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Captain Hans Langsdorff of the Admiral Graf Spee
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Captain Hans Langsdorff of the Admiral Graf Spee
Dressed in white, Captain Hans Wilhelm Langsdorff (1894 - 1939), German captain of the Admiral Graf Spee pocket-battleship photographed in Montevideo, Uruguay, shortly before he scuttled the ship after it had been damaged in the Battle of the River Plate by British cruisers HMS Exeter, Ajax and Achilles. He committed suicide on 19th December 1939. Date: December 1939
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Media ID 7218657
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10546776
Admiral Graf Hans Spee Wilhelm Ww 2 Ww Ii December
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This striking photograph captures the enigmatic figure of Captain Hans Wilhelm Langsdorff (1894-1939), the German commander of the Admiral Graf Spee pocket-battleship, in the final days before his historic defeat in the Battle of the River Plate during World War II. Dressed immaculately in his pristine white uniform, Langsdorff is seen here in Montevideo, Uruguay, where he had taken refuge after his ship was damaged in a fierce engagement with British cruisers HMS Exeter, Ajax, and Achilles on December 13, 1939. The Battle of the River Plate was the first major naval battle of the Second World War and marked a significant victory for the Allied forces. Faced with the prospect of further damage or capture, Langsdorff made the fateful decision to scuttle the Admiral Graf Spee in the shallow waters of the River Plate on December 17, 1939. The sinking of the ship and the subsequent suicide of its commander became a symbol of German military pride and resistance in the face of overwhelming odds. Langsdorff's body was later recovered from the wreckage, and he was buried with full military honors in Germany. This photograph offers a poignant reminder of a pivotal moment in world history, as well as a glimpse into the personal story of a complex and enigmatic military leader. The image is a powerful testament to the human drama that unfolded during the early days of the Second World War, and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices and courage that were required on all sides during this global conflict.
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