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Battle of the River Plate

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The Battle of the River Plate was a sea battle during World War II where the raider Graf Spee was tracked down and engaged by several British pursuers.[1] Though the British ships, HMS Ajax, HMS Exeter and HMNZS Achilles, were individually weaker, they were able to cooperate and score several hits on the Graf Spee that forced it to take shelter in Montevideo harbor, in Uruguay.[2] From there the Germans took the ship out in the River Plate estuary and scuttled it.

  • Graf Spee in Montevideo
    Graf Spee in Montevideo
  • Admiral Graf Spee in flames after being scuttled in the River Plate Estuary off Montevideo, Uruguay.
    Admiral Graf Spee in flames after being scuttled in the River Plate Estuary off Montevideo, Uruguay.
  • Scuttling Graf Spee
    Scuttling Graf Spee
  • Damage was visible on HMS Ajax, when moored in Montevideo. 3 January 1940
    Damage was visible on HMS Ajax, when moored in Montevideo. 3 January 1940
  • HMS Exeter was severely damaged
    HMS Exeter was severely damaged
  • HMNZS Achilles lost 2 of her turrets, and expended 80 percent of her ammunition, during the battle.[1]
    HMNZS Achilles lost 2 of her turrets, and expended 80 percent of her ammunition, during the battle.[1]
  • The cruiser HMS Achilles seen from HMS Ajax at the Battle of the River Plate.
    The cruiser HMS Achilles seen from HMS Ajax at the Battle of the River Plate.

References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 A. Cecil Hampshire (1958-12-01). "British Strategy In The River Plate Battle". Proceeding of the U.S. Naval Institute. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
  2. ↑ "On this day: The Battle of River Plate". New Zealand Defence Force. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2025-12-16. The South American Cruiser Squadron of the Royal Navy, under the command of Commodore Henry Harwood, comprised Cumberland (under repair in the Falkland Islands), Exeter, Ajax and Achilles.
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