Simviation Forums

Interesting news reports appearing that they are hoping to raise the German pocket battleship Graf Spee from the bottom of the River Plate in Uruguay... Can't find one particular site worth linking to, but it's interesting news none the less, and here's the BBC link...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3459611.stm

Charlie

i hope that they'll be succesful and after the spee is restored,they can lend it to me.i've got some unfinished business that needs being take care of.  ;D

I'm wondering what they intend doing with her if they're successful. It seems to me that she should go home if at all possible.

Maybe that would be seen as politically incorrect in the modern Germany.

you're completely right,hagar. they sure would make one hell of discussion about that topic,as usually.  ::)

but i want that ship back where it belongs,namely to germany.

Apparently it'll become a tourist attraction in Montevideo. I think it will be interesting to see the state its in when it is raised though... May be more effective as a memorial displayed as found (protected from the environment though)

Charlie

I heard about this, they interviewed one of the surviving crew members who still lives in Montevideo.
Personally I think it should be returned to Germany and become a museum (sort of like HMS Belfast).
Odd note from my history lessons that always stuck in my mind was that when the Captain (his name eludes me) shot himself, he was wrapped in the Imperial German Navy flag not the Swastika. Perculiar little thing

Ozzy

Odd note from my history lessons that always stuck in my mind was that when the Captain (his name eludes me) shot himself, he was wrapped in the Imperial German Navy flag not the Swastika. Perculiar little thing

Ozzy

I always saw Captain Langsdorff as a decent & honourable man. A loyal officer of the old school who followed the traditions of the Imperial Navy by shooting himself when he failed, but only after looking after the welfare of his crew. This is how he was portrayed in the film "Battle of the River Plate". I don't know if this was correct but have no reason to believe otherwise. If it's true, he was a fine example to anyone, whether German or not. IMHO

PS. http://www.grafspee.com/thecaptain.html

Odd note from my history lessons that always stuck in my mind was that when the Captain (his name eludes me) shot himself, he was wrapped in the Imperial German Navy flag not the Swastika. Perculiar little thing  

Apparently he also gave a normal military salute at his crew's funeral, rather than the Nazi salute of the time...

Charlie

I believe that she should be left where she is. During the battle of the river Plate men fought and died aboard her. Even though no one died in her sinking I think that she should be left alone as a war grave like every other ship sunk at that time.

I believe that she should be left where she is. During the battle of the river Plate men fought and died aboard her. Even though no one died in her sinking I think that she should be left alone as a war grave like every other ship sunk at that time.

I tend to agree Woody but unlike other war graves I believe the dead crew members were given proper military funerals ashore. I also believe that these were attended by the British Merchant Navy captains who had been held prisoner aboard Graf Spee as sign of their respect for an honourable foe.

I tend to agree Woody but unlike other war graves I believe the dead crew members were given proper military funerals ashore. I also believe that these were attended by the British Merchant Navy captains who had been held prisoner aboard Graf Spee as sign of their respect for an honourable foe.

Maybe so, but the survivors of the Graf Spee want it to be left alone. She sank and thats that. If the people who fought on board her want her to remain where she lies then thats enough for me.

Maybe so, but the survivors of the Graf Spee want it to be left alone. She sank and thats that. If the people who fought on board her want her to remain where she lies then thats enough for me.

Me too.

The other side of the coin is that if raised, it could be turned into a neo-nazi memorial....

The other side of the coin is that if raised, it could be turned into a neo-nazi memorial....

This is always possible of course but the same could be said for many things. It's been mentioned in this thread that the ship was run in the traditions of the Imperial German Navy & if anything it should be a memorial to that.

I've come to the conclusion she would be better left where she is. However, I think this is unlikely. Even if the current plan comes to nothing, someone will try to raise her now the idea has been mooted.

i don't think that this may happen. otherwise,there would be thousands of neo-nazis lurking around in front of all sorts of german WW2-arms in the museums.