MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Tribute at sea at site of the Battle of the Falklands to honor British and German sailors

The Royal Navy ceremony at the Battle of the Falklands memorial in Stanley

Descendants of the three Admirals who led the Royal Navy and Imperial German Navy at the Battles of Coronel and the Falklands in 1914 have paid tribute at sea.

On a blustery South Atlantic day the Royal Navy ice patrol ship, HMS Protector, carried the descendants of Rear Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock RN, Vice Admiral Maximilian Graf Von Spee (Imperial German Navy) and Vice Admiral Sir Frederick Doveton Sturdee RN to the site where the Battle of the Falklands was waged on December 8, 1914.

Wreathes were then cast in memory of the thousands of sailors who lost their lives during the Battles of Coronel and the Falklands.

Emanuel Graf Von Spee, the great great nephew of Adm Graf Von Spee, said: “It was a really emotional moment to be at the site of the battle; back then our nations were at war but now we stand together.

“I cannot begin to imagine what the situation must have been like 100 years ago especially when you consider that these admirals knew each other personally but still had to go to war against one another.”

“This poignant commemoration marks 100 years since those battles and despite being enemies through two World wars, Germany and the UK are now strong allies working side by side”, said Captain Rhett Hatcher, Commanding Officer HMS Protector.

On November 1, 1914, the Battle of Coronel was fought off the coast of Valparaiso, Chile. Adm Graf Von Spee’s fleet defeated Adm Cradock’s Royal Navy ships with the loss of all lives onboard.

En route back to Germany, Adm Graf Von Spee planned to attack the Falklands and destroy the Islands’ base installations, but what he did not know was that a squadron of Royal Navy ships was waiting for him under the command of Admiral Doveton Sturdee. In the ensuing battle four German ships were sunk.

Commemorative events to mark the Battles of Coronel and the Falklands were arranged by the Falkland Island’s 1914 Committee.

Phyl Rendell, a Member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, said: “Falkland islanders wanted the centenary commemorations to reflect the losses on both sides so we worked hard over the past two years to ensure we had descendants of all three admirals present.”

Usually on tasking in Antarctica, HMS Protector has been visiting the Falklands for the 100th anniversary of the Battles of Coronal and the Falklands.

Her Commanding Officer Captain Rhett Hatcher, added: “Protector was delighted to welcome representatives from the Cradock, Graf Von Spee and Sturdee families onboard for this wreath laying ceremony at sea.

“This poignant commemoration marks 100 years since those battles and despite being enemies through two World wars, Germany and the UK are now strong allies working side by side.”

In Stanley, a commemorative wall was also unveiled to mark a century since the battles.