“I can see that, midshipman, Graham.”
“Helm – Port rudder, full ahead.”
While over on the command deck of the Graf Spee, Captain Langsdorff shook his fist across the waves at the allied ships;
"Bah, those lucky Englisch Schweinehünde! They have damaged my beautiful ship! They will pay for that!"
The Achilles was still belching smoke, but Parry aligned his ship with the course Woodhouse had steered the Ajax. Both were closing in, with Exeter still trailing some distance behind.
The Achilles opened fire, scoring only one hit (remembering that 4s don't count when crippled). Not enough to cause any damage. (It's worth noting that these photos would be the first time the players would see the results.)
The Ajax added to the thunder of guns, scoring a hit! The Spee was crippled! Cheers went up amongst the crews on all ships. (Her torpedo attack however missed its mark.)
As the noise died down the silence was broken as the Spee's shells whistled through the air. Heavy heavy shells crippled the Ajax, while the 15cm secondaries managed to rip through to the aft ammunition store of the Achilles to break her in half. She sank in less than 10 minutes.
In commemoration to the sinking of the Achilles, Harrison Reginald St Normanby was commissioned by the War Artists' Advisory Committee to paint a tribute to the men that served with her. His piece 'Achilles' Return to the Styx' has received praise for its sombre tone.
The Graf Spee was bleeding, could the Exeter and Ajax exact revenge?
Next post, turn 6.
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