Do III Reich ao Rio Da Prata: uma análise do afundamento do Admiral Graf Spee e a internação de seus ex-tripulantes na Argentina (1939-1946)

Abstract

The Battle of the River Plate, which took place on December 13, 1939, was a direct confrontation of the Second World War that unfolded in South American territory, involving the German battleship Admiral Graf Spee and three ships from the British fleet. Due to the damages suffered in the encounters, the German ship docked at the port of Montevideo, leading to a series of diplomatic meetings given Uruguay's initial neutrality in the Second World War. As a result of the negotiations, the Uruguayan government granted 72 hours for the Graf Spee to carry out necessary repairs and depart from the port. The German battleship was intentionally scuttled, and its crew was transported to Argentina, where they were interned in different locations across the country. The existing bibliography on the Battle of the River Plate predominantly focuses on military and strategic aspects, largely overlooking the political and social context related to the diplomatic negotiations and the insertion of 1,055 German sailors into Argentine society. Therefore, this research constitutes a historical investigation with the purpose of placing the events following the naval confrontations in a broader historical context. Through a literature review and analysis of historical sources, the legal elements and the political context of the River Plate region, that influenced the succession of events after the arrival of the Admiral Graf Spee in the port of Montevideo, are presented. Additionally, as the central point of the research, the main activities undertaken by former crew members on Argentine territory are explored. Among the analyzed sources, two elements stand out: numerous reports of violations of internment rules, especially the fugitive cases; and the process of socialization and integration of former crew members who remained in Argentina until the beginning of 1946, with a focus on the localities of Villa General Belgrano and Sierra de la Ventana, as well as records of sailors' marriages.