The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1939. AN INGLORIOUS END

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20124, 19 December 1939, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1939. AN INGLORIOUS END

Seldom in history has there been a more thrilling naval epic than last week’s battle off the South American coast and never has there been such an anti-climax as the ignominious end of the Graf von Spee, the pride of the

German navy. In the battle itself, the three comparatively small British naval units covered themselves with glory, and at considerable cost. Even while rejoicing in their wonderful ex-

ploit, however, .it was possible to pay a tribute to the running fight put up by their larger adversary whose favourable odds had been at least partially reduced by the weight of numbers. It is one of the few redeeming features of war that the people of most countries can be generous to a beaten foe and appreciate its gal-

lantry. It was this characteristic that earned a measure of sympathy for the Graf von Spee in her plight. Seriously damaged by British shells, she had been forced to bolt like a rat into a hole, taking refuge in a neutral port. And outside the hole the terriers of the British Navy were patiently waiting. Naturally, there was a desire to

see the Graf von Spee finally beaten, yet, paradoxical though it might seem, some trait in human nature—in the British race at least—would have de- | sired that the odds should have been a ! little more even. Certainly it can be j said that had the Graf von Spee [ought her way to freedom she would have earned the unqualified admiration even of her enemies.

It was generally assumed that the Graf von Spee had only two alternaremain in Montevideo and be interned or else to put to sea and make the best fight that was possible. Had she adopted the former course no one could have blamed her, for hers was a position in which discretion was

essentially the better part of valour. Naval tradition being what it is, however, there was reason to expect that she would choose the harder course and, even though escape was impossible, engage the enemy, inflict as much damage as possible and then go down with guns barking and flags flying. Had she done this—and it is impossible to believe that a British ship similary situated would .have done otherwise, for this was the fate of the Rawalpindi—the world would have acclaimed her bravery and the Graf von Spec would have gone down in history as n name to be honoured. As il is, the first Admiral Graf von Spec must surely turn in his grave at

the knowledge that a ship that bore his proud name should have met such an inglorious end. For, whatever excuses might be offered, whatever allowances might be made, it is impossible 1o escape the conclusion that

the Graf von Spec chose the coward’s way out of her dilemma. And, incidentally, the fate of this ship seems to provide a striking illustration of the contrast between the old German spirit and the new.

After conflicting oflicial reports from Berlin —the German radio bade farewell to the Graf von Spee in two sen-

fences and the German newspapers in eight lines —it was finally announced that the Graf von Spee had been scuttled under the orders of Herr Hitler himself. Such an order, perhaps, is typical of the man who to-day rules a once proud race, for it will not be forgotten that the only time that Hitler was himself under fire he deserted his comrades and took to his heels. The fate of the Graf von Spee and the German explanation, incidentally, provide proof, as it was predicted they would do, of the unreliability of official German information. When the Graf von Spee fled to Montevideo reports that she had been seriously damaged were indignantly denied from Berlin. It was then insisted that she had put in for food and fuel, but when she was finally compelled to leave the neutral shelter—and the Uruguayan Government is to be commended for insisting on the observance of international law—protests were lodged that she was not given sufficient time in which to effect repairs that were necessary in order to make the ship seaworthy. How badly she was damaged can remain a matter of conjecture, for the allimportant thing is that she was so badly outclassed in fair fight that she had to run for shelter and then, rather than face another battle, scuttled herself.

The defeat of the Graf von Spee after all the extravagant claims that had been made on her behalf has inevitably been a serious blow to German pride and prestige, but the loss occasioned by defeat in battle is trifling compared with the humiliation which must be felt, particularly in the German navy, at the manner in which the pride of the fleet met its final fate. There need be no dishonour in defeat but there can be no honour in refusing to face it. The defeat and loss of the Graf von Spee has been followed by a further heavy German naval loss. The submarine which made its way into the Elbe and sank a German cruiser has performed a feat which rivals that of the U-boat which, under similar circumstances, sank the Royal Oak. On top of these major successes, the British navy last week damaged another German cruiser and sank at least one submarine, the result in the aggregate being that Germany, in proportion, suffered heavier naval losses in one week than Britain has sustained during the whole period of the war. There is good reason for congratulation that the British Navy has thus proved its supremacy and its control of the seas and the only really regrettable feature is that its opponent has proved less worthy of the traditions that have been handed down to it.