Battle of the Falkland Islands - Von Spee's Last Stand

After Coronel, one last roll of the dice awaiting von Spee, but a mixture of bad luck and politics had sent of the RN's best Admiral's to opposed him...
Sources:
www.amazon.co.uk/Battles-Coronel-Falklands-1914/dp/1783462795/
www.naval-histo...
www.amazon.co.uk/Coronel-Falkland-Barrie-Pitt/dp/179069650X
www.amazon.co.uk/Great-War-Sea-Naval-History/dp/1107036909
www.amazon.co.uk/Great-War-Sea-Naval-1914-1919/dp/184832183X
www.amazon.co.uk/Fighting-Great-War-Sea-Technology-ebook/dp/B00SGC4WYY
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[@Drachinifel]

Pinned post for Q&A :)

[@Cbabilon675]

In your opinion, what was Admiral Von Spee best option?

[@marcusfranconium3392]

Here is one question ,what if due to some unforseen circomstances , the netherlands join the new german state in 1860s How would the german navy have unfolded.

[@thehandoftheking3314]

I was reading about the Royal Navy development in the 20th century till the 50s. There were several conclusions made by the writers 1. The Royal Navy was wrong not to scrap or sell the existing carriers and replace them with Malta class. 2. The Royal Navy was wasteful to build the R class. The theory being that they were to win an arms race already won. They should have built more Queen Elizabeth's instead. 3. The pre ww2 modernisation program was badly organised. 4. The King George Vths were a waste of resources and those should have been delayed to modernise existing ships. Do you agree, disagree with any of these? Please don't throw binoculars at me...

[@philipprucz3099]

The german Amored Cruisers seemed to have lastes pretty long against superior and much more modern Battlecruisers, who expended a lot of their main ammo stock to sink the German cruisers. What was the reason for this? Quality of British shells? Poor Gunnery? Pretty sturdy German ships? A combination of things? And what was the british reaction to the german amored cruisers lasting so long and the need to expend such a wast amount of amunition?

[@theodoresmith5272]

Your battle series are the best. How about one with the Korean admiral that smoked the Japanese in battle after battle?

[@SynchroScore]

There is a story I've read that, after the battle, the Governor of the Falklands hosted the British captains to a dinner, and proposed a toast, declaring "Damnation to the German Navy!" The captains all remained seated and silent. Then a senior officer (possibly Sturdee) proposed another toast, "We drink to the memory of brave sailors who had gone to the bottom" and the other captains joined him.

[@mdiciaccio87]

Awwwwwkwaaaaard!

[@SynchroScore]

@@mdiciaccio87 Similarly, after the Battle of the North Cape, Admiral Fraser sent out a message that went like "If any of you finds yourself faced with overwhelming odds, I hope that you conduct yourself as well as the _Scharnhorst_ did today."

[@kennethdeanmiller7324]

Although being relieved to have fought a battle & won is most understandable. It is never a good thing to celebrate the misfortune of your enemies, especially considering that misfortune could just as easily have been your own. And that misfortune can easily come visit you for celebrating such things!!! Also, war is never a good thing. In war all types of people die, good & evil, honorable & maybe not so honorable. But when faced with kill or be killed, it's not like you can get to know that person before you are faced with having to kill them.

[@opfor_8876]

Because it's Royal Navy, not Primate Navy

[@gerarddelmonte8776]

There is a fact that after Coronel, von Spee was toasted with a similar toast versus the English. He said much the same thing.

[@ladyofolyas]

That French ship coming upon an active naval engagement and just saying "nope" had me crying.

[@purplefood1]

Not just that but a sail powered vessel coming across a fight between at least two modern steam powered battlecruisers and a pair of modern armoured cruisers both from countries with a reasonably close relationship with no context whatsoever, it must have seemed like the world was ending.

[@jacobwatts202]

Wonder if they thought it was the flying dutchman

[@myview5840]

Just remembered they left the baguette oven on back home

[@KennyDodge-of2sp]

Whew,you know they were,"run Forrest,run"!!!

[@stacyhamilton2619]

​@@purplefood1 At least a pair?!

[@Gothmog2266]

What a devastating moment it must have been when the German squadron saw the tripod masts rising from the harbor . . . they had traveled half way around the world, smashed a comparable British force, the first British first naval defeat in over a century, and now in that one instant, Spee knew their fate was sealed.

[@ericamborsky3230]

Still better than facing down Kongo and Hiei

[@austinlange7210]

Not even halfway through and it’s already sounding like “Bismarck: The Prequel”. German admiral kicks hornet’s nest, Royal Navy responds with “ok, send _all_ the ships”.

[@tokul76]

Prequel to other events too. Somebody disturbs hornets nest in South Atlantic and Brits send 9k km range bomber on target 6.3k km away to deal with it.

[@gokbay3057]

River Plate too

[@HMSConqueror]

and the super duper uber mega german ships got a massive brazzers without hitting any RN unit.

[@stanrogers5613]

We have dispatched His Majesty's Ships Curmudgeonly, Irascible, Quite Cross, Apoplectic, and Right I've Had Enough Of This.

[@austinlange7210]

@@stanrogers5613 unfortunately the rest of the I-class - Irritable, Indignant, and Incensed - were on duty elsewhere

[@hmshood9212]

Here we have an example of Battlecruisers doing things within their mission profile. That being smashing up cruisers. The polar opposite of this is Jutland outside their mission profile engaging other capital ships with explosive results.

[@spirz4557]

Emphasis on "explosive".

[@mikereger1186]

Even then, it was more due to the imbecile Beatty’s squadron completely ignoring all ammunition handling safety procedures. Had they done the job properly, would this still even be a conversation?

[@Iain1957]

Agreed - also note that the presence of HMAS Australia in the Indian Ocean may Von Spee move into the Pacific away from the trade routes - which is exactly what a battle cruisers was supposed to do.

[@stuartdollar9912]

Agreed, but a pair of cruisers can do the same job just about as cheaply. Part of the reason the US Navy never completed a battlecruiser.

[@Cailus3542]

@@stuartdollar9912 The Alaska-class cruisers basically were battlecruisers in all but name, but yes, pretty much. After HMS Hood was built, the British adopted that philosophy as well (cruisers, cruisers, more cruisers, all the cruisers), although Hood was more like a fast battleship than an actual battlecruiser. A battlecruiser was still an invaluable weapon of war in WW1, mind you, so long as they were used properly. And honestly, it's just as well that the Americans converted the Lexingtons. They made far better fleet carriers than battlecruisers.

[@L.J.Kommer]

Imagine what the crew of that French merchant ship must've been thinking. Thousands of tonnes of steel are slugging it out around you and all you have to escape is some giant cloths tied to a pole.

[@Kiev_The_Great]

Can white sails double for white flags? I like to imagine the crew on the bridge of the respective warships receiving reports of a potential new combatant having a chuckle when it's identified as a sail boat.

[@Thirdbase9]

Captain: I hope the friendly side wins. First Officer: Which side is that? Captain: I don't know, so lets be elsewhere.

[@stanleyrogouski]

If the French ship left port in July they knew about the assassination of Franz Ferdinand (June 28).

[@Kiev_The_Great]

@@stanleyrogouski I guess their reaction then was, "Boy! That escalated quickly!"

[@L.J.Kommer]

@@stanleyrogouski "Gee, that's terrible, but there's no way that will cause a four year long global war that causes over twenty million deaths." What happened next was a four year long global war that caused over twenty million deaths.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

That is just such a funny image, of just pottering about on a boat to stumble on a major naval battle, during a war you didn't know existed

[@rashkavar]

Can you imagine how the poor sailors on that ship felt seeing that? They're in this archaic wooden hulk that pretty much goes where the wind tells it to go and they wind up sailing straight towards a battle like that....poor guys would've been scared out of their wits! There's also the issue of figuring out how to get around a battle like that - the wind would only give them noteworthy speed in a fairly narrow arc (generally not bad if there's a decent wind to work with, but much more limited than the steamers whose only wind issue was one of visibility).

[@colindunnigan8621]

@@rashkavar I believe a similar incident occurred during the battlecruiser action at Jutland, with a schooner sailing between the two squadrons.

[@christopherreed4723]

It's somewhat of a foreshadowing of some of the Russian villages the Germans captured during Operation Barbarossa. No resistance at all, just a bunch of Russian peasants in traditional clothing watching the German tanks. Then the elder timidly approaches a German officer and, through an interpreter, asks if the "Little Father" - the Tsar - was a war with Germany. Shock and denial upon being told that the Tsar and his entire family were dead, executed in Yekaterinburg more than twenty years before.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

@@christopherreed4723 did you make up that story, as I'm not sure how that is even possible

[@christopherreed4723]

@@Alex-cw3rz No. It's out of either Panzer Aces or Infantry Aces by Franz Kurowski, iirc. I have both, but it's been a while since I read them.

[@oteliogarcia1562]

What a lonely voyage that must have been for von Spee. He learns of the SMS Emden's fate, learns of the loss of Tsingtao, and after he deals the RN an embarassing defeat, realizes he's depleted his ammunition and that his squadron probably wouldn't last long out there. and then he finds himself in the same situation as Cradock, but just like his counterpart, bravely faces his doom.

[@tobiasGR3Y]

Castles of Steel was my first introduction to this battle; it formerly owned by my late USN-Serving Grandfather, but it really doesn't do justice to how hemmed in Graf Spee was. Bismarck stood a chance to escape until the torpedo hit, there was no escape for the East-Asia squadron. The water made sure of it when the ships were gone. 😞

[@papajohnloki]

I really liked that book also particularly the Jutland section on Drac's favorite Beatty

[@temerityxd8602]

I'm reading castles of steel right now, I just finished the Von Spee section and now I get a Drach video as well.

[@mikereger1186]

Excellent book.

[@danielscheurwater2466]

Finally!!!! I have waited since Coronel for this (just like the British).

[@budwyzer77]

It's crazy to realize that Von Spee would have saved more men by suicidally charging into the Falklands for a knife fight. It would have been much easier to rescue survivors so close to the shore.

[@Paciat]

Not when you realize that this nation elected Hitler who clearly said that casualties in future war wont matter, only the outcome will.

[@budwyzer77]

@@Paciat An extremely close-range fight would also have produced a better outcome for the Germans. They could have gotten close enough to penetrate the battlecruisers' and armored cruisers' armor and fire torpedoes at nearly immobile targets. Perhaps he could have even detached the Nurnberg to escape with the Dresden.

[@tenarmurk]

@@Paciat whats wrong about that statement ?

[@GM-fh5jp]

Von Spee had his chance for a dramatic victory but failed to rise to the occasion as would have been expected from Commanders Beatty or Nelson. He could have sailed his fleet within gun and torpedo range against a stationary row of ships scrambling to raise steam and get underway. Kent could have been dealt with as it patrolled the outer harbor and then...boom. Point blank gun and torpedo attack.

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

Yes. And no. Hindsight being a benefit, we must put ourselves in von Spee's shoes. He doesn't now if the narrow is mined. Wether the RN ships have already raised steam or not. He doesn't have an accurate picture of the squadron's composition. Further more, there's enemy fire raining down on him from God knows where. Yes, it's Canopus. Tossing shells like a drunken metal throws beer bottles at punks. But, he's not aware of that. For all he knows, it can be yet another battlecruiser. Why run the gauntlet in a confined space when you can use your expertise in open waters? Of course, we'll never know what was going through his head. Just some random thoughts put together. Cheers.

[@dylanjohnston5848]

Absolutely a heart felt story to tell about this battle. Seeing the British and German navies slugging it out and then the heart breaking recounts of sailors struggling for survival, I can say I've read about the battle and the previous encounter and destruction of the royal navy ships at Cornell, it's something of both bravery and valor that the Officers, sailors, and men fought to the bitter end for each others respected side. I say Drachinifel, please continue to share these accounts of these battles, because it adds emotions and that historical punch that is needed when telling these battles.

[@hisdadjames4876]

Agree, especially as in WW1 (unlike WW2) there was not much to choose between the values and morality of the two sides... ‘just’ two nations sacrificing millions of ordinary people’s lives on the altars of their respective imperial ambitions. Tragic.

[@jayadkisson2075]

The Robert Massie books Dreadnought and Castles of Steel are required reading, and describe -- among other things -- the close relationship between the Royal Navy and the Imperial Navy just a few years before the war, as well as an excellent account of this particular battle. The trial, tribulations, and ultimate revenge of the Canopus (at least in surprising the German fleet with a couple of salvos seemingly out of the blue) is an interesting story of its own.

[@michaelleslie2913]

When I read the Emden story a while back I thought then when on the China station the relationship between the two Navy's was remarkable and nothing like the daggers drawn attitude that we are sometimes led to believe.

[@cartmann94]

Graf Spee: At least my descendants will avenge me and show the true mettle of the German Navy. Captain Langsdorff: Umm, about that.

[@alanhughes6753]

Unfortunately, Admiral Spee's descendents (his sons) were serving on board his flagship at the Battle of the Falklands. They went down with their father.

[@stanleyrogouski]

To be fair, the Germans did blow the Invincible to kingdom come at Jutland.

[@tokul76]

Arthur Rodney Barry Sturdee: will see about that

[@stanleyrogouski]

Wouldn't the Battle of the River Platte be the negation of Fisher's tactics? Three small British cruisers hunt down a German battlecruiser (which was operating as a commerce raider).

[@TheSchultinator]

@@stanleyrogouski Arguably the Graf Spee wasn't truly a battle cruiser

[@rileyosteen6470]

Big fan of the use of models to demonstrate position and environmental effects on the battle!

[@tokencivilian8507]

Wow! Drach....that was an excellent presentation of the battle. Each stage could be followed easily. Well done.

[@chemiker494]

One of the most fascinating aspects of WW I was how medieval views of chivalry confronted with mass murder on an industrial scale. This episode really brings it to the point

[@lafeelabriel]

Just going to say that that final panel was a nice touch.

[@geoffhalstead1811]

Ditto from an ex-navy man of the ‘60s 👍👏

[@FoxtrotYouniform]

Yes, its 6am in the states and I have to get my kid ready for the school bus, but Drach has a new battle breakdown video

[@mflashhist500]

You really have to feel for Von Spee, his reaction at being told of the sighting of Battlecruiser Tripod Masts would have been priceless! A real naval oh crap moment ….

[@SoshoKozadokaGojiraChargedUp]

*"Oh fuck..."*

[@loveaction12]

Drachinfel, I wanted to thank you for all of these amazing and informative videos !! I have been a long time fan of the air and land wars of the 19th and 20th centuries, but only recently got into naval warfare, mostly by proximity as I live in Britain :D. Your videos are amazing source of information for a new starter like me, thank you again !

[@jamieknight326]

This is really informative and moving. I didn’t know about these battles. I am impressed by the way the victors acted but sad that so many people lost their lives in such a brutal way.

[@M.M.83-U]

Wonderfull! The combination of voice and models make it so clear, so easy to follow the action in detail. The final panel is a very appropriate reminder. Thanks for your great wotk.

[@DolFunDolhpinVtuber]

They found his Scharnhorst wreck not that long ago so I wonder if someone will do a wreck documentary about this sometime. I saw WWII wreck exploration a while back.

[@TheShrike616]

The gallantry in those post operation messages is chilling.

[@unbearifiedbear1885]

The manoeuvre aspect of naval warfare is absolutely fascinating! All war is "Timing and Position" but these retrospectives really drive home the idea that its usually the decisions you have _already made_ that determine outcomes Cheers ❤

[@johngreally9599]

Storytelling is . That was a beauty.

[@lancethompson6839]

I've read several accounts of this battle, but your explanation provides great background to Von Spee's decisions. As always, thanks for posting!

[@jonsimpson9640]

Absolutely tremendous! I have been awaiting this one for a long time, brilliant research and presentation as ever 👌🏻

[@Almond19912]

I just love the idea that mid battle, as they are getting pummeled, Von Spee is there bantering with the captain of Gneisenau "yeah it was probably a good shout to not go Falklands, looking a bit sticky this" Also can't get over just how out-matched each individual engagement was, the casualty numbers for each side are so insanely disproportionate. You have to give props to Sturdy there he executed a game plan to ensure each fight was just so one sided.

[@ethanjacques-n9p-catch21luck7]

you've outdone yourself I've been waiting on this video for over a year so because of that bravo I might be willing to be a Patreon supporter for you in about 6 months

[@andrewfanner2245]

Have you seen the black and white silent film made in the 1920s that tells the tale? Some wonderful footage of ships of the era standing in for their predecessors.

[@stevenfarrall3942]

I am very pleased you emphasised the human tragedy in this documentary. It's often overlooked.

[@AsbestosMuffins]

25:04 "EGHAD! ITS Napoleon! SHOOT IT!" "sir...we're allied with the french." "right right....for now........"

[@MrIvanhow]

Perfect timing with the WW1 coverage as I am just going through the week by week on The Great War channel :D

[@anselmdanker9519]

Thank you for the great presentation on the Falklands .Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@AsbestosMuffins]

goddang Brunel never did things half-assed, the SS Great Britain had a bit of a role in both world wars, refueling the british fleet in this occasion, and used for iron plate to repair the HMS Exeter in ww2

[@KyriosMirage]

I love seeing battlecruisers in their element! My favorite ship type. Spee demonstrated an amazing degree of command and control of his squadron for the period, very impressive!

[@jamesd3472]

One of your classic, extremely good videos. Thank you

[@kpdubbs7117]

So many of these stories of picked up survivors talking with their rescuers remind me of the Looney Tunes sheep dog and wolf cartoons. Bitter enemies fighting tooth and nail, but when the whistle blows to end their shift at work, they are just old friends doing their jobs.

[@baabbo]

If I remember correctly, in the book "Battlecruiser Invincible", it stated Sturdee invited the surviving German officers on the Invincible to dine with he and his staff after the battle. It has been over 30 years since I have read that book, but, I remember thinking "This is how it should be done".

[@notshapedforsportivetricks2912]

"Morning Ralph." "Morning Sam." And of course, the cartoon's ending.... "You don't look so good, Ralph. I'll cover for you tomorrow."

[@murrayscott9546]

Thanks for another excellent production

[@TheZombifiedGuy]

17:10 "This is getting out of hand. Now there are two of them!" - von Spee, probably

[@canadianmmaguy7511]

Now witness the power of a fully operational royal navy

[@TomSedgman]

Translation: Admiralty to Devonport - get a f***ing move on! I don’t care what you have to do, but get those bloody ships to the South Atlantic! You can hear the repressed fury in the formal language. Love it.

[@highlypolishedturd7947]

I should sprinkle some of that inn my work emails!

[@GARDENER42]

I should imagine the signals on April 3rd 1982 were of a similarly pressing nature.

[@maxdalhaus8555]

I don't know how, but some of your videos are among the funniest I have ever seen😂

[@shawnmoore9980]

I like the dedication at the end of the video. Just respect to both sides. Thank you

[@jochenheiden]

Outstanding presentation sir. I’ve always wanted to know about this battle.

[@bunyip7343]

Excellent! I know that you primarily do WW1-WW2.... but as a follow up to this, maybe do a 1982 Falklands War special?

[@JohnSmith-kg2rt]

Drach has said before that he does not cover modern stuff eg post 1950

[@gokbay3057]

I think Drach said that latest ship he would cover was the cancelled USS United States aircraft carrier.

[@bunyip7343]

@@JohnSmith-kg2rt I have also said that I would never drink another gin and tonic..... but I have learned to be flexible. He he he. Although Drach has said he would not do modern stuff.... the Falklands Conflict with a Drach approach to the story would be entertaining and I suspect very insightful. PLUS the light cruiser ARA General Belgrano sunk during the conflict was originally USS Phoenix - a Brooklyn class light cruiser that saw service throughout WW2..... so a slight bend to the rules could conceivably be possible?

[@JohnSmith-kg2rt]

@@bunyip7343 I doubt it he would however cover it on blidge pumps

[@jmulnick]

I’d just begun watching “The Falklands Surprise” by Mike Guardia about Thatcher’s decisive campaign, when I saw this vid in the queue. I fingered I’d learn about the previous Falklands debacle in order to be more informed. @Drach: you are The Goat

[@princeoftonga]

2:53 ah the classic tactic of just buying the thing you’re enemy needs before they get the chance. A similar thing happened in 1982. Argentina were short of Exocet missiles so British agents just started buying up all the Exocets that were on sale anywhere! Including all of Aérospatiales stock and from some less reputable sources!

[@thekinginyellow1744]

The cheque book is mightier than the sword!

[@mhmt1453]

I am not a sailor, but it has always struck me as so admirable that sailors of any nation will fight the enemy, and then expend equal effort to save any that end up in the water. The prospect of dying at sea being so terrible, every sailor will do his utmost to spare even foes such a fate. I was, however, several times a passenger on a fast supply ship, and learned from her civilian crew that they stood watch; ostensibly, to look for imperiled mariners helpless on the vast ocean. I was a soldier. Though my humanity was never in question, I could foresee instances in which I would not be inclined to render assistance to enemies. I am grateful such circumstances never arose. Since childhood, I’ve always had an affinity for the Navy, but it was the sheer vastness of the ocean, the terrifying power of her fury, and the bleak outlook of one small person set adrift that instead drove me to the Army. Acknowledging that fear, it is encouraging that such compassion is shown amongst sailors.

[@Avalanche041]

"When they are on the ship they are the enemy. But once they are in the water, they are a fellow mariner in distress" was a quote I once heard from a USN Veteran who served in WW2. The ocean is cruel and unforgiving. In most circumstances, sailors who had only minutes before been trying to kill each other will do what they can to render assistance because the ocean is a common foe encountered by all who sail on it.

[@wafflesnfalafel1]

love the bit about the French sail merchant wandering into the middle of things.... that was a wonderful, respectful vid. thank you

[@wavecannon3688]

Going to say that WoWS not withstanding, your an excellent narrator of these moments in History Mr. Drach. o7 to you!

[@aldenconsolver3428]

Wonderfully well told clear and comprehensive. As it was for the Royal Navy sailors my heart goes out to the lost sailors and their families from both sides.

[@gayprepperz6862]

I've always felt sorry for that French sailing vessel. Imagine blindly sailing into a full scale big gun sea battle, and you didn't even know the world was at war! Hard to imagine something like that happening in this age of instantaneous communication. A shot fired somewhere in the world has everyone's cellphone buzzing in your pocket half a world away.

[@alanmcclenaghan7548]

40:30 Admiral Sturdee looks like Peter Butterworth from the Carry On movies.

[@roycarter6235]

Thank you for an extraordinary account of a momentous naval battle. The detail is excellent. I am a keen follower of your channel.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

By reading a German book from the 1920s on the Geschwader Spee and its fate as a elementary school kid I taught myself to read the old / classic German font.

[@augustosolari7721]

Wow, that is an impressive feat, that font is very hard to read.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

@@augustosolari7721 It took some practise, but learning about the Geschwader Spee kept me going :)

[@chrishewitt1165]

Everyone loves having a captain who likes do things "interesting" Luck, good or bad, really can change so much in a war. I can never understand why a captain wouldn't surrender when they were clearly finished and scuttle the ship. So many men lost is terrible

[@newyewtoob]

Keep 'em coming Uncle Drach. Love the channel!

[@DrGull1888]

When memory serves, an officer on board of Dresden was a certain Wilhelm Canaris.

[@brandonhamilton833]

Could you imagine being a sailor in that French ship coming onto that battle? I bet they heard it long before they saw it. Must have been terrifying.

[@terrancecoard388]

WOW!! This was an exciting battle and is the first time I heard about it. Excellent job as always.

[@TheGreatBirchTree]

This is one of those engagements where you cant say anything but... wow. Brave men on both sides

[@hatchcrazy]

When I heard about the British officers sending that fake signal without telling their bosses, all I can imagine is them hearing about the Battle of the Falklands and going, "Oh crap, that worked??"

[@peterbenke1962]

I like the way you did the ships :) You should add wakes to tell the directions. I think it would help a huge deal. Maybe using a wake shaped piece of glass to make the water darker right behind them. Cool video brother ~

[@orbitalair2103]

about 13:00, dang you need a map of all the ships dispositions. that was quite the list of ships.

[@jamespocelinko104]

What would you like? Von Spee: "To burn Britain's coal stores in the Falklands." Royal Navy: "A battlecruiser." Von Spee: "NOOOO!!" Royal Navy: "Two battlecruisers."

[@tommiatkins3443]

My favourite naval battle by my favourite naval historographer.

[@JonatasAdoM]

I'm watching so many of your videos, that I'm starting to receive KZbin ads from my local Navy.

[@artic6015]

Very well done. Thank you

[@John01GM40]

what an excellent presentation. Thank you very much

[@skeletonwguitar4383]

Having a dull day This gets uploaded "This, gave me a bit of a smile" Thanks Drach

[@Pyrope78]

As a Brit living in Chile, just a brief note of kudos on your pronunciation of Valparaíso!

[@Shadooe]

Fantastic combination of fact, humour, and poignancy. Well done once again.

[@Demolitiondude]

Ooo. Photographs, art, and miniatures. I see your a man of culture.

[@NovemberOrWhatever]

A ship being too damaged to surrender sounds very scary. I think Drach mentioned that was the case with the Bismark as well

[@paullewis2413]

Excuse me being pedantic but the River Plate is on the East Coast of South America 😁. Excellent content as usual 😊

[@alanmcclenaghan7548]

Naval chases happen at a different pace to the car chases we're used to in movies... Lieutenant: "Enemy ships in sight, sir." Admiral: "All crew to breakfast stations!"

[@mayor600]

Churchill’s micro- managing redressed by Fisher’s common sense and the only time battle cruisers did what they were designed for.

[@Writingman4126]

Thanks, Drach.

[@steventoby3768]

Excellent account with a wealth of detail. I suggest you might consider changing the title..."First Battle of the Falklands".

[@KB4QAA]

Superb presentation!

[@model-man7802]

I feel so sorry for those in the water.What a waste of life.I know its war but still.It had to be terrible to see them knowing there was no way to help them.Sailors are sailors,doesn't matter who the work for.

[@leodesalis5915]

It's always been said that the sea is every sailors number 1 enemy, regardless of your nation, although the ww2 Japanese might have changed that a touch.

[@marcomontanarini1836]

@@leodesalis5915 well the US Navy also used to machine gun sailors in the water as both sides (US and Japan) gave no quarter. That was a brutal kind of a war.

[@leodesalis5915]

@@marcomontanarini1836 yeah unfortunately humans tend to retaliate and react over the rumours spread about both sides in all conflicts, it's another part how wars get fought really

[@abigasswave3000]

would you do me a bestie KZbinr favor and finish the admiral Nelson series? It's been years but I'm still waiting love the vids !

[@thehandoftheking3314]

Get Yo big Ass in line and wait till the Carrier Series is finished! ;)

[@AdmRose]

He dies at Trafalgar. The end.

[@JB17521or]

@@AdmRose he makes navalcombat a thing.

[@silverhost9782]

@@AdmRose If every account of major historical figures was that concise history would take up far less time on the curriculum

[@adenkyramud5005]

He mentioned before that the last part of the Nelson series will come, he's still working on it. Gonna be a damn good day when that drops.

Whoa! I really enjoyed this. Thank you!

[@irvingsteinberg]

Wonderful as always. Now I am very curious about the SS Great Britain.

[@joylunn3445]

The sailing ship was the Norwegian three masted, Jubilee rigged Fairport, homeward bound from Chile. She did not carry a radio. Cmdr H Spencer-Cooper, The Battle of the Falklands, 1919, Chapter 11.

[@ScienceChap]

I've been looking forward to this one.

[@ewok40k]

Probably the only battle where battlecruisers worked as advertised, because they were used as planned, as CRUISERS not part of abttleline

[@dmarkieb]

I enjoy your content. Putting ships on maps helps with understanding of the flow of battle. Maybe put little flags on the ships if you cant do a more up to date graphics of maneuvering on the battle field.

[@jonpinkney7348]

There's a great 1927 film The Battles of Coronel and Falkland Islands from BFI. HMS Barham subbing for Invincible and HMS Malaya for Inflexible. Silent movie with music.

[@chrisvaughan9406]

I have a copy of that film on dvd.

[@johnlavery3433]

I’ve been looking forward to this

[@RamSkirata]

hey there... the "von" in "von Spee" is pronounced with a "hard v". same pronunciation as in "fantasy". Just wanted to let you know.

[@jeebus6263]

Like "Fan Spree"?

[@bogdanvino]

@@jeebus6263 Like "fon Spee"

[@dashcroft1892]

Like Fonzie

[@mxaxai9266]

It seems as if von Spee's only winning move would have been not to play, and let himself be interned in Chile or Argentina. Politically, he could've claimed that fuel shortages made it impossible to sail. He, and probably most of his men, knew that they would not reach home during the war. Their death was only a matter of time, and ultimately futile considering the later course of history.

[@Boric78]

This is excellent (as normal). All I have to say.

[@markchip1]

It struck me that there is a particular vocabulary that rarely appears in any other text than about naval warfare... The term "straggling" was the one that made me think of this. It is used elsewhere but only very occasionally!

[@kimmoj2570]

Was HMS Canopuses chief engineer in Kamchatka previously??

[@therealistmccoy6237]

YES! I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE!

[@thatsme9875]

yah, I'm first !!!! I've been trying for several years !!

[@thatsme9875]

but seriously, Drach, please keep up the great work !!

[@ladikthrawn7078]

@@thatsme9875 I'm second.

[@Mr.Beauregarde]

@@ladikthrawn7078 nuh uh

[@ladikthrawn7078]

@@Mr.Beauregarde well, I had to F5 to see the first comment and then it said that I'm second. Let's call it a tie?

[@ancsi7474]

Congrats!