Patey's colonial operations delayed the pursuit

At Rabaul, Patey intended to send light cruisers ahead to draw Scharnhorst and Gneisenau out toward Australia's heavier guns. The harbour contained no German warships, so the search continued elsewhere. He also supported New Zealand's occupation of German Samoa, which would deny the squadron another possible destination. Coordination remained difficult: he learned that Australian troops were heading for German New Guinea only after their expedition had sailed. By then he considered the collection of German colonies a distraction from the eastward movement he expected von Spee to make.