False confidence or hubris is one possible explanation for attacks that left a readable trail across the South Atlantic. Graf Spee had evaded the Royal Navy for long enough that Langsdorff may have expected that freedom of movement to continue. The prizes were valuable, so the decision was not irrational. Even so, sinkings on 2, 3, and 7 December helped reveal the raider's progress before the encounter on the 13th. The River Plate held the large merchant ships that most concerned British planners. By the time Graf Spee reached that traffic, British cruisers were waiting.
Notable Point · 6:51-8:31
Success, possible hubris, and Graf Spee's visible trail
Repeated success at evading the Royal Navy may have encouraged Langsdorff to accept sinkings that advertised his movements before he reached the River Plate.