battle-of-the-river-plate-commemorative-booklet

BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE ◊ 2972 hoursrespiteWith the battle over, GRAf spee sought the normal24 hours allowed. This allowed Langsdorff to see to his injuredand casualties, consult with his superiors and consider hisoptions. Ultimately, under duress from Germany, Langsdorffelected to scuttle his vessel. When the ADMIRAL GRAf spee’stime ran out, the vessel was steamed slowly out of the estuarytowards open water. On reaching the limit of Uruguayan territorialwaters Langsdorff and his crew were taken off by Argentinebarges. Langsdorff had requested permission to go down withhis ship but had been denied by the Uruguayan authorities whodidn’t want his blood on their hands. As the sun set, the crew ofthe ADMIRAL GRAf spee watched in silence as a series of plantedcharges blew up the pocket battle ship and it settled into theshallow water mud of the River plate tidal estuary.A MAN oF HoNouRHans Langsdorff was buried in the German section of theLa Chacarita Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina and washonoured by both his own people and the British and her allies forhis honourable conduct. Langsdorff died a captain’s death; havingfollowed his orders and faithfully fulfilled his duty while maintainingat all times his own personal code of honour and decency.BibliographyWaters, S.D., Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War-The Royal New Zealand Navy, Government Printer, Wellington,New Zealand, 1956.C. Peter Chen, ‘Hans Langsdorff”, ww2db.comADMIRAL GRAF SPEE sunkCaptain Langsdorff at the funeral of his menBy Kelly Ana Morey“The first thing I saw was a blobof smoke on the horizon.…It was about 6.30 in themorning…. honestly I thinkeverybody was relieved at last,the weight was off our shoulders,here it was. It was on …. “chief Yeoman of signals Lincoln “Bully” Martinson joined theNew Zealand Division of the Royal Navy in 1921 at 16 as a signalboy. He had been serving on board the Leander class cruiserHMs AcHILLes since early in 1939. He was quietly drinking acup of tea when the German raider the ADMIRAL GRAf speecame steaming into view shortly after dawn on 13 December1939. As a result of a discussion the night before betweenMartinson and captain parry, the Battle ensign along with theNew Zealand flag was hoisted, much to the delight of her crewas they secured the ship for action and prepared to do battle.GRAF SPEE on fireACHILLES followed by AJAX