Battle of the River Plate

The pursuit

The battle now turned into a pursuit. The British and New Zealand cruisers split up keeping about 15 miles (24 km) from Admiral Graf Spee, Ajax keeping to the German's port and Achilles to the starboard.

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At 09:15 Ajax recovered her aircraft. At 09:46 Harwood signalled to Cumberland for reinforcements and the Admiralty also ordered ships within 3,000 miles (5,000 km) to proceed to the River Plate.

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At 10:05 Achilles had overestimated the Graf Spee's speed and came into range of German guns. Admiral Graf Spee turned and fired two three-gun salvoes with her foreguns. Achilles turned away under a smokescreen.

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The shadowing continued for the rest of the day until 19:15, when Admiral Graf Spee turned and opened fire on Ajax, who turned away under a smokescreen.

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It was now clear that Admiral Graf Spee was entering the River Plate. As the estuary had sandbanks, Harwood ordered Achilles to shadow Admiral Graf Spee while Ajax would cover any attempt to double back through a different channel.

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The sun set at 20:48, Admiral Graf Spee silhouetted against the sun. Achilles again had closed the range and Admiral Graf Spee opened fire, Achilles turning away.

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The Graf Spee entered Montevideo in neutral Uruguay and dropped anchor at about 00:10 on the 14 December. This was a political error, as Uruguay, while neutral, favoured the Allies. Buenos Aires, Argentina was on the other side of the wide estuary, and Argentina, while neutral, favoured Germany.

Related Topics:
Neutral - Uruguay - Anchor - 14 December

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The damaged Ajax was withdrawn, leaving the 'Achilles' as the only Commonwealth warship available if the 'Admiral Graf Spee' should reappear.

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