78 years ago, the British won a surprise victory over Nazi Germany

On December 17th, 78 years ago, the British won a surprise victory over Nazi Germany in the first major naval battle of World War II. The British got off to a bad start in the war with the Royal Navy suffering several setbacks and losing many lives. However, on December 17th the British royal Navy recorded a spirit-lifting victory. British ships cornered an imposing German warship called the Graff Spee which was much larger than any of the ships pursuing it.