Comments by "doveton sturdee" (@dovetonsturdee7033) on "KMS Graf Spee - Guide 075 (Extended)" video.

@samstewart4807 The wreck didn't roll over. The sea at that point is simply not deep enough. Over the years, the wreck gradually settled, although some sections had been removed by salvors anyway. I doubt anyone in the area was sufficiently interested to take much notice.
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@jaybee9269 True. Some of the armour plate was removed for this purpose from HMS Vanguard, which exploded in Scapa Flow in 1917.
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@CHIL2903 Not quite the same thing, but I believe that the Jodrell Bank telescope is powered by a turret motor from an 'R' class battleship. I would be interested to receive confirmation, however.
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Diesel fuel comes in wide variety of grades. From very light (kerosine) to very heavy. In the 1930s and 1940s most commercial diesel fuel was heavy and would need to be pre-heated and prepared, in this case being stored in Graf Spee's day tanks. Apparently, at the time her purification (and desalination) plants were destroyed, Graf Spee only had about 12 hours 'prepared' fuel. Additionally, a particular problem with diesel fuel is that it will hold water in suspension and water can precipitate into the fuel if its not properly stored. Even if it is properly stored water in the fuel can be a problem. It clogs filters and can disrupt the spray pattern during injection. Given the marine environment, it's likely that the purity of the fuel had deteriorated while stored aboard the Altmark.
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The three Deutchlands were either already launched or at least half built before Hitler came to power in January, 1933. He inherited them, in effect.
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@scabbycatcat4202 The nearest in the RN is 10,000 miles, by the QE class carriers. I don't know enough about the US Navy. I think the Iowas had 15,000 miles or so, but don't expect one at sea any time soon!
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Probably the danger that Uruguay might later enter the war on the Allied side.
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Yes, it is correct. However, a US New Orleans class heavy cruiser had a range of 14,000 miles, and a British County class 12,000 miles. Both the British & US ships had access to overseas bases, which were not available to German warships of the time, at least not in wartime.
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One of Exeter's shells destroyed Graf Spee's fuel processing system, leaving her with less than 24 hours useable fuel. She had no means of repairing the problem without access to friendly port facilities, and nothing of the kind was within reach. Spee had also already used up two thirds of her 11 inch ammunition in the first engagement, so wouldn't have been able to put up much resistance had she sailed in any case. Even if her armour could cope with 6 inch shellfire, Cumberland's 8 inch would have been too much for her. After scuttling, she settled on an even keel in shallow water, but the muddy bottom caused her to settle & gradually subside.
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@samstewart4807 Sorry, but this information has been widely known for many years, I certainly knew all about the problems as far back as my university days, although my particular field of expertise was and is Operation Dynamo & Operation Sealion. Specialist professional publications on naval history have covered most aspects of the battle in full detail for many years. The critical factor was the destruction of the oil purification plant, without which diesel could not be processed for her engines. The ship, by the way, was partially broken up in 1942-3, but parts are still visible as the water depth is only 36 feet. Oddly enough, salvage rights were purchased by the British, as they wished to inspect Spee's gunnery directors. In short, no one is being lied to, and no one ever was, except of course the command staff of the Spee herself, who were fooled into believing that Ark Royal and Renown were waiting for her, just over the horizon, when in fact they were nowhere near. Given the problems with Spee's fuel system, and her shortage of ammunition, I suspect that this didn't affect the German decision to scuttle in any case.
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@samstewart4807 The information, these days at least, is easily found on the internet. I have no idea, and less interest, about what bits are scrap are still there, and which were taken off many years ago. Lied to about what, for heaven's sake? Spee encountered the weakest of the allied hunting groups, and was handled so indecisively by Langsdorff that she sustained much greater damage than she needed to accept. After that, she was scuttled. What exactly is there to lie about?
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@samstewart4807 Which books have you been reading? Eric Grove makes clear in his account of the battle the importance of the hit which disabled the fuel purification system, as well as the hit which caused a large hole in Spee's bows, rendering her unfit for a long ocean voyage and making her incapable of full speed. Even before the battle, the distance she had covered since August had reduced her maximum speed to 24 knots, from the 28 she had achieved on her trials. He also refers to the numerous tactical errors made by Langsdorff. Similarly, Correlli Barnett is sharply critical of the manner in which Spee shifted target with foolish regularity. even subsequent reports from Spee's officers were critical of the tactics he employed, even going so far as to claim that the strain of months at sea had weakened his will to fight. Barnett sums up the two opposing commanders as follows :- 'Behind Harwood stood four centuries of victory in close quarters attack; behind Langsdorff a naval tradition barely 40 years old and, with brief & rare exceptions, one of raiding & evading and ultimately of defeat.' The first mistake, of course, was to engage in the first place. Spee spotted Harwood's squadron before she was herself spotted, and Langsdorff's orders from his Admiralty were to avoid action wherever possible. I find it odd that you claim me to be the only person you have encountered who is critical of Langsdorff's tactics. I, on the other hand, have yet to find anyone with any knowledge who is NOT critical of him. The failure not to finish off the battered Exeter (which would have left Harwood with the problem of what to do about her survivors), and the insistence of shifting the target for Spee's main guns with annoying frequency both demonstrate a lack of judgement, resulting in the fact that, having fired off all but 40 minutes of Spee's AP ammunition, she had not actually managed to sink anything. As to how much is left of the wreck, I really don't care, but I have read the various articles about it placed on the internet by a number of divers in recent years. May I ask why what is still there interests you so much? As to communications between Langsdorff and Berlin, try 'The Drama of the Graf Spee and the Battle of the River Plate: a Documentary Anthology.' Basically, Langsdorff explained his problems and his belief that his ship was not fit for sea, and was told by Hitler & Raeder that he should either set forth and fight heroically to the end, or scuttle his ship. He was told, however, that internment was definitely not an option. The final decision was left to him, although post-war reports from survivors of the Berlin Admiralty rather suggest that Hitler expected to be told of the gallant manner in which Langsdorff had fought to the last against overwhelming odds.
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