The body of Joachim was inside.
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A more extensive report of Langsdorff and his boat is here (where the photos were contained)
https://iwmvolunteerlondon.wordpress...m-london-1946/
Unfortunately, a comment in that article implies that young Langsdorff might have committed suicide due to a note found in a bottle in that boat. I doubt this very much and the note has not survived for analysis.
I think any such note would be typical of messages soldiers have pinned upon their bodies before any such probably fatal missions. In the US Civil War battle of Cold Harbor (1864) the Union soldiers pinned many a note on their uniforms before they charged the Confederate position--most were killed in the attack. I think this is nothing more than that and just because Captain Langsdorff killed himself, does not mean the son would have--it is not genetic.
Captain Langsdorff was not suicidal either IMO, it was a matter of honor in 1939 and no different than the Japanese that killed themselves in the Pacific War.
In addition, the Langsdorff's were not treated well by the German powers to be after 1939 and this included the son, Joachim, who was made fun of in school due to the scuttling of Graf Spee. It is pretty clear that Joachim entered the war late, volunteered for one of the most dangerous jobs at the time , in order to prove himself and help "clear" the family name.
I think the tragedy is that both Captain and young officer Langsdorff both died for the exact same reason--honor. It is not for us to judge at this point in history their decision but to honor their memory as naval officers whose sense of duty was derived from an age that few of us today would understand.
JohnComment
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As always, John, excellent post!
Gary BANA LM #1201868, OMSA LM #60, OVMS LM #8348Comment
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