Numb. 37989 2759

SUPPLEMENT

TO

The London Gazzette

OF TUESDAY, the 17th of JUNE, 1947

Registered as a newspaper

THURSDAY, 19 JUNE, 1947

THE RIVER PLATE BATTLE

The following Despatch was submitted to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty on the 30th December, 1939, by Rear Admiral H. H. Harwood, K.C.B., O.B.E., Rear Admiral Commanding South American Division:—

H.M.S. AJAX,

30th December, 1939.

I have the honour to submit the following report of the action between H.M. Ships AJAX* (Captain C. H. L. Woodhouse, Royal Navy), ACHILLES ** (Captain W. E. Parry, Royal Navy) and EXETER (Captain F. S. Bell, Royal Navy), under my orders, and the German Armoured Ship ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE on Wednesday, 13th December, 1939, and the sequence of events leading to her self destruction on Sunday, 17th December, 1939.

All times throughout this report are in the time of Zone plus 2, except where otherwise stated.

Notes

* Wearing the Broad Pendant of the Commodore Commanding the South American Division.

** Of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy.

DESPATCH

 PART I. PRELIMINARY DISPOSITIONS

 PART II. THE ACTION

 PART III. REMARKS BY REAR ADMIRAL COMMANDING SOUTH AMERICA DIVISION

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Code No. 65-37989