Von Spee's squadron certainly posed a legitimate and serious security threat
in the Pacific and the Indian Oceans. Its interesting to observe that
He had succesfully executed the signal ruse at valparaiso. And could have
escaped cleanly back to Germany if he had bypassed the falklands. That
in and of itself wouldve been a tremendous victory, and wouldve further
changed the balance in the north sea.
it was nearer run than that of course, had all his ships arrived in formation
he may have taken the british cruisers while they were still coaling and the
advantage wouldve been his, his misfortune to misinterperet what the
rising smoke actually meant, further, had he recognized Canopus for what
it was his men might even have sailed home victors of sorts.
just a speculation.
M
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