This might be the most fascinating entry in the "Victory at Sea" series up to this point, as it deals with an aspect of World War II rarely mentioned in the history books - the battle in the South Atlantic. Though both Germany and Japan sent submarines into the 'other' ocean, the emphasis here is on the German presence above and below sea. Some five years prior to Pearl Harbor, Hitler demanded that his naval leaders undertake a major buildup of forces in the Atlantic, even though they were no match for England's Royal Navy. The star of the German fleet was the pocket battleship Graf Spee, stealthily menacing and hunting down dozens of Allied ships.
However while the Graf Spee was on the hunt, it in turn was being hunted. Led by British cruisers Exeter, Ajax and Achilles, the Graf Spee came under fire and was severely damaged enough to seek a port of refuge at Montevideo, Uruguay. The country offered only a limited space of two weeks to effect repairs, and the ship found itself trapped, not welcome to stay, and impossible to leave as the British ships had her cornered. On December 17, 1939, the Graf Spee committed suicide by blowing herself up rather than be taken by the Brits.
Perhaps the most amazing aspect of this episode deals with the emergence of Brazil as an Allied naval partner. Granted, my knowledge of WWII naval history up to this point has been fairly limited, but this was something I would never have considered. In doing so, Brazil took on an important role as a partner of America and Great Britain in denying the South Atlantic to the Axis.
However while the Graf Spee was on the hunt, it in turn was being hunted. Led by British cruisers Exeter, Ajax and Achilles, the Graf Spee came under fire and was severely damaged enough to seek a port of refuge at Montevideo, Uruguay. The country offered only a limited space of two weeks to effect repairs, and the ship found itself trapped, not welcome to stay, and impossible to leave as the British ships had her cornered. On December 17, 1939, the Graf Spee committed suicide by blowing herself up rather than be taken by the Brits.
Perhaps the most amazing aspect of this episode deals with the emergence of Brazil as an Allied naval partner. Granted, my knowledge of WWII naval history up to this point has been fairly limited, but this was something I would never have considered. In doing so, Brazil took on an important role as a partner of America and Great Britain in denying the South Atlantic to the Axis.
