German Pocket Battleship ''Graf Spee''

By Crusader1307

The German Kriegamarine “Pocket Battleship” “Graf Spee” was of The “Deutschland” Class of “Armored Ships”. Historians often debate that “Graf Spee” and her “Sister” Ships (2) – were “Heavy Cruisers”. Germany so classified her as a “mini” Battleship. The “Graf Spee” was launched in 1934 and deployed to Patrol The Coast of Spain during The Spanish Civil War. She did not engage in combat. At the start of hostilities with England, She racked up an impressive 10,000-tons of sunk Merchant and Military Shipping (1939). It was in 1939, that “Graf Spee” engaged (3) British Warships at The Battle of The River Plate (South Atlantic, off South America). Inflicting heavy damage to The British, “Graf Spee” also was damaged (but still effective). He Captain feared eventual capture and scuttled her so she would not be captured. The “Spee” was 16,000-Tons displaced. She was 610-feet long with a Beam of 25-feet. Her Armor Plating ranged from 1 to 5-inches throughout. “Graf Spee” crewed 600. Her propulsion was (8) Diesel Engines with (2) Turbines. She could achieve 32-mph in open Sea.“Graf Spee” armament included (6) Triple 11-Inch Pain Guns, (8) 5.9-Inch Guns (Turret Mounted) and (8) 21-Inch Torpedoes.