Changes

Following shakedown ''Admiral Graf Spee'' was, for a few years, flagship of the German fleet. During 1936-1938 she made training cruises in the Atlantic and Baltic, served off Spain during that Nation's civil war, and, in May 1937, was present off Spithead during the Coronation Naval Review held in honor of British [[King George VI]]. In April and May 1939 she participated in German naval exercises in the Atlantic.

Following shakedown ''Admiral Graf Spee'' was, for a few years, flagship of the German fleet. During 1936-1938 she made training cruises in the Atlantic and Baltic, served off Spain during that Nation's civil war, and, in May 1937, was present off Spithead during the Coronation Naval Review held in honor of British [[King George VI]]. In April and May 1939 she participated in German naval exercises in the Atlantic.

As political tensions in Europe aproached a climax in mid-August 1939, ''Admiral Graf Spee'' again left Germany for the south Atlantic, where she remained hidden as World War II began early in the following month. Beginning in late September she cruised actively against British shipping in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, capturing and sinking nine ships and causing Germany's opponents a great deal of anxiety and effort. On 6 December she rendezvoused with the supply ship ''Altmark'', which had kept her supplied with fuel during her raiding operations, then headed for [[South America]], where rich hunting among enemy merchant ships was expected.

As political tensions in Europe approached a climax in mid-August 1939, ''Admiral Graf Spee'' again left Germany for the south Atlantic, where she remained hidden as World War II began early in the following month. Beginning in late September she cruised actively against British shipping in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, capturing and sinking nine ships and causing Germany's opponents a great deal of anxiety and effort. On 6 December she rendezvoused with the supply ship ''Altmark'', which had kept her supplied with fuel during her raiding operations, then headed for [[South America]], where rich hunting among enemy merchant ships was expected.

==Battle of the River Plate==

==Battle of the River Plate==