The battle becomes a chase toward Montevideo

As the close action ends, Ajax and Achilles maneuver in concert but independently, crossing from side to side behind Graf Spee while drawing attention away from the damaged Exeter. Ajax loses her after turrets but continues to launch torpedoes, and the light cruisers briefly close to ranges as short as about 8,000 yards. Graf Spee tends to fire on the visibly leading flagship, which helps the less damaged Achilles keep her freedom of movement. Harwood assigns Achilles the northern position because she is the most maneuverable surviving cruiser. Merchant encounters add uncertainty: one vessel is used in a false lifeboat signal, while another's red funnel briefly makes her resemble a German Hipper-class cruiser. Harwood later turns his two effective ships south to cover the channels around English Bank, accepting distance from Graf Spee rather than risk allowing the raider to use the shoals to escape.