The historical starting point is an older pre-dreadnought that could not accompany the British force, followed by a counterfactual substitution of HMS Dreadnought. Von Spee might refuse battle when faced with a dreadnought battleship, but his German armoured cruisers could not simply outrun her. Dreadnought's presence changes both the tactical balance and the German decision to engage. The scenario asks whether a single capital ship could turn defeat at Coronel into a trap for the East Asia Squadron.
Notable Point · 1:13:58-1:15:53
What HMS Dreadnought might change at Coronel
An alternate Battle of Coronel considers whether HMS Dreadnought's presence would deter von Spee or trap his squadron against an opponent it could not outrun.