"She will want to concentrate on us as much as she can, before Ajax and Achilles get into range."
"Helm – Starboard rudder, ahead full!"
"Gunnery – Fire as she bares!"
"Signalman – Signal Ajax and Achilles – Come on fast. Can’t take much more of this. Need assistance now!"
The Admiral Graf Spee swung to port away from the Exeter, but Captain Bell ordered his ship ahead full speed and have the guns ready to take aim on the Graf Spee. Commodore Harwood responded to the call to close in after the Exeter had taken a hit, and the Ajax and Achilles steamed in line to the south.
Ajax lined up her A and B turrets (rear turrets not being in arc), and fired off ranging shots. (Liam had elected to roll his own dice, but at the time was only able to find one easily. He rolled the dice and told me the results. The excitement has been recreated for posterity.
All shots miss!
The Graf Spee's turrets slowly rotated to port to meet the threat. First the secondaries responded, but all not enough to succeed (needing four successes).
But then the primaries opened up ('Anton' and 'Bruno'), and their combined fire was more successful.
A hit on the midship, but for now the Ajax was undaunted.
The noose was closing, but the Graf Spee had only begun to fight.
Next post, turn 3.
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