Damage photographs show likely 6-inch impacts around Graf Spee's tower and larger holes attributed to 8-inch shells. This interpretation challenges accounts that give Exeter sole credit for the damage, since Exeter loses most of her guns early while Ajax and Achilles continue firing and close the range. Graf Spee loses anti-aircraft weapons and her aircraft, suffers structural damage, and takes heavy casualties among the exposed 5.9-inch gun crews. Repairs begin before and continue after the ship enters Montevideo, yet the remaining problems still prevent her from being treated as an undamaged fighting ship. The photographs support the conclusion that the combined cruiser force inflicted Graf Spee's operationally important damage.
Notable Point · 29:20-33:00
Graf Spee takes disabling damage from the cruiser force
Damage photographs support a broader reading of British gunfire than accounts that credit Exeter's 8-inch shells alone.