Graf Spee In Montevideo 

The Graf Spee’s problem was that one British shell had destroyed their diesel fuel purification plant (most warships used fuel oil, the Graf Spee used diesel). So they could not treat any more of their diesel. I.e. only a small reserve of already-treated fuel was available - enough for a short distance of sailing. Lansdorf’s options were: (a) sail out & engage again - and certainly perish as even if he prevailed he would then run out of fuel and be adrift until more British warship arrived to finish him off; (b) allow the Graf Spee to be interned - and likely end up being adopted by the British navy; (c) race up the shallows into Argentinean waters - and likely end up as (a) or aground; or (d) scuttle. Clearly (d) was the logical choice.

As a very young boy, my father saw the Graf Spee steam off the bay of Mvdeo from the end of the breakwater.

An early WW2 episode . . . that seems entirely divorced from the rest of the war.

Herr Lanfsdorf was not a member of the Nazi Party but a highly decorate office of the kriegsmarine who bravely saved many lives in both sides after being denied more time and spare parts to fix the rudder and fight on equivalent conditions. This year´s december it will mark the 80th anniversary of his death in Buenos Aires where he is buried in the German Cemetery.

This is a sad story. Captain Lansdorff by all accounts was an honorable man. It's a shame that he felt he had to kill himself.

Amazing changes in technology. It took 5 days to rush the pictures back to the UK. Now…..a smart phone, instant streaming.

Excelente documental,nunca lo habia visto!

Langsdorff was found draped in the Imperial Flag of Germany after he shoot himself so his family wouldn't be persecuted. He said he did it because he was supposed to go down with the Spee. If that were the case I believe he would have tried at least go down while probably taking down a ship or two with him. The Spee was hit around 60 times but still was able to put up a fight. He possibly could have hit the Achilles and Ajax before the Spee came in range. Langsdorff sent 9 merchant ships to the bottom without one lost life. He is even considered a hero in Britain.

Very good!!

(Portuguese Version) O capitão Hans Wilhelm Langsdorff, na verdade sentiu que o navio: Admiral Graf Spee, não tinha mais condições de combate e que a sua embarcação, devido as graves avarias sofridas em seu casco, em seus canhões e na sala de refino de óleo, o impossibilitava de retornar ao combate em alto mar, mas ele sabia que dadas às circunstâncias, seria um alvo fácil para os três navios Ingleses, se por acaso ele tenta-se guerrear. Como um grande capitão, ele salvou sua tripulação e por orgulho e lealdade aos nazistas e a seu Fuher, explodiu a própria embarcação para não ser humilhado e afundado pela frota inglesa, coisa que certamente aconteceria. (English Version) Captain Hans Wilhelm Langsdorff actually felt that the ship: Admiral Graf Spee, was no longer able to fight and that his vessel, due to serious damage to its hull, its cannons and the oil refining room, the made it impossible to return to combat on the high seas, but he knew that under the circumstances, he would be an easy target for the three English ships, should he try to make war. As a great captain, he saved his crew and out of pride and loyalty to the Nazis and his Fuher, he blew up his own vessel so as not to be humiliated and sunk by the English fleet, which he certainly would. (Spanish Version) El capitán Hans Wilhelm Langsdorff en realidad sintió que el barco, el almirante Graf Spee, ya no podía luchar y que su barco, debido a los graves daños en el casco, los cañones y la sala de refinación de petróleo, hacía imposible volver al combate en en alta mar, pero sabía que, dadas las circunstancias, sería un blanco fácil para los tres barcos ingleses si intentaba hacer la guerra. Como gran capitán, salvó a su tripulación y por orgullo y lealtad a los nazis y su Fuher, hizo estallar su propio barco para no ser humillado y hundido por la flota inglesa, lo que sin duda haría.

interesting footage but totally unsuitable and way too loud music.

Ein Schiff eine internationale Ikone. In URUGUAY ein Heiligtum. Ein Schiff vs eine ganze NAVY

question did the British merchant men and the crew of the Graf Spee remain interned in Montevideo for the remained of WW2

And people being killed on Exeter?

It's being added to War Thunder.

The most attractive ship of ww2 Classic lines , my favourite ship.

There's a gun laying radar visible, !!

yeah but he sunk alot of merchant ships before he bought it. im sure the campaign did not sit will with him.

small adversary.......3 light cruisers buddy.......

gibt auf Deutsch ?????

I would have raised a skeleton crew including gunners and gone out to a last stand. Why commit suicide when one can die in glorious battle? No honor there to be had. I would go out like a warrior and if successful become a legend

Illarious, when the British narrator refer to the damages made by the 3 to 5 British war ships and skips the fact that Graf Spee sunk 9 ships of her magesty's navy... And there are still stupid idiots who think that the war crimes done by the allies can be equalized by the "Nazi" nature of the German officers, who were the only officers that fully complied to the GC.

I understand it took only a dozen british warships to fight the already damaged Graf Spee? This was so brave of the English fleet, I actually had expected they would wait for another 10 or 20 battleships to arrive before they tried to attack...