1940 The Victors of the River Plate

British Newsreel. February 26, 1940. The German propaganda machine had reported that Admiral Graf Spee had sunk a heavy cruiser and heavily damaged two light cruisers while only being lightly damaged herself. (This had a degree of truth in it - Exeter had been seriously damaged and was practically a hulk, while Admiral Graf Spee's damage appeared superficial rather than structural). Admiral Graf Spee's scuttling however was a severe embarrassment and difficult to explain on the basis of publicly available facts. The Battle of the River Plate was a contributory factor to Adolf Hitler's low opinion of the German surface fleet.The battle was a major propaganda victory for the British during the Phony War, and the reputation of First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill was enhanced.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Battle
• River
• Plate
• Admiral
• Graf
• Spee
• Heavy
• Light
• Cruiser
• Exeter
• Ajax
• Royal
• Navy

[rugbybem]

Fantastic. This is material I have never seen before. Thanks again.

[skoblinI]

No problem. More to come.

[tom6lillie5]

for i small island nation the english have got plenty of fight in them

[pilkomut]

My Grandad was a stoker on the Exeter. I'm sure he had the utmost respect for all sailors involved in this action, not just British but ALL involved. Some comments below are totally inappropriate!

[ricardiio943]

jajajajaja, no pueden festejar eso devería darles verguenza toda la flota detras de un solo barco.

[Factnotfictionpeople]

@jrobertsoneff No, it was The Yanks! We a re still their puppets, don't forget. :-)

[jrobertsoneff]

@Factnotfictionpeople It wasn't europe that stopped us taking back the suez canal.

[swanningaround]

gunner. As I said - typical English. Pack of liars.

[BronzedKiwiANZAC]

Yes, the Achillies company were going to march through London while they were in their home port in AUCKLAND, NZ- idiot.

[Factnotfictionpeople]

Remember, we (The UK) were fighting for survival at the time. New Zealand and Australia (As part of the commonwealth) were sometimes left out directly but we, as a nation have NEVER forgotten the part played by ALL commonwealth and friendly nations in defeating the Axis !)

I think you'll find this clip was intended to give the British civilians something of which to be proud. I wasn't there and can comment no further - were you? :-)

[swanningaround]

Is it? The Kiwis are not mentioned once. The clip is "Honouring the men of "Exeter" and "Ajax". Churchill: The brilliant sea fight that Admiral Harwood conceived and you executed (directed only at the men of Exeter and Ajax)...

Harwood is English. So are the two ships.

[Factnotfictionpeople]

And Commodore Harwood was what nationality?

As for The KIng and Churchill forgetting the Kiwi's - I think you'll find that statement a bit inaccurate. :-)