Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 0:04-2:15

Why was Force K sent to Montevideo in 1939?

Cumberland, Achilles, and Ajax probably gave the Royal Navy enough strength to contain Admiral Graf Spee off Montevideo. Sending Renown and Ark Royal suggests preparation for a fight.

Admiral Graf SpeeArgentinaArk RoyalBattle Of The River PlateCruisersForce KHMS AchillesHMS AjaxHMS CumberlandHMS RenownMontevideoNaval BlockadeNeutralityUruguay
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Question

What was Force K rushing to Montevideo to do in 1939?

Short answer

Force K's composition suggests it was preparing to fight Admiral Graf Spee. Renown could stop a breakout, while Ark Royal could attack in harbour or at sea if the ship refused to leave Montevideo or tried to escape to Argentina.

Notes

HMS Cumberland was available alongside HMS Achilles and HMS Ajax. Achilles and Ajax had been battered, but Admiral Graf Spee had also suffered damage. Together, the three cruisers probably had enough strength to maintain a heavy blockade off Montevideo. Renown could prevent Graf Spee from fighting its way out. Sending Ark Royal as well suggests that Force K expected to attack the ship if Uruguay could not make it leave Montevideo or it tried to escape toward Argentina. The carrier could strike whether Graf Spee remained in harbour or went to sea. The argument acknowledges that an attack in a neutral harbour would break the law.