The Battle of the River Plate in December 1939 was the Allies’ first naval victory of the Second World War. The involvement of the cruiser HMS Achilles, more than half of whose crew were New Zealanders, was greeted with jubilation in New Zealand.
Battle Of The River Plate
Events In History
13 December 1939
When the cruiser HMS Achilles opened fire on the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee in the South Atlantic, it became the first New Zealand unit to strike a blow at the enemy in the Second World War.
Articles
Battle of the River Plate
When HMS Achilles opened fire on the German 'pocket battleship' Admiral Graf Spee on 13 December 1939, it became the first New Zealand unit to engage the enemy in the Second World War. More than 80 years later, the Battle of the River Plate still holds a special place in this country’s naval history. Read the full article
Page 1 - Battle of the River Plate
When HMS Achilles opened fire on the German 'pocket battleship' Admiral Graf Spee on 13 December 1939, it became the first New Zealand unit to engage the enemy in the Second World
Page 2 - New Zealand's naval forces
New Zealand’s naval forces and strategy before the outbreak of the Second World
Page 3 - The outbreak of war
The outbreak of the Second World War and New Zealand naval involvement in the Battle of the
Page 4 - Into the South Atlantic
HMS Achilles joins the Royal Navy's South America Division patrolling the South Atlantic in search of German
Page 5 - The battle
The British cruisers Achilles, Ajax and Exeter engage the German ‘pocket battleship’ Admiral Graf
Page 6 - After the battle
The aftermath of the battle and the return of HMS Achilles to New
Page 7 - Further information
Website links and books related to the Battle of the River
Main image: River Plate battle diagrams book
Flip book showing battle diagrams from the Battle of the River Plate
