FATE OF GRAF SPEE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 March 1940, Page 5

FATE OF GRAF SPEE

MEN REFUSER TO FIGHT VAIN APPEALS BY CAPTAIN & OFFICERS. DECISION TO SCUTTLE SHIP FOLLOWS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, March 26. The Admiralty reveals that the refusal of the crew of the Admiral Graf Spec io take ont Ihe ship to meet the waiting British warships off the River Plate led to the decision 1o scuttle the vessel.

The officers appealed to the crew eight times and finally Captain Langsdorf himself appealed, but without avail. The officers later protested against the decision to scuttle the ship and called for volunteers to fight, but only 60 men stepped out. The Admiralty’s statement is based on a most reliable report dealing with events leading up to the scuttling of the Graf Spec. The report states that repairs to the Graf Spee were pushed on at top speed from the morning of December 14. The crew suddenly refused to go to sea on December 16. The officers harangued the men throughout the day at numerous musters when ratings broke their ranks verging on mutiny.

Captain Langsdorf went ashore at 8 p.m. and reported to the German Minister, who advised Herr Hitler. Captain Langsdorf returned at midnight, after which the removal of gear and food began in contrast to the previous hurried provisioning. Observers in merchantmen moored near the Graf Spee witnessed the scenes on the decks throughout the day on December 16. It is stated that the Uruguayan officials were so confident that the Graf Spee would make a break during the night that they prohibited all Allied ships leaving port.