sign in sign up
<<
Home , Depot ship, Hans Langsdorff, HMS Achilles (F12), HMS Exeter (68), Light cruiser, Scuttling

The Battle of the River Plate

The New Zealand Story hen the The 82-minute engagement between the HMS Achilles Graf Spee and its three smaller British opened fire on opponents –Achilles, Ajax and Exeter – the German was inconclusive. All four were damaged, ‘pocket with the British suffering 72 Wbattleship’ Admiral Graf Spee in the fatalities (two of them New Zealanders) South Atlantic, at 6.21 a.m. on 13 to the Graf Spee’s 36. But the German December 1939, it became the first ’s subsequent withdrawal to the New Zealand unit to strike a blow at neutral Uruguayan port of , the enemy in the Second World War. and its dramatic by its own With the New Zealand flying crew on 17 December, turned the Battle proudly from her mainmast – as battle of the River Plate into a major British loomed, a signalman had run aft with victory – and a welcome morale boost By Ian McGibbon the ensign shouting ‘Make way for the for the Allied cause. Achilles’ role in the History Group, Digger !’ – Achilles also became the battle was a special source of pride for Ministry for Culture and Heritage first New Zealand warship to take part New Zealanders, who welcomed the in a naval battle. ’s crew home at huge parades in Paintings Auckland and Wellington in early 1940. (Cover) Edward S. Annison, The “Achilles” opening the attack on the “Graf Spee”, 1939, oil, Ref: AAAC 898 NCWA 384, National Collection of War Art, Archives New Zealand

Frank Norton, HMS “Achilles” in the Battle of the River Plate, 1940, gouache, Ref: AAAC 898 NCWA Q223, National Collection of War Art, Archives New Zealand

Photography Source S.D. Waters, Achilles at the River Plate, War History Branch, Wellington, 1948

1 New Zealand’s naval forces and personnel. Senior officers, including Britain depended (for Britain’s survival as a In December 1939 the New Zealand naval Achilles’ captain Edward (later Rear-Admiral market and source of support was forces were a quarter of a century old. Sir Edward) Parry, were seconded British vital to New Zealand). The Royal They had come into being with the arrival officers. In 1939 the New Zealand and the many strategically located bases of the decrepit training cruiser HMS comprised 82 officers and 1257 ratings, of it controlled gave Britain the means of Philomel at Wellington in July 1914. Almost whom eight officers and 716 ratings were protecting its vital sea lanes. Although the immediately, however, the outbreak of the New Zealanders; supporting them was a approaches to the British Isles obviously First World War interrupted New Zealand’s 670-strong New Zealand Volunteer Naval needed the most protection, given the naval development plans. Philomel was Reserve. New Zealand sent its personnel to proximity of powerful potential enemies, returned to Admiralty control and headed off Britain for training, relied on British logistic trade protection was a worldwide effort – to the Middle East. For the next three years support, and looked to the coordinated by the Admiralty in . it was used in a role, mainly in the for traditions, advice and example. New Zealand’s role was to assist this effort by Persian Gulf, occasionally carrying out shore A small element of the wider British fleet, making available the resources it could spare bombardments and landing shore parties. this force would be placed under the to bolster the collective effort. In 1917, no longer fit for service, it returned operational control of the Admiralty on to New Zealand and was de-commissioned, the outbreak of war, in accordance with The Royal Navy and New Zealand’s defence strategy. The threat to New Zealand becoming a at Devonport. the many strategically Physical protection posed a greater problem. Following the war New Zealand resumed its The biggest threat in the interwar period located bases it naval programme, forming a New Zealand seemed to be posed by the Empire’s former controlled gave Britain Between the world wars New Zealand’s ally . With the scuttling of the German Division of the Royal Navy in 1921 and the means of protecting taking control of the cruiser HMS Chatham. defence was conceived as part of an imperial fleet at in 1919, the Japanese Three years later a more modern cruiser, system based on the power of the Royal Navy. Navy had emerged as the world’s third largest; its vital sea lanes. HMS Dunedin, arrived to replace Chatham. This system provided New Zealand’s physical only the and British fleets were Dunedin was joined by its sister ship HMS security from invasion or attack and also larger. Despite a visit by the US battlefleet in Diomede in 1926. Leander-class light protected the trade routes upon which its 1925 (much larger than any naval visit ever replaced these D-class cruisers in the mid- economy depended. These routes were made by the Royal Navy), New Zealand did 1930s. Achilles joined the New Zealand comparatively restricted in scope because of not count on US support in the event of war The long sea route to Britain – essentially across Division in 1936 and HMS Leander in the the narrow basis of New Zealand’s economy, with Japan. Isolationism was strong there, the Pacific to the Panama Canal and thence following year. which was almost exclusively devoted to and Japan was expected to avoid attacking producing meat, wool and other primary US interests if it went to war with the across the Atlantic – was all-important. As their formal title indicated, the products for the British market. The long sea . New Zealand naval forces developed within route to Britain – essentially across the Pacific a Royal Navy framework. The cruisers were to the Panama Canal and thence across the But was the Royal Navy strong enough to loaned to New Zealand, which merely paid Atlantic – was all-important. assert its power in the Pacific? The admirals in their running costs – a major advantage for London insisted that it was: they developed a cash-strapped government. New Zealand Both countries had an interest in keeping a strategy centred on a major naval base at also depended upon British expertise open this sea route and the others on which . In the event of trouble with Japan

2 3 the British battlefleet would concentrate Navy’s America and West Indies , The which guarded an area through which Of all the battles waged during the Second New Zealand trade passed. The other would World War, arguably the most important was Admiral Graf Spee remain in the South Pacific to guard shipping the Battle of the Atlantic, the struggle to keep Initially Germany’s interwar Although nominally 10,000 from enemy raiders. open the sea routes to the British Isles. naval development had been tons, Admiral Graf Spee probably The outcome of this battle was vital to the constrained by the 1919 Treaty displaced 14,000 tons (the As the international situation darkened in survival of Britain and, later, to the eventual of Versailles, which imposed Germans having cheated on the the last week of August 1939, the likelihood liberation of Europe by providing a staging strict limits on the size and Versailles limits). It was much of these plans being implemented suddenly point for the intervention of American power. number of that it could larger than the British heavy became very real. Both New Zealand This battle, fought by naval and air forces commission. Restricted to a cruisers (about 8000 tons) and cruisers were hurriedly readied for sea. and the civilian seafarers of the Merchant tonnage limit of 10,000 tons, the outgunned them too. Whereas a Ships’ bottoms were cleaned, supplies were Navy, began on the first day of the war and Germans responded by creating British had 8-inch loaded, and crews were brought up to their continued to the last. a class of armoured cruisers guns, Graf Spee boasted six 11- war complements. In HMS Achilles’ case, this (Panzerschiffe). Although cruisers inch guns in two triple turrets, amounted to 31 officers and 536 ratings – At the outset, the battle also involved denying by tonnage, they carried heavier capable of throwing 294-kilogram of whom five officers and 316 ratings were the Atlantic and other sea routes to Germany. guns than existing cruisers. As a shells 27,000 metres. As secondary New Zealanders. An immediate task for the Royal Navy was result the British dubbed them armament, it had eight 5.9 inch to track down and destroy the estimated 237 ‘pocket ’. Three were guns and eight 21-inch Early on 29 August, with Germany preparing German merchant ships at sea or in foreign launched between 1931 and tubes, and it carried two seaplanes. to invade Poland, the Admiralty requested ports. As well as cutting off German trade, 1934: Deutschland, Admiral It was capable of 28 knots at full that the ships move to their war stations. this action would prevent these vessels being Scheer and Admiral Graf Spee. power of its diesel engines. Seven hours later Achilles put to sea, bound armed and used to prey on Allied trade. for Balboa in Panama’s Canal Zone. there, threatening the flank of any Japanese Soon afterwards HMS Leander was For six weeks Achilles played its part in this drive towards the South Pacific. Accepting dispatched to Fanning Island with a 32-man worldwide effort, moving along the coasts of these assurances, New Zealand contributed detachment to guard the cable station there Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia in order a million pounds towards the construction and prevent a raid such as the German East to deter German ship movements. The only of this base. But international developments had mounted at the outset Allied warship on this coast (all the South during the 1930s raised doubts about the of the First World War. American countries were neutral), it was strength of the fleet that could be sent to ready to intercept any German Singapore in an emergency. Achilles was well away from New Zealand heading for refuge in a neutral port or any when shortly after midnight on 3 September of the 17 ships already holed up at various Captain Parry received a signal from London: places that might dare to put to sea. The outbreak of war ‘Commence hostilities against Germany.’ New Zealand’s naval strategy ensured a The previous day he had been ordered In time the Battle of the Atlantic became worldwide perspective in 1939. War plans to change course to the Chilean port of mainly a fight against German U-boats developed by the Admiralty called for one Valparaiso. Achilles arrived there on12 seeking to strangle British sea lines of of New Zealand’s cruisers to join the Royal September 1939. communication. But at the outset there

4 5 was also a significant danger from enemy merchant vessel Clement. The British ship surface vessels: armed merchant raiders and managed to broadcast a distress signal, the German Navy’s warships. In 1939 that providing the first indication that a German navy was not strong enough to challenge raider was operating in the area (although it British command of the seas as it had in the was initially thought to be Admiral Scheer). First World War, but it contained a number of powerful warships, especially suited for . Achilles joins the hunt The aim was to disrupt enemy As a result, Achilles was ordered to quit its sea movements by creating watchdog role along ’s west coast Into the South Atlantic and proceed to the South Atlantic. After a doubt and uncertainty. With war looming in August 1939 Germany, steady passage, and refuelling at the Falkland like Britain, took preparatory steps at sea. Islands, Achilles reached the southern approaches These included deploying the pocket of the River Plate on 26 October. It joined battleships Deutschland and Admiral Graf Commodore Henry (later Admiral Sir Henry) Spee so they could attack seaborne commerce Harwood’s South America Division, which should war erupt. Commanded by Captain had been transferred from the America and , Graf Spee sailed from West Indies Station. The New Zealand ship Wilhelmshaven on 24 August, five days joined the division’s heavy cruisers HMS before HMS Achilles left New Zealand. Exeter and Cumberland and the A support ship, the Altmark, left Ajax in patrolling the Rio de Janeiro/River Germany on 2 September. Plate area. The monotony was broken by a visit to Rio de Janeiro from 10 to 12 Langsdorff’s orders were to cruise near the November, and then a long patrol north as Cape Verde Islands till war began, then far as the northern boundary of , which move into the South Atlantic to operate as was reached on 2 December. a commerce raider. The aim was to disrupt South America Division enemy sea movements by creating doubt In December 1939 the South America Division included the heavy and uncertainty. Since repair or replenishment The next moves cruisers HMS Exeter and Cumberland, each displacing 8400 tons, would be difficult after a major engagement, Meanwhile, Langsdorff had headed around and armed with six 8-inch guns capable of firing 116-kilogram he was to avoid contact with enemy the Cape of Good Hope into the Indian shells 17,000 metres. It also included the light cruiser Ajax, in which naval vessels. Ocean, where he intercepted and destroyed Harwood, from 28 October, flew his pennant as commodore of the several more Allied merchant ships. division. Like Achilles, it displaced about 7000 tons and mounted After exercising near the Cape Verde Islands, He moved back into the South Atlantic eight 6-inch guns that fired 51-kg shells. The cruisers were capable of Graf Spee was finally given the green light on 20 November. On 2 December, in the 32 knots. by Berlin to begin raiding operations on eastern South Atlantic, the Graf Spee sank 26 September. Four days later, the warship the Blue Star Line’s Doric Star, bound from claimed its first victim, sinking the British New Zealand to the with a

6 7 valuable cargo of frozen meat and wool. The battle guns on Exeter. Within six minutes, several The raider distress signal that the Doric Star Faced with a much more heavily armed shells had hit Exeter, causing heavy damage managed to send alerted the Admiralty. German ship, Commodore Harwood’s and loss of life. Despite having one turret British naval authorities pondered the raider’s division faced the prospect of annihilation knocked out, Exeter remained in action, and next move. It would clearly not stick around on the morning of 13 December 1939. took more hits. At 6.32 it fired torpedoes the area, but where would it go next? With its longer-ranged guns, Admiral Graf at the enemy ship, but they missed. In all, An important clue was received on 7 December Spee had the means of sinking all three 61 members of Exeter’s crew were killed or when a distress message was picked up from British ships before they could strike back. mortally wounded during the action. the ninth (and last) of Graf Spee’s victims, the But Captain Langsdorff made a major Shaw Savill and Albion steamer Tairoa. tactical blunder. Instead of standing off to While Graf Spee concentrated on Exeter, As this was west of the Doric Star’s position, take advantage of his guns’ longer range, he Ajax and Achilles closed in. Achilles opened it appeared the German ship was heading for closed with the enemy, perhaps mistaking fire at 6.21 a.m. andAjax two minutes later. the east coast of South America. the light cruisers for . Their 16 smaller guns scored numerous hits, though the damage was limited by the Harwood was conscious of three focal points Despite the dangers, Harwood did not small weight of the shells. Even so, the fire for British trade – the Falklands Islands, hesitate. Imbued with the Royal Navy’s discomfited the Germans and, at 6.30, Rio de Janeiro and the River Plate – where traditional aggressive spirit, he immediately they again split their main armament. a raider might expect rich pickings. put into effect his tactical plan. ‘My policy One 11-inch fired on the light He concluded that the River Plate was with three cruisers in company versus cruisers. Ajax was straddled by shells the most likely target and decided to one pocket – attack at once by three times. concentrate his force there. Achilles, having day or night,’ he had advised his cruiser returned from its patrol along the Brazilian commanders. He intended to divide his Achilles did not escape unscathed. At 6.40 a coast, had already arrived in Montevideo force so that the enemy warship (still near miss sent splinters tearing through on 8 December. Ordered to sea the next the director control tower, killing four An important clue was thought to be Admiral Scheer) would have day, it joined Ajax on the 10th. Although to split its heavy armament or leave one ratings – two of them New Zealanders – and received on 7 December Cumberland, refitting in the Falklands, was seriously wounding three more. Captain group unengaged. HMS Exeter now headed when a distress message unavailable, Exeter arrived to join the light Parry and five others were slightly wounded. towards one flank, its two consorts towards cruisers at 6.30 a.m. on 12 December. was picked up from the the other. ninth (and last) of Graf When smoke was spotted on the horizon at Spee’s victims, the Shaw 6.14 a.m. next morning, and the ship was The enemy breaks off quickly identified as a pocket battleship, Into action Graf Spee now retired to the west at full Savill and Albion steamer Harwood’s guess was vindicated. But, as Graf Spee opened fire at 6.18 a.m. at a range speed. With Exeter out of the fight, the Tairoa. alarm rattlers alerted the crews, he had no of just under 20,000 metres. Exeter, closing German ship could concentrate on Ajax time for self-satisfied reflection. Within fast, replied two minutes later. At first the and Achilles. The latter, carrying out what minutes his division was in action. Germans responded to Harwood’s tactic was later described as ‘beautiful shooting’, by splitting their armament, but then continued to score hits. But the weight of the concentrated the fire of all six 11-inch German shells presented a major threat.

8 9 Gunnery officer Lieutenant At 7.40 a.m. the light cruisers turned away R.E. Washbourn describes under smoke. In the 82-minute action the blow suffered by Achilles’ sweating gun crews had fired more Achilles than 200 at the German ship.

A more aggressive German might ‘I was only conscious of a hellish noise and a thump on the Milburn had been killed outright. I discovered at the same have persisted with the action, or at least head which half stunned me. I ordered automatically: “A.C.P. time that Sergeant Trimble had uncomplainingly and most finished offExeter. But Langsdorff decided [After Control Position] take over.” Six heavy splinters had courageously remained at his post throughout the hour to break off and head for a neutral port to entered the D.C.T. [Director Control Tower]. The right-hand of action that followed the hits on the D.C.T., although effect repairs. He set course for the River Plate side of the upper compartment was a shambles. Both W/T seriously wounded. Mr Watts carried out his duties most ably estuary. The battle became a pursuit, as the ratings were down with multiple injuries … A.B. Sherley had throughout … He calmly tended the wounded … until his British light cruisers shadowed their enemy. dropped off his platform, bleeding copiously from a gash in rate-keeping was again required. There were occasional flurries asGraf Spee his face and wounds in both thighs. Sergeant Trimble, RM, turned on its pursuers, firing salvoes to the spotting observer, was also severely wounded … A.B. Boy Dorset behaved with exemplary coolness, despite the keep them back; several fell close to the Shaw slumped forward on to his instrument, dead, with carnage around him. He passed information to the guns and British ships. Eventually, after traversing 300 multiple wounds in his chest … The rate officer, Mr. Watts, repeated their reports clearly for my information. He was miles, Graf Spee entered the Uruguayan port quickly passed me a yard or so of bandage, enabling me heard at one time most vigorously denying the report of his of Montevideo. It dropped anchor shortly to effect running repairs to my slight scalp wounds which untimely demise that somehow had spread round the ship. after midnight. were bleeding fairly freely. I then redirected my attention “I’m not dead. It’s me on the end of this phone,” he said. Sixteen-year-old Seaman Boy Arthur Hunt recalled going into to the business in hand, while Mr Watts clambered round The director layer, Petty Officer Meyrick, and the trainer, battle aboard Achilles behind me to do what he could for the wounded. Word was Petty Officer Headon, are also to be commended for keeping ‘Whistles – clanging bells – shouted orders – and the After the battle passed that the D.C.T. was all right again. A.B. Sherley was up an accurate output for a prolonged action of over 200 removed by a medical party during the action. Considerable broadsides … The rangetakers, Chief Petty Officer Boniface clatter of hundreds of booted sailors rushing for their By the morning of 14 December 1939 the difficulty was experienced, the right-hand door of the D.C.T. and A.B. Gould, maintained a good range plot throughout stations. This was the moment all our months of dreary damaged Admiral Graf Spee was anchored in being jammed by splinter damage. When the medical party the action, disregarding the body of a telegraphist who fell neutral Montevideo. Under international law, training had led to. The whole ship’s company moved arrived to remove the dead, I learned for the first time through the door on top of them …’ a belligerent warship entering a neutral port that both Telegraphist Stennett and Ordinary Telegraphist with precision, and every man knew that this time it had only a limited time to carry out repairs was real, that the day of the mock battle was over.’ before being forced to put to sea.

10 11 With reinforcements steaming at full speed off and scuttling charges were blown. for the River Plate, the British were anxious The Graf Spee settled on the shallow seabed, to delay Graf Spee’s departure as long as a smoking ruin. Its crew was landed in possible. They used another rule , , where they were that prevented an enemy warship from interned. Langsdorff committed suicide soon leaving a neutral port for 24 hours after afterwards. one of the other side’s merchant ships did so. Several Allied merchant ships duly put to sea, but it was unclear whether Captain The battle’s significance Langsdorff would abide by the rule. British The British victory The immediate outcome of the battle gave naval authorities were relieved when HMS the Admiralty much satisfaction. A major gave a huge boost to Cumberland arrived to join the vulnerable threat to Atlantic shipping had been Commonwealth morale. Ajax and Achilles late on 14 December 1939. removed, a powerful German warship was It was the first bloody Langsdorff was convinced that even stronger forces had arrived off the estuary. destroyed, and many Royal Navy ships nose inflicted on the could now be released to other duties. Germans. There was trepidation aboard the waiting But the psychological and moral impact British cruisers. Their adversary was still was even more important than its material lethal, and the outcome of a new engagement outcome. The British victory gave a huge was by no means assured. But Langsdorff boost to Commonwealth morale. It was the was pessimistic about his chances of breaking first bloody nose inflicted on the Germans. through the enemy ring he now believed lay Achilles’ contribution to the victory was also in every theatre of war in which the navy between him and the sea. Motivated by a Achilles’ role was a special source of pride a boost for the New Zealand naval forces. operated. At the peak of its strength, in July desire to avoid useless loss of life among his to New Zealanders. Their men had come It seemed to justify the effort and resources 1945, the (as it had crew, he decided to scuttle his ship rather through the test of combat with colours put into them over the previous 25 years. become in October 1941) had 10,649 men than to go down fighting. Berlin agreed to flying. There was huge excitement when The action foreshadowed the full part and women in its ranks. his plan. Achilles returned to New Zealand in February New Zealand would play in the naval war 1940, the Admiralty having decided that it over the next six years. Not just New Zealand Graf Spee weighed anchor at 6.17 p.m. on should be repaired at Auckland rather than warships were involved. This country also 17 December. Watched by thousands of , as originally planned. A parade and provided many thousands of men to serve on Further information spectators on shore, it headed slowly towards civic reception was held in Auckland, and secondment in the Royal Navy. They were Battle of the River Plate, URL: http://www. the sea. The ship stopped, its crew was taken the crew later also paraded in Wellington. deployed throughout the fleet, and found NZHistory.net.nz/war/battle-of-river-plate

12 As the international situation darkened in the last week of August 1939, the likelihood of these plans being implemented suddenly became very real.

14