They Never Came Home: The Tragedy of HMAS Sydney

November 19 1941: The pride of the Royal Australian Navy, the cruiser HMAS Sydney confronts the German commerce radier DKM Kormoran off the coast of Western Austrailia. Following a feroucous battle both Sydney and Kormoran had plunged into the abyss. Of Sydney's 645 man crew, there were no survivors. Subject: HMAS Sydney Artist: Nightwish Song: Sleeping Sun

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• HMAS Sydney
• World War II
• Royal Austrialian Navy
• DKM Kormoran
• Britian
• Nazi Germany
• Japan
• US
• Nightwish
• Sleeping Sun

[MegaGojira3000]

German Engineering. :-)

[thespawnof66]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. "Oh hear us when we cry to thee, for those in peril on the sea."

[EssentialPedagogy]

@admiraldma

It's thought that the new Captain of the Sydney let the Kormoran get too close which enabled the Germans to kill the bridge crew and many of the gun crews in their opening salvo.

[admiraldma]

Of all the mysteries of war at sea, this for me is one of the most interesting and baffling! What the hell happened, why did Sydney let Kormoran get close enough at all. A fast, experienced ship like Sydney should have had no trouble at all dealing with Kormoran. I know the German vessel was armed, but nowhere near as well armed as Sydney. Would love to know what happened in the last hours of Sydney's life. Man, the Germans now how to fight thier ship to the last shell!!

[cunard61]

I always thought the Kormoran was lying in wait to try to sink the big troopship Aquitania, which did indeed come through those waters the day after the Sydney, and Kormoran both sank. Aquitania was returning from Singapor, I believe, and spies there had told German intelligence about her. Aquitania actually rescued some of the survivors of the Kormoran. It's heartbreaking that there were no survivors from the Sydney to be rescued at that time as well. Such a tragic and horrific loss.

[Bonedigger1015]

All one can wish for after the great journey is to have a beautiful woman sing such a BEAUTIFUL song; lamenting their loss's and the emptyness which follows. This haunting melody captures the feelings for the lovers on the 'Other Side' just waiting until they shall meet again...

Every man aboard deserves no less...

Thank You

[Bonedigger1015]

Tears come to my eyes...  Beautifully done.

Ben

[WALTERBROADDUS]

@hunterkiller45 Surprise. The Kormoran played dumb merchantman & lured Sydney in to range. She was not at full action stations. The Germans Got first shot, Took out the bridge & fire control. While light on armor, The German had 6 5.9 inch guns 2 37 mm and 5 20mm guns And torpedoes.

From SALVO!, Epic naval gun actions by Bernard Edwards Cassel press 1995.

[hunterkiller45]

how the hell does a warship end up at the bottom only fighting a lightly armoured comerce raider ,

[clama79]

The wreck of the Sydney and the Komoran is found now!

[hcstempel]

@colindominy and the other Australian friends,

hopefully there will never be war between our countries again.

We all like Australia very much and are very much aware of the horrible weather conditions you are experiencing these days. Good luck to all of you down under!

@snakes3425, very fitting tribute to a great ship and a brave crew!