Admiral Graf Spee was a Deutschland-class heavy cruiser of the German Kriegsmarine. Operating in the south Atlantic in the opening months of the Second World War, she sank nine merchant vessels before being confronted by three British cruisers at the Battle of the River Plate. Although badly damaging the opposing ships, Admiral Graf Spee was also damaged and sought refuge in the port of Montevideo.
Deceived into believing a superior force was awaiting her departure, she was scuttled by her crew on 17 December 1939.
Admiral Graf Spee Being Launched June 30, 1934Admiral Graf Spee Being Launched June 30, 1934Admiral Graf Spee Being Launched June 30, 1934Admiral Graf Spee Being Launched June 30, 1934
Photos of Admiral Graf Spee
Early 1936 Admiral Graf Spee seen soon after completion.Admiral Graf Spee seen in late 1936 or early 1937Admiral Graf Spee seen in late 1936 or early 1937Admiral Graf Spee seen in late 1936 or early 1937May 1937 Admiral Graf Spee at the Spithead Naval Review representing Germany at the coronationMay 1937 Admiral Graf Spee at the Spithead Naval Review in company with HMS Hood (top)May 1937 Admiral Graf Spee at the Spithead Naval Review representing Germany at the coronationJuly 1938 Admiral Graf Spee in a Norwegian Fjord.1938 Admiral Graf Spee in the Kaiser Wilhelm CanalOctober 1938 Admiral Graf Spee returning from an Atlantic cruise.Admiral Graf Spee in European waters in mid-1939, prior to her departure for the south AtlanticApril 1939 Admiral Graf Spee in the Atlantic during a naval exercise.April 1939 Admiral Graf Spee with Deutschland following during a naval exercise in the AtlanticApril 1939 Admiral Graf Spee in the English Channel en route to the Atlantic for a naval exerciseApril 1939 Admiral Graf Spee with Deutschland following during a naval exercise in the AtlanticLate May 1939 Admiral Graf Spee in Hamburg, Germany welcoming troops of the Condor Legion home from SpainAugust 22, 1938 Admiral Graf Spee at Kiel for the launching of the Prinz EugenAdmiral Graf Spee in the English Channel in August 1939November 27, 1939 A set of false guns to disguise the true identity of the Admiral Graf Spee are added above the forward turretAdmiral Graf Spee pushing through heavy seas in the South Atlantic
Detail Photos
July 1938 Admiral Graf Spee at Kiel, Germany undergoing modifications.December 1939 Admiral Graf Spee on patrol in the Atlantic. Note the banner on the superstructureAdmiral Graf Spee’s BridgeAdmiral Graf Spee’s BridgeGraf Spee’s Forward Triple 11″ Guns1939 A single 5.9″/55 (150mm) and a twin 4.1″/65 (105mm) gun mounts on the Admiral Graf Spee.Admiral Graf Spee’s Number Two 10.5cm/65 twin anti-aircraft gunNumber Four 15cm/55 gun mount second gun in the forward port side group photographed on board her wreck on 2 February 1940One of Admiral Graf Spee’s Arado AR-196 aircraft.
Battle of the River Plate
December 13, 1939 Splinters from shells fired by HMNZS Achilles hitting the water around the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 13, 1939 Splinters from shells fired by HMNZS Achilles hitting the water around the Admiral Graf 2December 13, 1939 Shell splashes around Admiral Graf Spee seen in the distance from HMNZS Achilles.December 14, 1939 A hole in the port bow caused by a shell from HMS Exeter.Damage received in the Battle of the River Plate is clearly seenDecember 13, 1939 Damage to the Admiral Graf Spee seen from inside the ship.
In Montevideo
December 14, 1939 An honour guard stands by the coffins of the men killed in the Battle of the River PlateDecember 14, 1939 An honour guard stands by the coffins of the men killed in the Battle of the River PlateDecember 14, 1939 Admiral Graf Spee at MontevideoDecember 14, 1939 Admiral Graf Spee at MontevideoDecember 14, 1939 Admiral Graf Spee at MontevideoDecember 14, 1939 Admiral Graf Spee at MontevideoDecember 14, 1939 Admiral Graf Spee at MontevideoDecember 17, 1939 Admiral Graf Spee at anchor at Montevideo, Uruguay just before departing.December 17, 1939 Admiral Graf Spee at anchor at Montevideo, Uruguay just before departing
Scuttling and Wreck
December 17, 1939 The Admiral Graf Spee exploding off MontevideoDecember 17, 1939 The Admiral Graf Spee exploding off MontevideoDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeDecember 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeThe wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeThe wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeThe wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeThe wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeThe wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeThe wreck of the Admiral Graf SpeeThe wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee
