German Heavy Cruiser Graf Admiral Spee
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.
- Launch
- Photos of Admiral Graf Spee
- Detail Photos
- Battle of the River Plate
- In Montevideo
- Scuttling and Wreck
- Scale Models of the Admiral Graf Spee
Launch
Admiral Graf Spee Being Launched June 30, 1934 
Admiral Graf Spee Being Launched June 30, 1934 
Admiral Graf Spee Being Launched June 30, 1934 
Admiral 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 1937 
Admiral Graf Spee seen in late 1936 or early 1937 
Admiral Graf Spee seen in late 1936 or early 1937 
May 1937 Admiral Graf Spee at the Spithead Naval Review representing Germany at the coronation 
May 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 coronation 
July 1938 Admiral Graf Spee in a Norwegian Fjord. 
1938 Admiral Graf Spee in the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal 
October 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 Atlantic 
April 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 Atlantic 
April 1939 Admiral Graf Spee in the English Channel en route to the Atlantic for a naval exercise 
April 1939 Admiral Graf Spee with Deutschland following during a naval exercise in the Atlantic 
Late May 1939 Admiral Graf Spee in Hamburg, Germany welcoming troops of the Condor Legion home from Spain 
August 22, 1938 Admiral Graf Spee at Kiel for the launching of the Prinz Eugen 
Admiral Graf Spee in the English Channel in August 1939 
November 27, 1939 A set of false guns to disguise the true identity of the Admiral Graf Spee are added above the forward turret
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 superstructure 
Admiral Graf Spee’s Bridge 
Admiral Graf Spee’s Bridge 
Graf Spee’s Forward Triple 11″ Guns 
1939 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 gun 
Number Four 15cm/55 gun mount second gun in the forward port side group photographed on board her wreck on 2 February 1940 
One 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 Spee 
December 13, 1939 Splinters from shells fired by HMNZS Achilles hitting the water around the Admiral Graf 2 
December 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 seen 
December 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 Plate 
December 14, 1939 An honour guard stands by the coffins of the men killed in the Battle of the River Plate 
December 14, 1939 Admiral Graf Spee at Montevideo 
December 14, 1939 Admiral Graf Spee at Montevideo 
December 14, 1939 Admiral Graf Spee at Montevideo 
December 14, 1939 Admiral Graf Spee at Montevideo 
December 14, 1939 Admiral Graf Spee at Montevideo 
December 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 Montevideo 
December 17, 1939 The Admiral Graf Spee exploding off Montevideo 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
December 17, 1939 The burning wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
The wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
The wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
The wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
The wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
The wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
The wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee 
The wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee
