Von Spee's victory makes retaliation inevitable

Von Spee understood that his victory at Coronel did not solve the East Asia Squadron's strategic problem. When congratulatory flowers arrived from Chile's German community, he remarked that they would be suitable for his grave, recognizing that Britain would now react with overwhelming force. Avoiding combat and preserving uncertainty about his location had always offered the squadron its best chance of continued movement or commerce raiding. Once the British found him, however, he also had reason to destroy Cradock's ships so they could not shadow him or call in reinforcement. The result was a tactical victory that made the later battle at the Falklands and the squadron's destruction much more likely.