Report of the Commander in Chief, Navy, to the Führer on 16 December 1939, at 1300.

Present:

Generalmajor Jodl Fregattenkapitän von Puttkamer

The Commander in Chief, Navy, reports that at least two weeks are needed to make the GRAF SPEE seaworthy, and that the Government of Uruguay has granted only 72 hours. The Foreign Office is requested to continue efforts to obtain an extension of the time allowed; this appears hopeless, however, as Britain and France are exerting great pressure, and Uruguay will conform to their wishes. Uruguay is unreliable as a neutral, and is not able to defend her neutrality. Internment in Montevideo is therefore out of the question. A break-through to Argentina, which is stronger, could be considered, since this would permit us to retain greater freedom of action. The Commander of the GRAF SPEE has proposed a break-through to Buenos Aires, and he requests a decision as to whether, if the prospect is hopeless, he should choose internment in Montevideo or scuttle the ship in the fairly shallow waters of the La Plata River.

The Commander's telegram of 16 December follows:

"1. Strategic position off Montevideo: Aside from cruisers and destroyers, ARK ROYAL and RENOWN. Close blockade at night. Escape into open-sea and break-through to home waters hopeless.

"2. Propose putting out as far as neutral boundary. If it is possible to fight our way through to Buenos Aires, using remaining ammunition, this will be attempted.

"3. If a break-through would result in certain destruction of GRAF SPEE without opportunity of damaging enemy, request decision on whether the ship should be scuttled in spite of insufficient depth in the estuary of the La Plata, or whether internment is to be preferred.

"4. Decision requested by radiogram.

signed: Commander, GRAF SPEE"