The Royal Navy fought a hard war in the early years of World War II to keep the Atlantic convoy routes open and supplies flowing to the British Isles. The several surface/commerce raiders that had snuck out of German waters just before the declaration of war posed a serious threat. They were supplied by axis cargo ships or tankers and were mostly used to attack and sink merchant vessels. They were capable of striking anywhere and everywhere. This is the account of one such ship-the 'Admiral Graf Spee'–and how three poorly armed Royal Navy cruisers armed with only 6 and 8 inch guns bravely confronted this lethal 'pocket battleship' armed with 11 inch guns.