Battle of the River Plate

At 6.21 a.m. on 13 December 1939, the cruiser HMS Achilles opened fire on the German ‘pocket battleship’ Admiral Graf Spee in the South Atlantic. It became the first New Zealand unit to strike a blow at the enemy in the Second World War.

With the New Zealand ensign flying proudly from its mainmast – as battle loomed, a signalman had run aft with the ensign shouting, ‘Make way for the Digger flag!’ – Achilles was also the first New Zealand warship to take part in a naval battle.

• Read more about the Battle of the River Plate.

Image: HMS Achilles during the Battle of the River Plate