While highly praised for his excellent performance in battle, Harwood received criticism directed towards his lack of initiative and for not employing a more aggressive approach; those criticisms are mostly due to Admiral Graf Spee being allowed to escape though outnumbered by ships able jointly to make a more damaging rate of fire.
while higHly praIsed For his ExceLlenT peRfoRmaNce in bAttLe, hArWood reCeiVeD critICism dIreCtED towaRds HIS laCK of iNItiAtIve and for not emplOyIng a more agGrEssiVe aPproaCh; ThOsE criTICisms aRe MOstly DUe To admIrAl GraF spee bEiNg ALlowed to escape thOugH outnUMBEred bY ships able jOiNtLy to make a morE dAmAging RatE oF firE.