200 Chapter 2
Fatalities: None
Narrative: This dispute concerns the seizure of the German Tacoma by Argentina
and Uruguay following the destruction of the Graf Spee, a German battleship. More
than 1,000 men were interned following the incident. While Germany argued that the
Germans aboard the Tacoma were shipwrecked sailors, Argentina held that they were
belligerents. The Tacoma was released on December 29, 1939. The crew was interned
for the duration of the war, so this dispute ends with a six-month count.
Coding changes: Added to the dispute: 165 Uruguay. Start Date changed from
December 22, 1939. End Date changed from December 28, 1939. Fatalities changed
from None.
MID#3835
Dispute Number: 3835
Date(s): May 28, 1940
Participants: 255 Germany/160 Argentina
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: A German U-boat torpedoed an Argentine freighter.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from May 29, 1940. End Date changed from
May 29, 1940.
MID#1693
Dispute Number: 1693
Date(s): June 22, 1942
Participants: 255 Germany/160 Argentina
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: A German U-boat torpedoed the Rio Tercero off the coast of Atlantic City,
New Jersey in late June 1942. This occurred amid previous U-boat encounters for
Argentina, as well as pronouncements from Germany that it had intended to blockade
the Eastern seaboard of the United States. An exchange of notes between foreign
ministers, where Germany expressed remorse for this particular incident and offered
compensation, closed the matter for Argentina. Rival factions in Argentina’s legisla-
ture protested, but nothing appeared to materialize thereafter.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from June 1, 1942. Settlement changed from None.
MID#3509
Dispute Number: 3509
Date(s): March 27, 1945
Participants: 160 Argentina/255 Germany, 740 Japan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Unclear)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Argentina declared war on Germany and Japan.
Coding changes: End Date changed from August 14, 1945. Outcome changed from
Unclear. Settlement changed from None.