Hunt the Kaiser's Cruisers! (2/2) - The Last Ship afloat | Documentary series about the German Navy

In the early days of the 20th century, the German Kaiser challenged the naval power of the British with a new and mighty battle fleet. Who would rule the world’s seas? It was a question that would be decided in the First World War. After the shock defeat of the British at Coronel, a battle which cost 1,700 seamen their lives, Winston Churchill demanded a merciless revenge. Off the Falkland Islands, the entire German overseas squadron with a crew of 2,200 men was sunk. Only two cruisers escaped the demise of their fleet, the Dresden and the Emden. Churchill set a bounty on them, making them the most hunted ships on the Seven Seas. In the icy fjords of Patagonia and the tropical heat of the South Seas, both crews battled for their very survival. After a dramatic hunt they were both finally sunk.
Nonetheless, most of their crewmen escaped death and returned home safe and sound. How this came about and their long adventurous journey through the war-torn seas and continents is recounted by two very dramatic documentaries in the Hunt the Kaiser’s Cruisers! series, The Caravan of Sailors and The Last Ship Afloat. Newly discovered archive materials on the decisive sea battles, naval reports and private journals permit a precise reconstruction of the events. For the first time, interviews with descendants and military historians, footage from the original scenes of action and dramatic re-enactments allow us to do justice to both of these exciting stories.

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The DRESDEN is off South America when World War I breaks out in August 1914. She is fast, but weakly armoured. She joins the German overseas squadron Graf Spees in the Pacific. The DRESDEN's first officer is Wilhelm Canaris. His talents of deception and camouflage will prove vital to the crew's survival. On 1 November 1914, there is a clash with the Royal Navy off the Chilean coast. For the first time in more than 150 years, the Royal Navy is defeated.
Winston Churchill sends out his heaviest battle cruisers to avenge the defeat. The decisive battle with Graf Spee's squadron takes place off the Falkland Islands: the DRESDEN is the only ship of the German navy to escape. The fast cruiser flees from its pursuers towards Cape Horn. When coal runs out, the DRESDEN manages to manoeuvre through the narrow channels of Patagonia to a remote hiding place.
The largest search operation in the history of the Royal Navy begins. When the DRESDEN finally gives itself away through a radio message, a chase begins across the Pacific to Robinson Crusoe Island. The British mercilessly sink the immobilised cruiser.

A film by Jürgen Stumpfhaus

[stuartmcpherson]

Well presented but didn't anyone check the audio mix?

[pacino]

Why is there not a movie about Canaris this man he has to have one of the most interesting stories ever?

[kierans]

Apart from a tendency to label all the ships as Battle Cruisers regardless of whether they were Pre Dreadnoughts, light cruisers etc it is an excellent documentary.

[christopherbrowne]

My grandpa served on HMS Renown in WW1. It’s a fascinating story and great original footage. As others observe, Canaris saved the day, only to be executed by the Nazis for daring to oppose evil.

[Ferdybroom]

one of the best docudramas I've seen, a skilful weaving together of strands of convincing archive footage from that era, plus plausible recreated sets, and the minimum of CGI fakery. The excellent and carefully measured narration calmly tells a remarkable story without ever needing to sensationalise on the facts or resorting to hyperbole. Top marks.

[mikea]

A footnote to the Falklands battle. It was a very bad day for Spee's wife Margareta, Baroness von der Osten-Sacken. She lost her husband and both of her sons that day.
Maximilian Graf von Spee went down with his flagship the Scharnhorst while his oldest son Otto was killed aboard Nürnberg and the younger son Heinrich was killed on Gneisenau.

[gordonpeden]

Really enjoyed this, especially the old footage, My father and uncle were in the royal navy during WWII. Always sympathise with sea men whether friend or foe. Re: Canaris, he makes me consider the futility of war. Here is a brave patriot killed by his own, after years of service.

[FayazAhmad-ylspFZ]

Beautiful documentary, my father was young sailor in British indian navy, he was invaded in 1946 Royal Indian revolt in HQ Bombay.

[alistairkewish]

The fact the sailor crossed an entire continent without being discovered is quite remarkable.

[theresters]

ENJOYED THIS OBSCURE HISTORY LESSON IMMENSELY. THE DETAILED FOLLOW-UP MADE IT EVEN BETTER. THANK YOU.👏👍

[marvwatkins]

Great moving photography. However, the narration often gets drowned out and is hard to decipher.

[dixiefallas]

No matter what sides they were all brave men. Respect.🇬🇧

[clifford]

What a story. What a family history. Great job from Wlhelm Canaris. Great filmer. Top Jürgen

[Patrick_Cooper]

When you show true heroism, it doesn't matter who's side you were on. You're a hero...

[lineboss]

I read a book on this incident many years ago some of it was very harrowing, this account just scratches the surface it is a truly epic story i could not put the book down.

[bobbrown]

What a truly epic story . War is War so the first parts of this are par for the course . The ending was, I think a good one . Most survived the war and became human again . Wihelm Canaris could tell an amazing story of his escape and how he returned to Germany,

[tonyharding]

Real pity about the sound. Terrible balance

[fredbeach]

I know Admiral Canaris from studying WW2 but I never knew what he did in WW1 thank you for enlightening me and may I add Canaris was a good German.

[murraycatto]

Wilhelm Canaris should be remembered as one of the great men of history. Probably did more damage to Hitler from his position as head of the Abwehr than every one else combined. Fed Hitler with all kinds of mis information. Also had to keep his deputy for a time in one Reinhart Heydrich at arms length. To have kept this up for nearly the entire war is the mark of a very good and shrewd operator.

[Dean_W-Cdn]

Your documentary is extraordinary, thank you ( I rose to Navy League 1st trumpeter )