Triumphrat

Tbirdnz

Lots of naval interest in another thread and rather than steal that one here's a new one.

One of the biggest mysteries around here was the WWII disappearance of the cruiser HMAS Sydney, later it was determined sank by a German 'Q' ship raider. The Sydney has just been found this last weekend about 8nm from her last engagement.



The story:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/...ectid=10498770


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Ride on !


Footnote: NZ's connection with this fine ship was that HMNZ Leander was the first of the Leander class light cruisers which included HMNZ Achilles of the Battle of River Plate fame.

Wombat

And all this time we have been blaming the French.

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Old Scratcher

The Sydney was sunk by the German raider The Kormorant, disguised as a merchant ship, which was in turn sunk by the Sydney. The only survivor of the engagement was one German Sailor who washed up on the WA coast, & his has been the only account of the battle known to historians, until now.
Early investigations seem to indicate that the German was telling the truth. With The Sydney's bow appearing to be missing, which fit's with the German's account, that they sunk the cruiser with a torpedo underneath the forward gun turret.
I know that the realatives of the lost sailors are very relieved that they can finally put the mystery to rest, & I'm sure that there are some in Germany feeling the same way today.
May the all rest in peace.
Lest We Forget.

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miker

It's a fascinating story indeed. Apparently, my father in law was drafted into the Hitler youth and was just out of initial training and was posted to the Kormorant, but fate changed his posting at the last minute because he was a scallywag and they sent him to Russia instead. Amazing what fate can do....

Here's another interesting read.

http://allancockerill.com/history/ko...nd-hmas-sydney

Mick

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decobike

This story made all the major US news sources late last week. Being Navy I found it fascinating. This has to be some relief for the surviving famililies of these sailors. I can't imagine feeling good about destroying the enemy on water, only relief that it wasn't me and that I can only imagine fortunately. My Navy experience was pretty peaceful I'm grateful to say. My respect to those who have served.

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fivehundo

This kind of stuff facinates me...

I've wanted to get down to San Diego and dive the wreck of the Yukon. Shipwrecks to me have always been interesting.

You think of the human tragedy associated with the loss of that ship and it really just boggles the mind. So many lives...just, gone.

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"The Father wove the skein of your life a long time ago. Go and hide in a hole if you wish, but you won't live one instant longer. Your fate is fixed. Fear profits a man nothing." Herger the Joyous

Tbirdnz

I think in those days the acts of deceit even in war time were despicable, I would say that raider fired the same instance it started to run its true flag up. Pearl Harbour comes to mind for a much larger but similar attack.

Today I feel the same way about roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Then again I'm not too happy about 'Q' cop cars (unmarked cars) either !

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Ride on !

HiDesert

Some soldiers on the Russian front may have preferred the odds and conditions on the Kormorant...

You're right, OS; may they all rest in peace, and may we never forget.

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cafecruzin

without deceit there is a extremely good chance that D-Day would have failed.all sides use deceit and deception. it is a standard military tactic / strategy and has been used since war (or business for that matter) begun

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HiDesert

There's a big difference between hiding your plans from a declared enemy and springing a surprise attack in peacetime. One is strategy, the other is an atrocity. Similarly, wearing camo is fine. Giving the appearance of a non-combatant vessel is not, because it can lead to truly noncombatant vessels being attacked.

__________________
In the third century B.C. the Greek stoic philosopher Chrysippus died of laughter after giving his donkey wine, then seeing it attempt to feed on figs.


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