Henry Harwood's relatively calm assessment of the hunt may have helped him judge Graf Spee's next appearance. One possible explanation is that he allowed extra time for Langsdorff's indirect routes instead of estimating the passage as a Royal Navy captain would normally make it. A later arrival estimate would help explain why Harwood positioned his cruisers appropriately for the final phase before the Battle of the River Plate. The proposed link between Harwood's temperament and his estimate is tentative.
Notable Point · 7:13-8:05
How Harwood may have allowed for Langsdorff's delays
Harwood's relatively calm assessment of the hunt may have helped him allow extra travel time for Graf Spee and position his cruisers accordingly.