River Plate Interception Date Predicted
From recent merchant losses, Harwood calculates that the raider could reach the River Plate focal area around 13 December.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1939 in Great Britain — Page 5
Explore 264 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1939.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1939
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 264 unique records.
264Unique records
5 of 7Page
35Named events on this page
13Named people on this page
7Places on this page
December
Cruiser Concentration Ordered off River Plate
Harwood orders Ajax, Achilles and Exeter to concentrate off the River Plate before his predicted arrival of the German raider.
River Plate Squadron Rehearses Action Plan
Harwood's three cruisers conduct manoeuvres and rehearse the tactics intended for an encounter with a German pocket battleship.
Achilles Damaged by Near Miss
A near miss from Graf Spee damages Achilles and briefly disrupts the cruiser's course during the morning battle.
Achilles Maintains Pressure after Exeter Withdrawal
After Exeter is forced out of the fight, Parry keeps Achilles engaged alongside Ajax against the German raider.
Achilles Opens Fire during River Plate Battle
Parry's HMS Achilles opens fire with six-inch guns while operating with Ajax against Graf Spee.
Achilles Shadows Graf Spee toward Port
Parry's cruiser helps shadow Graf Spee toward Montevideo after Harwood breaks off the close daylight engagement.
Ajax Aft Turrets Disabled
A heavy Graf Spee hit disables Ajax's X turret and jams Y turret, sharply reducing the flagship's available firepower.
Ajax and Achilles Ordered to Close
Harwood presses the two light cruisers closer to bring their six-inch guns effectively into action against Graf Spee.
Ajax Launches Seafox Spotting Aircraft
Ajax launches its Fairey Seafox aircraft to assist observation and spotting during the engagement.
Ajax Launches Torpedoes at Graf Spee
Woodhouse's cruiser launches torpedoes during the close phase of the action, forcing Graf Spee to manoeuvre away.
Ajax Opens Six-Inch Fire on Graf Spee
Woodhouse brings HMS Ajax's six-inch guns into action as Harwood's flagship closes from a separate bearing.
Daylight Engagement Broken Off
Around 07:40 Harwood turns away, intending to shadow Graf Spee and renew the fight later under more favourable conditions.
Divided Cruiser Attack Plan Executed
Harwood separates Exeter from Ajax and Achilles so Graf Spee must divide its fire or leave one British group less engaged.
Emergency Steering Maintains Exeter Control
After communications are wrecked, Exeter uses improvised methods, including men relaying orders, to keep steering the damaged cruiser.
Exeter Bridge Devastated by Heavy Shell
An 11-inch hit and splinters devastate Exeter's bridge, killing or wounding most personnel there and injuring Bell.
Exeter Launches Starboard Torpedoes
Bell's cruiser fires a starboard torpedo salvo at Graf Spee, but the German ship's manoeuvre causes the weapons to miss.
Exeter Opens Eight-Inch Fire
Bell's HMS Exeter opens fire with eight-inch guns soon after Graf Spee begins the engagement.
Exeter Sent to Investigate Smoke
Harwood detaches Exeter to investigate smoke on the horizon before the contact is identified as Admiral Graf Spee.
Exeter Withdraws after Severe Damage
With forward turrets disabled, flooding increasing and electrical systems failing, Bell withdraws Exeter from the main action.
Graf Spee Shadowed toward Montevideo
Harwood keeps Ajax and Achilles in contact as the damaged German ship steams toward the River Plate estuary.
Light Cruisers Move to Protect Exeter
When Graf Spee turns toward the badly damaged Exeter, Harwood orders Ajax and Achilles to close and draw German fire away.
Reinforcements Requested off Montevideo
Harwood seeks additional warships while maintaining a naval watch outside the neutral port where Graf Spee has taken refuge.
Cumberland Joins River Plate Force
HMS Cumberland reaches Harwood's force off Montevideo, strengthening the cruisers waiting for Graf Spee to leave port.
Supreme War Council
Continues Anglo-French strategic discussions during the Phoney War.
Battle of River Plate
A major propaganda victory for the British during the Phony War, Churchills reputation is enhanced
Battle of River Plate
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Battle of River Plate
Commands the HMS Achilles during the Battle of the River Plate
Battle of River Plate
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Graf Spee
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Graf Spee
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Neutrality
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Neutrality
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Third Division Retreat Training Emphasised
Trains 3rd Division to conduct controlled withdrawals as well as offensive and defensive operations.
Other events (month unknown)
1922 Committee
Appointed Chairman of the 1922 Committee
1939 FA Cup Final Campaign
Guides Wolverhampton Wanderers to the FA Cup final, where Portsmouth end the club’s attempt to win the trophy.
Academy Award
Winner of the Oscar for Best Actor, "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" as Mr. Chips
Admiral
Appointed Admiral of the Fleet
Alliance Agreement with France & Britain
Russia offers a tripartite alliance with France & Britain. Visits Rome to prise Italy from the Axis, invited by Mussolini to pressurise France. Signs an agreement with Turkey. Signs an agreement with Poland
Ambassador
Appointed Ambassador of Russia
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.