The Graf Spee hunt illustrates a Royal Navy approach to surface raiders: a ship might get to sea, but it should not get home again. Renown and Ark Royal were racing south to close the escape route, while Ark Royal's Skua and Swordfish aircraft offered a way to strike a raider caught in or near harbour. The carrier's large air group made Force K more than a gunfire interception force. Graf Spee's scuttling ended that possibility before Force K arrived.
Notable Point · 28:48-32:04
Graf Spee and the escape-net strategy
Force K was positioned to make a German raider's return journey as dangerous as its initial breakout.