THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE 1939.

German campaigns and battles 1919-1945.

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tigre
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Re: THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE 1939.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; something more, but first a little correction....................
N.O. (Signal Officer)
the N.O. is not the Signal Officer but the Navigation Officer.

Decision issued in a borderline situation: Kapitän zur See Hans Langsdorff before and in Montevideo 1939.

In Port.

An entry in the diary of the Artillery Officer realizes the gravity of the drama in this dawn. Rasenack wrote: "I woke up around 04:50 AM and received the order to destroy the artillery system. I went to the commander to confirm the order. He had just arrived, and neither could fix anything in this endeavor. He looked very overworked and bleary-eyed. In low voice he confirmed this crucial order. "

With charges of hand grenades and hammers began the work of destruction inside the ship. The most precious central chronometers were saved - may still be necessary. During the evening meeting at the embassy it was discussed the situation of the crew. Under all circumstances should avoid being interned in Uruguay. For a transfer to Argentina they were considered the German freighter "Tacoma" and "Lahn" present in Montevideo. The "Tacoma" was ordered to be ready to sail on 17 December and follow the warship. However, since large freighters, due to their draft, can not run the direct route from Montevideo to Buenos Aires an alternative was envisaged and with the help of the naval attache, the Inspector of Hamburg-Süd in Buenos Aires, Captain Rudolf Hepe was commissioned to get three barges and make them sail for Montevideo on the night of December 17. Soon after, over the phone, encrypted confirmation came from Buenos Aires: "Everything in order .... provided two tugs and one light." This logistical support, which works to the last minute, remained hidden in almost all the stories about the end the Graf Spee. The essential action was to evacuate the entire crew to a German-friendly Argentina, where the sailors could have a benevolent regime of internment.

On the evening of December 17 the ship was scuttled by its own crew, which was totally rescued. In focus remained the borderline situation of a naval officer who breaking with tradition, followed his conscience and saved the lives of 1103 men. This was clearly reflected in the diary of the NCO (Maschinen-Obermaaten) Hans Götz that quoted the commander on December 17: "I will not let go out to the sea together to fight against a superior enemy force. I will prefer rather 1000 young alive than 1000 dead heroes"........................

Source: Führungsentscheidung in einer Grenzsituation:Kapitän zur See Hans Langsdorff vor und in Montevideo 1939.Vortrag für Klaus-Jürgen Müller zum 80 Geburtstag in der Helmut-Schmidt-Universität am 11. März 2010.

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
Last sight of the Graf Spee before the explosion of the explosive charges to scuttle the ship ..................<br />orig. Fotoalbum Nr. 2, Panzerschiff Graf Spee v. Langsdorff, Top
Last sight of the Graf Spee before the explosion of the explosive charges to scuttle the ship ..................
orig. Fotoalbum Nr. 2, Panzerschiff Graf Spee v. Langsdorff, Top
image002.jpg (19.53 KiB) Viewed 1934 times
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Prosper Vandenbroucke
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Re: THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE 1939.

Post by Prosper Vandenbroucke »

Nice pics. (here and also in the other topics)
Many thanks to you Raul.
Best regards
Prosper :wink:
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tigre
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Re: THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE 1939.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; You're welcome :wink:. Now two pictures................

Scuttled!

Source: in the pictures.

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
THE NAVAL REVIEW. February 1940.
THE NAVAL REVIEW. February 1940.
image008.png (198.46 KiB) Viewed 1893 times
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GRAF-SPEE-KRIEGSMARINE-GERMAN-BATTLESHIP-PICTURE-/381317269684?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&amp;hash=item58c847c8b4#ht_546wt_922
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GRAF-SPEE-KRIEGSMARINE-GERMAN-BATTLESHIP-PICTURE-/381317269684?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item58c847c8b4#ht_546wt_922
image010.jpg (29.39 KiB) Viewed 1893 times
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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