British and French naval forces converged on Admiral Graf Spee after the Battle of the River Plate. Force H contributed two eight-inch cruisers, Force I brought another cruiser pair and the carrier Eagle, while Force K supplied the heaviest combination in Renown and Ark Royal. The battlecruiser and carrier ran south hard enough to burn exceptional fuel and strain their machinery. That urgency suggests the Royal Navy expected to remove the raider directly if an opportunity arose, with Force K doing more than reinforcing a passive cruiser blockade outside Montevideo.
Notable Point · 13:32-18:55
The intended strike against Graf Spee
Force K raced south after the River Plate battle as a heavy striking force intended for direct action against Graf Spee outside Montevideo.