Falkland Islands, Battle of the

In World War I, British naval victory (under Admiral Sir Frederick Sturdee) over German forces under Admiral Maximilian von Spee on 8 December 1914.

Von Spee intended to bombard the Falklands in passing before proceeding around the Cape of Good Hope to arouse the disaffected Boers of South Africa. However, there was already a British force stationed off the Falklands and when von Spee realised he had run into a trap he fled the area. The British gave chase and in the ensuing battle von Spee's squadron was entirely destroyed with a loss of 2,100 crew.