The British cruiser , which was patrolling in the area, received both messages from "Admiral Scheer"s victims. "Glasgow" launched reconnaissance aircraft that spotted "Admiral Scheer" on 22 February. Vice Admiral Ralph Leatham, the commander of the East Indies Station, deployed the carrier "Hermes" and cruisers , , , , and the Australian to join the hunt. Krancke turned to the south-east to evade his pursuers, reaching the South Atlantic by 3 March. The British, meanwhile, had abandoned the hunt on 25 February when it became clear that "Admiral Scheer" had withdrawn from the area.