As Members know, we have been doing a lot of research into this little known part of World War II. Almost all of this research has been done by S.E.I.G. Agent Be579 and it asks more questions than it answers. It is a proven fact that young Leutnant Wilhelm Canaris plotted a great number of hidden coves and harbors while on board a German cruiser in World War I with special emphasis on the southern oceans and landmasses. An old German battleship retraced this route in 1938, presumably to reconfirm that these old hiding places were still useable and to update charts and specifications.

Here is the translation of some documents, transcriptions of radio messages or FT (funk telegraph), located by Be 579:

Montevideo 15 Dec. 1939 19.57 hours
Rec’d 16 Dec. 1939 7:45 a.m.
No. 181 from 15 Dec.
SECRET

For High Command Navy

The afternoon of the 14th the following were here by plane: Mitnehm L B E (code name); Press Attaché, Naval Repair Advisor Krankenhagen – the latter as advisor for repairs.

Main damage Graf Spee some outside holes through which water would come in during sea going. Further damage to kitchen, bakery so that it is not possible to go to sea and make use of these. Compass and optics damaged. Ammunition almost gone. Two thirds of the heavy anti-aircraft artillery out of action.

Lean engineer and naval repair advisor Krankenhagen agree that estimated time to make sea worthy with materials here at least 14 days. Yesterday the required extension was applied for. The decision has not been made.

In front of Montevideo several British warships, among them (determined from land) Cumberland from on board made out through AO (code name) and this morning, Renown.

Officials very obliging at the burial of those fallen and the care of the evacuated wounded. Strong political pressure from England and France.

(coded) auf I S K L 2305/39 g K vom 15 Dezember

The key of the Graf Spee receiver is now clear.

EDITOR NOTE – it is at this time that the pocket battleship GRAF SPEE is trying to gain two weeks time to make necessary repairs.

Telegram – SECRET
Montevideo 16 Dec. 1939 1:06 a.m.
Received 16 Dec. 1939 7:45 a.m.

No. 183 from 15 Dec.

1) Military situation around Montevideo Besides heavy cruiser are Ark Royal and Renown – at night, a tight blockade. Escape into open sea and breakthrough to home is hopeless.

2) Planned run into neutral port Should we attempt to fight our way to Buenos Aires using all our remaining ammunition?

3) In the case that breakout would lean to certain destruction of Spee without possibility of damage to the enemy, Request decision if sinking in spite of inadequate water depth? La Plata Mundung? Or internment?

4) Request decision through radio message.

(from) Commander Spee

When the three Royal Navy cruisers AJAX, ACHILLES and EXETER battled with GRAF SPEE in the South Atlantic, they did some damage to the German warship but they in turn were battered rather badly and if GRAF SPEE had come out to face them, the outcome might have favored the fast pocket battleship.

But thanks to some clever mis-information over the short wave radio, the British managed to convince the Commander of GRAF SPEE that there were more British heavies waiting for him outside the protection of Montevideo Harbor including HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS RENOWN – neither of which were within thousands of miles of the area – but the ruse worked and Langsdorff bought it.

There are also files indicating that GRAF SPEE, together with her supply ship ALTMARK, wanted to dash for one of the hidden coves known as U-Plätzes and hide out in the Tierra del Fuego – or as it is known in German, as Feuerland. OKM (Naval High Command) refused, probably because they did not want the British to follow these ships and stumble onto this chain of hiding places for warships, blockade breakers, submarines etc. so GRAF SPEE was destroyed by her own crew under orders from Langsdorff, because he thought there were more British heavies waiting for him outside Montevideo harbor than there really were.

Could GRAF SPEE have defeated the three battered Royal Navy cruisers? We will never know.

More on Feuerland and other secret operations soon…..