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The Graf Spee
In the Battle of the River Plate, one of Germany's fabled pocket battleships (Westentaschen - Schlachtschiffe)
faced violent action for the first time. Germany built these armored ships
(panzerschiffe) to add strength and prestige to the fleet that was badly depleted after
World War I. Conceived in 1928, the new warships were designed according to weight
restrictions (10,000 tons) imposed by the 1919 Versailles Treaty. Carrying massive
11-inch guns and bearing high, dominant control towers they resembled small
battleships. The brilliantly engineered warships, with prototype diesel engines and
electrically welded hulls, remained an enigma to potential enemies. Reputed to be
faster than a battleship and more powerful than a cruiser they caused some alarm in
international naval circles. Admiral Graf Spee, commissioned in 1936, was the most
modern of these ships.
Admiral Graf Spee
Dubbed pocket battleships, Deutschland, Admiral Scheer and
Admiral Graf Spee
held the premier position in the German fleet in the thirties. They presented a
powerful face to the world's navies. But, although the ships exceeded the weight
restriction of Versailles they lacked compatible armored protection for their class.
Their 3 1/2-inch (80mm) armored side-belt and skimpy decks belied any claim to
battleship status. This was a well kept secret until the Battle of the River Plate
when Graf Spee fell short in the clinch.
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