River Plate 1939

The sinking of the Graf Spee

River Plate 1939 cover

River Plate 1939

The sinking of the Graf Spee

Description

Fully illustrated throughout, this engaging study of the first major naval action of World War II appeals to both military and naval historians alike.

Days before the outbreak of World War II a handful of German commerce raiders put out to sea to prey on Allied merchantmen. Amongst them was the Panzerschiff ('armoured ship') Graf Spee, a formidable warship that boasted the firepower of a battleship but the size, speed and range of a cruiser.

When World War II commenced, under the command of Captain Langsdorff the Graf Spee began a hunting spree across the South Atlantic and the Indian Ocean that eventual took her to the River Plate in search of her next victim – an Allied convoy. Instead she found three Royal Navy cruisers under the command of Commodore Harwood, eager to put an end to the 'pocket battleship' that had been terrorizing Allied merchant ships.

Featuring full colour artwork, archive photographs and meticulous research, this comprehensive volume explores the thrilling story behind the Battle of the River Plate, an engagement that unquestionably demonstrated the effectiveness of British seapower and diplomacy on an international stage.

Table of Contents

Origins of the Campaign
Opposing Commanders
Opposing Fleets
Opposing Plans
Campaign
Battle
Action
Aftermath
Conclusion
Vessels today

Chronology
Bibliography

Product details

Published 25 Aug 2016
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472817969
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 65 b/w; 17 col
Series Campaign
Short code CAM 171
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Angus Konstam

Angus Konstam is a Fellow of the Royal Historical…

Illustrator

Tony Bryan

Resources

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