Battle of the river plate

by Siripathy Jayamaha

History has told us about the battles fought by man against man. A few memorable battles during the past two centuries. The battles of Waterloo and Trafalgar. An ignominious retreat in the snow clad mountains of Moscow and the tragic end of an army on the beaches of Dunkirk.

December 1939 - The world read and heard about one of the most dramatic battles of the Second World War.

A tiny pocket German battleship - Admiral Graf Spee was causing havoc and terror in the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Known as 'The Tiger of the seas', she ruthlessly hunted Allied shipping sinking more than 50,000 tons.

The Graf Spee

That December she was outmanoeuvred by three cruisers. Achilles of the Royal New Zealand Navy, and the British 'Exeter' and the 'Ajax.' Graf Spee was compelled to divide her fire. The badly damaged ship limped into the port of Montevideo, the capital of neutral Uruguay. It steamed up the colossal estuary of the River Plate towards the peaceful harbour. The hunter became the hunted. 'Exeter' steamed away for repairs to the Falkland Islands. Ajax and Achilles settled down to await its prey in the estuary outside Uruguay's territorial waters. The people of Montevideo thronged the waterside. The war had come at last to their peaceful shores. Offices of the country's President, Foreign Ministry, British French and German legations were on red alert. Radio messages and cables had broken the news to the world. An excited world wondered, the powers that be pondered and a brave captain of the Graf Spee wandered on the final outcome.

Respected

The Foreign Minister of Uruguay, Dr. Alberto Guami was a wise and respected man, respected the world over for the untiring efforts he had taken in organising the League of Nations. Today he was a nervous wreck amidst conflicting cables from the European capitals. 3.30 in the morning, he summoned the principals concerned with the fate of the Graf Spee.

The German diplomatic chief and the captain Hans Langsdorf entered. The latter had looked haggard from lack of sleep and the pain from a few injuries. His beloved Graf Spee was the prima donna in the world's headlines. Dr. Guami had been fascinated as Captain Landsdorf had told him about the damage to his ship's galleys. He reported 30 dead and more than 60 wounded. He requested asylum until repairs were effected. Later, Dr. Guami told the world that he saw a brave man in the Captain's eyes and in the sincere gestures he had made on behalf of his beloved ship and those in her confines. A face of a man to whom the incredible had happened. The Foreign Minister assured the two Germans that adequate time will be given under International Law for warships in neutral ports to carry out repairs to make them seaworthy. The Germans left. The legation head gave the Nazi Heil Hitler salute. The German Naval salute by Captain Langsdorf amazed the minister.

The British representative entered with a disarming smile, knowing well that the ships outside Montevideo were arming to finish off the Graf Spee. He requested that the Graf Spee be interned till after the war. The French Legation chief joined and reminded the Minister about the Haque Convention, war ships should be denied permission to make repairs that may increase their fighting efficiency. Dr. Guami assured the two diplomats that the Hague Convention will be observed. Only necessary repairs to make it seaworthy would be permitted.

Dr. Guami was very angry when the French diplomat tried a 'fast one' as we Lankans call. "Mr. Minister, at this very moment, the guns of Graf Spee are trained on Montevideo." A diplomat par excellence Guami had studied Capt. Langsdorf well. He was angry. He showed them out. "Law we understand" he said "But threats we do not." The duo left humiliated. The British and the French decided to keep the Graf Spee under strict surveillance. The British press stationed in Montevideo and Buenos Aires conferred. A gigantic release of disinformation about a number of cruisers speeding towards the 100 mile estuary of the River Plate to buttress the Ajax and the Achilles. This information was leaked to the persons concerned. It even unnerved the British Legation Chief.

Prisoner

Aboard the Graf Spee, humanness and sagacity had reigned up to this minute. Captain Langdorf had always striven to save lives. Many officers and marines taken prisoner had been released at neutral ports. The captains were with him. They and the few prisoners taken had shaved the ups and downs of the Graf Spee. All had developed a tremendous respect for the German Captain. Now, according to law, the prisoners were to be released. For their leader Captain Dove the parting sad. Captain Langdorf wished them well. The two Captains had saluted each other and had discussed about the battle at the River Plate. Two lovely brave and empathetic Captains had marvelled the fighting prowess of both sides. The German Captain had said that he knew about the help on the way. He had confided in Captain Dove that he would take his ship away after repairs. Then he would commit suicide.

Orders were issued to the crew to clean up the wreckage. Everything was done to conceal the damage, rather than expose it. The ship looked in better shape, when the Uruguan government boarding team arrived. Directives for the camouflage had come from Berlin. The Commission gave Captain Langsdorf an ultimatum. Either Graf Spee leave Montevideo at the appointed time given by the damage assessment committee, and later extended by a gracious Foreign Minister or be interned till the end of the war, according to International Law. To Captain Langsdorf it was a death edict.

Next morning, the City of Montevideo witnessed History bound by chains of humaneness. The world heard it with bowed heads. Officers and crew of the Graf Spee laid down their tools to honour their dead. A solemn crowd watched as 36 coffins draped in the Nazi naval flag were brought ashore under a guard of honour. Hearses took the coffins to the British cemetery where ground had been made available to them. It was a tear jerking scene to see hundreds of the dead ones shipmates marching behind the hearses, followed by Captain Langdorf and officers with drawn swords. But the most epoch-making event that made this happening unforgettable was to see all the released officers and Captain Dove marching solemnly behind to pay their respects to the young seamen who had been their affectionate German shipmates. At the cemetery there was no thought of German or British superiority. Only sadness and a feeling of kinship, that embraced the whole human race.

Captain Langdorf sprinkled earth on each coffin. He came up to Capt. Dove. Saluted each other. It was a poignant parting. Dove never saw him again.

Neutral

Later that evening Captain Langdorf and his Chief met Dr. Guami. Langdorf wanted 48 hours for repairs to the super structure. 64 hits, 65 said Guam with a smile.

The two Germans were struck by the words of a gentleman. Then a merchant vessel left the port. International Law says war ships can leave a neutral port only after 24 hours. Strangely, another merchant vessel left 24 hours after the first. Captain Langdorf had bowed and said for you my friend Dr. Guami." The 24-hour ultimatum had suddenly lengthened to 48. Captain Langdorf spoke to Berlin. Perhaps to Hitler himself.

He returned to the ship. People saw much activity in the ship. Members of the Graf Spee were transferred to a German merchant ship "Techoma" anchored close by. A skeleton crew. Thousands thronged the sea front. Many were in tears. Tears for a lofty human being and his crew. Launches and tugs were drawing away from the ship. Anchors were raised. Graf spree was moving. It was moving into the jaws of certain death, once out of Uruguan territorial waters. Halfway she stopped. Thick smoke began to pour out. Loud sounds of explosives.

The super ship Graf Spee was scuttled, and blown up. A proud Admiral Graf Spee settled down at the bottom of an estuary of a peaceful country. The gallant officer and gentleman Captain Hans Langdorf committed suicide draping the Old Imperial German flag after being assured that his crew was safe. A memorable battle, bathed in human understanding.