"The Battle of the River Plate was between the ""Ajax"", the ""Achilles"", the ""Exeter"" and which other ship?"
Battle of the River Plate off the estuary of the River Plate close to the coast of Uruguay in South America. In the ensuing battle, "Exeter" was severely damaged and forced to retire; "Ajax" and "Achilles" suffered moderate damage. The damage to "Admiral Graf Spee", although not extensive, was critical; her fuel system was crippled. "Ajax" and "Achilles" shadowed the German ship until she entered the port of Montevideo, the capital city of neutral Uruguay, to effect urgent repairs. After "Graf Spee"'s captain Hans Langsdorff was told that his stay could not be extended beyond 72 hours, he scuttled his damaged ship rather than face
Battle of the River Plate Fascist salute. The picture is credited to Diego Lascano (Gilby Collection). The battle is also significant as it was the first time the current Flag of New Zealand was flown in battle, from HMS "Achilles". Four mountain peaks in the Two Thumb Range region of the South Island of New Zealand are named to mark the battle. These are Achilles (2,544m), Exeter (2,327m), Ajax (2,319m) and Graf Spee (2,267m). Battle of the River Plate The Battle of the River Plate was the first naval battle in the Second World War and the first one of the Battle of the Atlantic