Graf Spee Battleship

The Admiral Graf Spee battleship was a one of three German pocket battleships used by the Kriegsmarine during World War II. Since it was smaller and more compact than those employed by the Allied nations, it was often referred to as a 'pocket battleship', with 'battlecruiser' being also another designation for this particular type of warship. It had been launched on June 30, 1934, and it had been commissioned for service on January 6, 1936.

Technical Characteristics

Belonging to the Deutschland Class of pocket battleships (Panzerschiffe in German), the Admiral Graf Spee had a 10,000-ton displacement, with an overall length of 186 m, and a beam of 20.5 m. It had a vertical stem type bow. When it was launched in 1934, it was the first German warship to be equipped with a search radar: a FuMO-22, which was fitted to the foremast. This radar used a mattress-type antenna. Its power plant consisted of eight MAN diesel engines, driving two propellers, generating 54,000 horse power and 48 km/h speed.

Armament

Despite its compact size, the Graf Spee bristled with different kinds of weapons. It was equipped with six 280-mm-caliber naval guns, which were set up in two triple turrets, one fore and one aft. It was also armed with eight 150mm and three 88mm guns. It was also fitted with eight torpedo tubes mounted aft.

Service History

The Graf Spee was the best known German pocket battleship. However, it had the shortest career as it was scuttled after suffering damage by British warships at the beginning of the war. As soon as it had been commissioned, it was deployed five times off the coast of Spain during the Spanish Civil War, even though she saw no combat action during this armed conflict. It September 1939, it was assigned to raid freight ships in the Atlantic Ocean, sinking nine Allied ships. On December 13, 1939, it fought in the Battle of the River Plate, off the coasts of Argentina and Uruguay, against three British cruisers. As it sustained damage and was at disadvantage, her captain, Hans Langsdorff, asked the Uruguayan authorities to moor at their port. Since he was allowed to stay there only three days, Langsdorff ordered his men to scuttle it.

Specifications

Type: Panzerschiff (literally "armored ship") in German; pocket battleship in English.

Length: 186 m

Beam: 20.5 m

Displacement: 10,000 tons

Draft: 5.77 m

Armor: 80-mm-thick armored belt along the sides of hull.

Speed: 26 knots

Range: 17,500 nautical miles

Below, the Admiral Graf Spee anchored at a German port in early 1936, before her departure for Spain.

The Graf Spee sailing in the South Atlantic Ocean in October 1939.