Thread: H.M.A.S Sydney 2

Around 5 pm today marked the 70th anniversary of the sinking of the Cruiser H.M.A.S Sydney 2 off the WA coast with the loss of all hands (645 including my Uncle, who was a gunner) after a surprise encounter with the German raider Kormoran. To date Australia's largest loss of life in one event during wartime. My Grandmother was the last surviving Mother of any of the crew and passed away at the ripe old age of 101 still not knowing where the ship lay or the circumstances of the sinking. She pleaded with the Government constantly for an open inquiry but sadly passed away before it was finally done. Now we know the final resting place of the ship and it's crew. I had a minutes silence to remember my Uncle and rest of the gallant crew of this fine ship.

Yes the loss of the Sydney was a shock to the nation. It seems incredulous that a relatively lightly armed German raider was able to sink a heavy cruiser with the loss of all hands, and although mortally damaged sunk herself, most of the Komoran's crew survived.

I think the consensus is that Sydney's captain took too much risk by approaching too close to an unknown vessel, opening her up to a surprise attack. The crew of the Komoran appeared to be highly skilled at such an attacked (that was what they were trained to do after all) and displayed far superior accuracy. They were quicky able to score hits on vital control and defensive parts of the Sydney, rendering her a sitting duck.

Why none of the Sydney's crew survived when there was apparently ample time to abandon ship after her encounter with the Komoran is a mystery