Graf Spee:

The Graf Spee was a German "pocket" battleship that was designed during the period of demilitarization. It was designed to sidestep the regulations of the Versailles treaty, and push the limitations imposed by that document to the limit. The result was a fast, light ship that was heavily armored and was loaded with firepower. Once Germany went to war, it relocated to the Southern Atlantic, where it sank nine American cargo ships. In December 1939, the British attacked the Graf Spee with three cruisers. They forced the Graf Spee to retreat and seek haven in Uruguay, but were ordered out by the neutral nation. The captain ordered the ship to be destroyed rather than have it captured, as it was one of the deadliest naval weapons of any nation. His crew was then held in Argentina, and he committed suicide three days later. This early victory was important for Allied propagandists, although its impact upon Nazi media was minimal.

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