Proximity of concentrated German squadron of 5 good ships will threaten gravely main trade route Rio to London. Essential recover control.
First Sea Lord requires Invincible and Inflexible for this purpose.
Sturdee goes Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic and Pacific.
Oliver, Chief of Staff. Bartolomé, Naval Secretary.
Apparently we had not at this stage decided finally to send the Princess Royal. Sir John Jellicoe rose to the occasion and parted with his two battle-cruisers without a word. They were ordered to steam by the West Coast to Devonport to fit themselves for their southern voyage. Our plans for the second clutch at von Spee were now conceived as follows[[86]]:—
(1) Should he break across the Pacific; he would be dealt with by the very superior Japanese 1st Southern Squadron, based on Suva to cover Australia and New Zealand, and composed as follows:—Kurama (battleship), Tsukuba and Ikoma (battle-cruisers), Chikuma and Yahagi (light cruisers). At Suva also were the Montcalm and Encounter. Another strong Japanese squadron (four ships) was based on the Caroline Islands.
(2) To meet him, should he proceed up the West Coast of South America, an Anglo-Japanese Squadron, comprising Australia (from Fiji), Hizen, Idzumo, Newcastle, was to be formed off the North American Coast.
(3) Should he come round on to the East Coast, Defence, Carnarvon, Cornwall, Kent were ordered to concentrate off Montevideo, together with Canopus, Glasgow and Bristol, and not seek action till joined by Invincible and Inflexible, thereafter sending the Defence to South Africa.
(4) Should he approach the Cape station, he would be awaited by Defence and also Minotaur (released from the Australian convoy, after we knew of von Spee’s arrival in South American waters), together with the old battleship Albion, and Weymouth, Dartmouth, Astræa and Hyacinth, light cruisers: the Union Expedition being postponed for 14 days.
(5) Should he come through the Panama Canal, he would meet the Princess Royal, as well as the Berwick and Lancaster, of the West Indian Squadron, and the French Conde.