Emden was detached to operate separately as a diversion while Von Spee assessed the approaches south and west. HMAS Australia and other Allied cruisers were searching there, including Japanese hunting groups, and battlecruisers could destroy his armoured cruisers. The East Asia Squadron therefore crossed the Pacific toward South America instead of taking the more direct-looking route through Southeast Asia. This route choice shows how enemy search forces and the need to avoid damage could matter more than geographic distance.
Notable Point · 30:20-31:06
Why Von Spee crossed the Pacific
HMAS Australia, Japanese hunting groups, and other Allied cruisers made the southern route too dangerous, pushing Von Spee's main force east across the Pacific.