Q&A · 3:26:57-3:27:45

If von Spee surrendered at the Falkland Islands

In this counterfactual, the German East Asia Squadron would most likely be interned at the Falkland Islands while its crews were removed and held far from any practical escape route.

Question

What would have happened if Maximilian von Spee had surrendered at the Battle of the Falkland Islands?

Short answer

The ships would probably be interned at the Falklands and their crews held there, although von Spee was unlikely to surrender.

Notes

Surrender would create a logistical and legal problem after the white flag. The nearest practical option would be to intern the German ships at the Falkland Islands and remove their crews. The islands' remoteness would make them an effective place to hold the sailors while the British decided how and when to move the vessels. Handling the squadron would still create a substantial logistical burden. Maximilian von Spee was very unlikely to choose surrender in the actual circumstances.