Battle of the River Plate

Background

Admiral Graf Spee had been at sea at the start of the Second World War in September 1939 and had sunk several merchantmen.

Related Topics:
Second World War - September - 1939

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The Royal Navy assembled forces to search for the surface raider. Force G, the South American Cruiser Squadron comprised the County class heavy cruiser HMS Exeter (8,400 tonnes, six 8-inch (203 mm) guns) and two Leander class light cruisers (both 7,000 tons, eight 6-inch (152 mm) guns) — HMS Ajax and HMS Achilles 1. The force was commanded by Commodore Henry Harwood from Ajax, which was captained by Charles Woodhouse. Achilles was of the New Zealand Division (precursor to the Royal New Zealand Navy) and captained by Edward Parry. Exeter was captained by F.S. Bell. A second County class cruiser, HMS Cumberland (10,000 tons, eight 8-inch (203 mm) guns) was self-refitting in the Falkland Islands at the time, though available at short notice.

Related Topics:
County class - Heavy cruiser - HMS ''Exeter'' - Inch - Mm - Leander class - Light cruiser - Tons - HMS ''Ajax'' - HMS ''Achilles'' - 1 - Henry Harwood - Charles Woodhouse - New Zealand - Royal New Zealand Navy - Edward Parry - HMS ''Cumberland'' - Falkland Islands

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Unable to divide his force, Harwood suspected that the raider would try to strike next at the merchant shipping off the River Plate estuary between Uruguay and Argentina. The three cruisers were convened off the estuary on 12 December and conducted manoeuvres.

Related Topics:
River Plate - Uruguay - Argentina - 12 December

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