Cool Story and a Question

checkfeo · 05-24-2011, 11:25 PM

Last year I bought a 1916 DWM from a guy who's father was a Kriegmarine on the Battleship Graf Spee for it's last cruise, ending up in Montevideo.
I'm sure most of you know the story of how the German battleship took on 4 British Capitol Ships. The Captain sculled the Graf Spee in the River Plat just outside Montevideo harbor. Fantastic story to read about.
This Luger was given to the father by a German merchant marine before leaving the ship in Montevideo, rather than have it taken from him.
I have tried to look for the names (crew list) of the Graf Spee but have not had much luck. Only a handful of names can be found when searching the Internet. I'm trying to document the name of the father as being part of the crew, rather than just taking the son's word for it. I think that would make this Luger a real collector item.
Does anyone know if the records could be found on a German web site? Thats my problem, I don't speak or write German.

alanint · 05-25-2011, 07:38 AM

Try the Maritime Quest's database or it's message board failing that.

http://www.maritimequest.com/warship...sage_board.htm

I pass by the Graf Spee several times a year, (there is a monument with crosses still sticking out of the river Platte above the wreck) on the Buquebus ferry or one of the high speed cats that connect Buenos Aires and Montevideo. Although the sailors were technically "interned" by Argentina, the Argentines got tired of the effort and expense and sailors were eventually free to wander off. There are several who still live in both Argentina and Uruguay!!

checkfeo · 05-25-2011, 11:21 AM

I've tried Maritime Quest's database on the Graf Spee, but they only have a dozen or so names. Good pictures though.
I'm sure there has to be a list somewhere but it's probably in German.

The son told me his father was also in the U.S. Navy. He didn't tell me how that happened or when, but I take it must have been after the war ended and he made his way to the USA.

alanint · 05-25-2011, 11:49 AM

I would post on the Maritime Quest's site with a specific inquiry. It is very clear that both the site's administrator as well as several contributors have much information they have not published. If you have the sailor's name I am sure they will confirm his presence aboard the ship and any other information they may have on him.

Douglas Jr. · 05-26-2011, 03:43 PM

Hi,

Drop me a message with this crew member full name.
I know a militaria collector who has a lot of docs from the "pocket Battleship" Graf Spee.
My e-mail is douglas.aguiar@uol.com.br

Douglas

checkfeo · 05-26-2011, 05:20 PM

Douglas, email sent, thanks.

Douglas Jr. · 08-18-2011, 12:00 PM

It took me sometime to get info on this subject.
For some reason, I wasn't able to answer directly to your e-mail, that's why I'm bumping this topic again.

A friend of mine checked his files and didn't find the name provided in your e-mail. You can also take a look on this link:

http://www.raskantik.com/galleri/ori-foto/o7/o7.htm

However, it was told me that if he surrendered to Uruguayan authorities (instead of Argentinian) his name won't be in his files.

Douglas.

checkfeo · 08-27-2011, 01:23 PM

Douglas:

Thank you so much for that information on the crew names. As the case maybe, who knows if the man changed his name, as many did after the war, or if the story is just a story.

I wish that I could ask him, but he is long since gone to his reward. Hopefully he told his son the truth, and the son told it to me.

Thanks again so much for getting that info. Tom

05-24-2011, 11:25 PM	#1
checkfeo User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 41 Thanks: 1 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	Cool Story and a Question Last year I bought a 1916 DWM from a guy who's father was a Kriegmarine on the Battleship Graf Spee for it's last cruise, ending up in Montevideo. I'm sure most of you know the story of how the German battleship took on 4 British Capitol Ships. The Captain sculled the Graf Spee in the River Plat just outside Montevideo harbor. Fantastic story to read about. This Luger was given to the father by a German merchant marine before leaving the ship in Montevideo, rather than have it taken from him. I have tried to look for the names (crew list) of the Graf Spee but have not had much luck. Only a handful of names can be found when searching the Internet. I'm trying to document the name of the father as being part of the crew, rather than just taking the son's word for it. I think that would make this Luger a real collector item. Does anyone know if the records could be found on a German web site? Thats my problem, I don't speak or write German.

08-27-2011, 01:23 PM	#8
checkfeo User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 41 Thanks: 1 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	crew list Douglas: Thank you so much for that information on the crew names. As the case maybe, who knows if the man changed his name, as many did after the war, or if the story is just a story. I wish that I could ask him, but he is long since gone to his reward. Hopefully he told his son the truth, and the son told it to me. Thanks again so much for getting that info. Tom

05-25-2011, 07:38 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Try the Maritime Quest's database or it's message board failing that. http://www.maritimequest.com/warship...sage_board.htm I pass by the Graf Spee several times a year, (there is a monument with crosses still sticking out of the river Platte above the wreck) on the Buquebus ferry or one of the high speed cats that connect Buenos Aires and Montevideo. Although the sailors were technically "interned" by Argentina, the Argentines got tired of the effort and expense and sailors were eventually free to wander off. There are several who still live in both Argentina and Uruguay!!

05-25-2011, 11:21 AM	#3
checkfeo User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 41 Thanks: 1 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	I've tried Maritime Quest's database on the Graf Spee, but they only have a dozen or so names. Good pictures though. I'm sure there has to be a list somewhere but it's probably in German. The son told me his father was also in the U.S. Navy. He didn't tell me how that happened or when, but I take it must have been after the war ended and he made his way to the USA.

05-25-2011, 11:49 AM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	I would post on the Maritime Quest's site with a specific inquiry. It is very clear that both the site's administrator as well as several contributors have much information they have not published. If you have the sailor's name I am sure they will confirm his presence aboard the ship and any other information they may have on him.

05-26-2011, 03:43 PM	#5
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	Hi, Drop me a message with this crew member full name. I know a militaria collector who has a lot of docs from the "pocket Battleship" Graf Spee. My e-mail is douglas.aguiar@uol.com.br Douglas

05-26-2011, 05:20 PM	#6
checkfeo User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 41 Thanks: 1 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	Douglas, email sent, thanks.

08-18-2011, 12:00 PM	#7
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	It took me sometime to get info on this subject. For some reason, I wasn't able to answer directly to your e-mail, that's why I'm bumping this topic again. A friend of mine checked his files and didn't find the name provided in your e-mail. You can also take a look on this link: http://www.raskantik.com/galleri/ori-foto/o7/o7.htm However, it was told me that if he surrendered to Uruguayan authorities (instead of Argentinian) his name won't be in his files. Douglas.