statement by Captain Langsdorff written before sailing protesting against Uruguay’s refusal "to give time to place the ship in proper navigable condition. In the circumstances there is nothing for me to do but to sink the ship by blowing her up near the coast and disembarking as many of the crew as possible.” Captain Langsdorff’s statement revealed that he sought to remain for 15 days. He emphasised that the Uruguayan Commission was convinced that the engines and armaments were so little damaged that there was no fear that the stay would be used to reinforce limited potentiality and might also have been convinced that repair to the hull damage was indispensable to put the ship into a condition to resist the dangers of navigation. Moreover there was damage to the galley, the functioning of which was indispensable to the life of the ship on the high seas. Captain Langsdorff continued that customs officers stopped shore workmen at 6 p.m. on Saturday for several hours and allowed resumption of work only after intervention by the German Legation. He added: The Uruguayan ruling forces me to abandon Montevideo with the ship not repaired in a manner necessary for security of navigation. To sally the high seas would be negligently endangering the crew. I emphasise that I do not refer to th? danger of enemy action, but exclusively general dangers of navigation.”

It is reported without confirmation that Captain Langsdorff telephoned Hitler, and was instructed to destroy the ship rather than let the British do so. German sources are certain that all the crew are safe. It is estimated that 500,000 watched the scuttling. Former prisoners on the Graf Spee Include Mr A. D. Dickson, of Auckland. from the steamer Tairoa. A New York message states that the position where the Graf Spee sank is given as latitude 34 56 south, longtitude 56/14 west. No official announcement is available about the strength of the Allied flotilla waiting outside Montevideo for the Graf Spee, but it was stated in London that it was believed that the “vessel’s second battle would be much bigger than her first.” H.M.S. Renown and H.M.S. Ark Royal called at Rio de Janeiro, a thousand miles to the north, this morning to refuel. Full Support For Action Before the Graf Spee sailed representatives of the Americas assured Dr Alberto Guani (Uruguayan Foreign Minister) of their full support for Uruguay’s actions. - The Germans published notes exchanged between Captain Langsdorff and the port authorities showing that the Graf Spee had only an hour and 45 minutes in which to leave or be interned. This was because a British freighter put to sea at 6.15 p.m. on December 16, thereby preventing the