Reading the opening movements at the River Plate

A broad track chart orients the opening of the Battle of the River Plate and gives particular attention to HMS Exeter. Admiral Graf Spee is initially heading toward the British force when the opponents sight one another at about 6 a.m. Their tracks then begin to curve around each other as the action develops. The chart is useful for following the relative movement before gunfire starts, though it is a general outline rather than an exact reconstruction of every ship's course.