Brian Sanders (British, B. 1937) "Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty 1939-1940" Original Oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 60c Winston Churchill First Lord of the Admiralty 1939-1940 stamp issued June 16, 2000. When Britain entered World War II on September 3, 1939, Winston Churchill was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty, a post he had also held prior to World War I. His expertise in naval strategy resulted in one of the British fleet's first successful engagements with the German navy. Germany's pocket battleship, Admiral Graf Spee, had terrorized British ships in the South Atlantic since September 1939. The Admiralty believed that the German raider would move toward the River Plate. There HMS Exeter, HMNZS Achilles and HMS Ajax had set a trap for the Graf Spee. On December 13, 1939, the British navy engaged the Graf Spee, badly damaging it. After being refused sanctuary by neutral Uruguay, the Graf Spee was forced to retreat to Montevideo, where it was eventually scuttled. Churchill's masterful leadership as First Lord of the Admiralty greatly encouraged the nation during the early months of the war. Image Size: 9.5 x 13.75 in. Overall Size: 14.5 x 18.5 in. Unframed. (B16827) See More