A contemporary carbon copy of the record of British naval radio transmissions during the Battle of the River Plate on Dec. 13, 1939, from the papers of Capt. Douglas H. Everett, captain of the H.M.S. AJAX. This record, 3pp. legal folio on British Admiralty-embossed letterhead, appears to be an immediate post-battle record created for Everett's own files. There are easily over one hundred entries, with cypher messages listed at the conclusion, with one sheet annotated 'comdr' on verso, the first page so marked at top. The list is headed: 'Synopses of Signals made relative to the action on 13 December 1939...' and a small sampling reads as follows: '...0414 Exeter from C.S.A. Investigate smoke bearing 324 [deg.]...0418 POCKET BATTLESHIP opened fire 0420 Exeter opened fire...0421 Achilles opened fire...0423 Ajax opened fire...0452 Ajax aircraft catapulted...0513 General from C.S.A. Proceed at utmost speed...0546 Achilles...I am nearly out of ammunition...0630...Ajax shadow enemy from sector B Achilles from Sector A...0654...Achilles...I have some trouble with some of the guns running out...0750 Exeter from C.S.A. Join me Request your maximum speed...0806 Pocket Battleship opened fir on Achilles 2 salvoes...0927...C.S.A. from Exeter IMMEDIATE All guns out of action...1045...Do you know where Admiral Scheer is...1140 Achilles from C.S.A. How many dead and wounded have you got...1147 C.S.A. from Exeter...One gun in Y turret available...All other main armament permanently out of action...1702...Ajax will proceed south of English bank in case she doubles out. Be careful you are not caught at dawn...he may come to sea again anytime. He is not to be relied on to respect territorial waters...1713 POCKET BATTLESHIP OPENED FIRE ON AJAX...1913 POCKET BATTLESHIP OPENED FIRE & ENGAGED ACHILLES...0140...Enemy is making smoke...' Much more. Some foxing and edge wear, an old, original paperclip rust mark at top, else very good.