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2008-12-13 -Short Attention Span Theater-

Today in History: the Battle of the River Plate

On 13 December the ships sighted each other and closed. Admiral Graf Spee, despite having correctly identified Exeter, initially suspected that the two light cruisers were smaller destroyers and that the British ships were protecting a merchant convoy, the destruction of which would be a major prize. Since Admiral Graf Spee's reconnaissance aircraft was out of service, Langsdorf relied on lookouts for this information. He decided to engage despite having received a broadly accurate report from the German naval staff on 4 December outlining British activity in the River Plate area. This report included information that Ajax, Achilles, Exeter and Cumberland were patrolling the South American coast. Langsdorf realized too late that he was facing three cruisers. . . .

Posted by Mike 2008-12-13 10:54|| || Front Page|| [11134 views ] Top

Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2008-12-13 18:07|| 2008-12-13 18:07|| Front Page Top

#2 Heh. Wasn't fair, bastid poms ganged up on 'em and them used the Law of the Sea of 'em..

Here USNA explains the technical aspekts of the duel....

Posted by .5MT 2008-12-13 19:28|| www.cybernations.net]">[www.cybernations.net] 2008-12-13 19:28|| Front Page Top

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