Video
SS Doric Star - A River Plate 80 Video
Study SS Doric Star - A River Plate 80 Video, a Dr. Alex Clarke video from 4 Dec 2019, with 5 time notes. Topics include Admiral Graf Spee, Battle Of The River Plate, Commerce Raiding.
Time notes
- 0:29Doric Star as a costly prize for Admiral Graf SpeeChapter
Doric Star's size made her a valuable target, but sinking her consumed scarce torpedoes and shells that Admiral Graf Spee could not replace at sea.
- 2:21Doric Star's signal turns a sinking into a pursuit clueNotable Point
A radio report from Doric Star disclosed Graf Spee's position and drew British hunting forces north while the raider lingered before crossing the Atlantic.
- 4:04Langsdorff's route raises questions about raider strategyChapter
Langsdorff's preservation orders and humane treatment of merchant crews help explain his caution, while his indirect route sacrificed concealment and delayed access to the River Plate's richer shipping lanes.
- 6:51Success, possible hubris, and Graf Spee's visible trailNotable Point
Repeated success at evading the Royal Navy may have encouraged Langsdorff to accept sinkings that advertised his movements before he reached the River Plate.
- 8:38Delay gives Harwood time to concentrate at the River PlateChapter
Graf Spee's eastward detour delayed her arrival off the River Plate, consumed resources, and gave Commodore Harwood time to assemble his cruiser force.