Q&A · 1:09:50-1:10:49

If Cumberland had joined the Battle of the River Plate

Cumberland's additional strength would doom Graf Spee, while leaving the British cruisers exposed to severe damage.

Admiral Graf Spee Alternate History Battle Of The River Plate County Class Cruisers HMS Cumberland HMS Exeter Leander Class Light Cruisers (1931)

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Question

What if Cumberland had joined Exeter and the other cruisers at the River Plate?

Short answer

Graf Spee would be sunk in this counterfactual, although the British could still suffer severe damage.

Notes

Cumberland would make Graf Spee's position untenable by adding a full County-class cruiser to Exeter and the two Leanders. Graf Spee's avoidance of Cumberland supports that judgment. In this counterfactual, the German ship would be sunk. The British cruisers could still suffer horrendous damage.