Opening scene shows the German cruiser Admiral Graf Spee entering the Port of Montevideo, in neutral Uruguay, South America. She seeks to make repairs after an encounter with British warships in the battle of River Plate, caused severe damage to her fuel and water systems. Closeups of the Graf Spee as she moves toward a dock. Glimpse of injured sailors secured in litters on deck. A small launch carrying dead sailors for burial at sea. Subsequent scenes show the Graf Spee leaving Montevideo, after her allotted 72 hour respite. (The German high command was convinced that superior British forces awaited her exit from the River Plate estuary. So they decided to scuttle her.) Aerial views show the Graf Spee proceeding in the estuary. Next, they show smoke and fire as explosives aboard are detonated to scuttle and sink her. Final views are from water level showing the Graf Spee sinking with heavy black smoke billowing all around her.
A ship anchored at Graf Shin Montevideo harbor. Crewmen and navy officers on the ship. Huge artillery barrels on the ship. Captain Langsdorf and his crew interned by Uruguayan authorities. Ship sails in sea. A massive explosion in the ship causes immense smoke to rise. Officers and sailors sit in lifeboats. Ship burns and sinks in sea after getting scuttled.
Uruguay Military celebrates its 59th anniversary. Sign reads Escuela Militar. Uruguayan President Juan Jose de Amezaga arrives at the ceremony. Other dignitaries present at the anniversary are Director of Military Academy Colonel Toscano, Defense Minister Kampos, Army Inspector General Laguardia. Colonel Toscano delivers a speech during the event. Cadets are honored. Cadets parade at Military Academy in Montevideo, Uruguay.
United States President Franklin Roosevelt aboard the U.S. Navy Cruiser, USS Indianapolis (CA 35) on his return from Argentina. He waves to people from the ship. He hugs Uruguayan President Gabriel Terra on the ship. He visits President Terra in Montevideo, Uruguay. A parade passes on the street. A huge crowd gathers and welcomes U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt. The Columna de la Paz (Avenida 18 de Julio Plaza de Cagancha, Montevideo 11100 Uruguay) is seen in the background. Cars and motorbikes on street.
Exterior view of Pan American Union Building in Washington DC, with a 1930s Packard four door sedan-limousine parked in front. A man entering the building. Jefferson Caffery, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, seated in an office and reviewing paperwork. Narrator describes the creation of the Good Neighbor Fleet (where Moore-McCormack Lines, also called Mooremack, was contracted to run three ocean liners of the U.S. Maritime Commission between the USA and South America, called the Good Neighbor Fleet.) Close up picture of brochure advertising the new fleet, and picturing the three ships (The California, Virginia and Pennsylvania from the former Panama Pacific Line, with new names Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina.) Next scene shows 3 men meeting (this is possibly Moore-McCormack Lines founder Albert V. Moore, on right, seated at a table and in discussion, possibly with U.S. Maritime officials. Man on left is possibly Emmet McCormack.) Passengers aboard liner SS Brazil as it departs port. Crowd on docks wave at the ship leaving New York harbor. View from on board SS Brazil in New York Harbor as a nearby tug boat sprays water. Skyline and skyscrapers of New York City's Manhattan Island seen in background. Map of South America showing route of a Good Neighbor ship. Good Neighbor Fleet ships at a harbor in South America. U.S. State Department diplomats in South America beside one of the ships as fleet service is inaugurated. Exterior view of Pan American Union building and its sign in Washington DC (later called the building of the Organization of American States). President Ortiz of Argentina, President Alfredo Baldomir of Uruguay, and President Getulio Vargas of Brazil are shown in discussion with various officials.
SITFA ( System Interamericano de Telecommunicaciones de Furezas Aereas) station in Uruguay as an antenna rotates. Air Force officers work on controls and take down notes.