About forty minutes into the action, Exeter is reduced to her after guns but remains willing to launch torpedoes and press the attack. Ajax and Achilles are roughly 13,000 yards from Graf Spee while Exeter is estimated to be nearer, so the German ship cannot increase the range from every opponent at once. The British cruisers use their speed and separated positions to divide German fire while repeatedly presenting torpedo threats. Graf Spee turns toward South America under smoke and begins responding to British moves rather than dictating them. Early German dominance gives way to Harwood's tactical plan. The initiative changes through cumulative pressure rather than one decisive hit or maneuver.
Chapter · 33:06-38:05
The British cruisers seize the initiative
By closing from separated bearings and threatening torpedo attacks, Harwood's cruisers turn Graf Spee from attacker into the reacting ship.