The picture discussed during the encounter shows Graf Spee's false turrets and dummy barrels, with a real main gun turned towards Tairoa. Radio officer Cummings began transmitting a raider warning as Admiral Graf Spee attacked. After 37 mm anti-aircraft fire disabled his first position, he found another space, assembled a makeshift radio, and resumed transmitting. German 5.9-inch gunfire finally stopped the signal. The Germans then removed Tairoa's crew, and Graf Spee used more shells and a torpedo to sink the merchant ship. Cummings's persistence gave the British hunting forces a fresh position report.
Chapter · 1:50-3:18
Cummings keeps Tairoa's warning on the air
Radio officer Cummings resumes Tairoa's raider warning with a makeshift radio after Admiral Graf Spee's 37 mm fire disables his first transmitting position.