Tribute to HMAS Sydney

"At roughly 16:00 hundred hours, November 19th, 1941, west of Shark Bay, Western Australia, HMAS Sydney sighted a 'merchant' ship about twenty kilometers away and challenged it. It was, in fact, the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran.

According to Kormoran survivors, HMAS Sydney closed to within 1000 meters before being surprised and overwhelmed by the Kormoran's concealed artillery and torpedoes, which the Kormoran opened fire with.

The Germans reported seeing Sydney on fire at the horizon until 10PM that night, and saw flames emerging from time to time two hours further. Some time after the HMAS Sydney disappeared from view, the Germans heard several loud explosions.

Neither HMAS Sydney nor any of its 645 officers and crew were seen again."

However, as a final note, the Kormoran received mortal damage from the HMAS Sydney before overwhelming the Sydney. The Kormoran would sink, taking with her over 70 officers.

Disclaimer:
I own no part of the photographs presented within, nor do I own the music. This video is intended for entertainment purposes only. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• HMAS
• Sydney
• Kormoran
• WWII
• World
• War
• II
• Tribute
• Sleeping
• Sun

[MikePtolomy]

A beautiful and moving tribute to the HMAS Sydney and her gallant crew. As others have said, they will never, and should never, be forgotten! For what it's worth, this old "pommy" sea dog will never forget the vital role played by the HMAS, and all the Anzacs forces in saving the world from the horrors of Hitler and the Nazis. To those of you who don't know, but who do care, Anzac Day is 25th April. Please find it in your heart to spare a minutes silent reflection for their sacrifice, thanks.

[Eastwa76]

A magnificent tribute to those gallant men.

They were truley the greatest generation

[trialisland150]

Thank you to the families of the crew of HMAS SYDNEY

[NavyboyRyan]

some people here really need to have some respect our sailors that never got the chance to retun home..

[armalite762]

The Komoran was a converted merchant ship, converted into a "Raider" auxillary cruiser flying a Dutch Flag. Before the openning salvo on the Sydney the Germans raised their battle flag and then fired with devastating accuracy and destroying Sydneys command centre.

[vnck25]

@haihattelenpahanvaan

Even if the Sydney had had Exocet missiles it wouldnt have made any difference, the entire crew was plyaing criket on board the ship and as usual the captian of the ship was the umpire, no wonder the Germans had a turkey shoot out. This might be the case even today, thus the Aussie pussie's doesnt posses a navy nowadays.

[vnck25]

@Eastwa76

Yes, surely the crew of the Komoran deserve such compliments!

[gnarkillkicksass]

Well they weren't incompetent when they sunk an Italian cruiser months before you idiot. It was just a tragic mistake, halfway between Jakarta and Perth I'm sure they wouldn't have been too concerned with a merchantmen flying a Dutch flag.

[tuktor1]

I also did something re Sydneys memory i commissioned and brought out the HMAS Sydney II special models in 1/1250 scale. Many relatives of lost crew were very happy with them and it was for no profit as only 130 produced.

[tuktor1]

Yes Sydney had these but were they set up and again did they have any shields? The machine guns were as i have seen only brought out and placed on deck. They were not fixtures with shielding in the main. They Germans had all guns set up to fire which they did.

[haihattelenpahanvaan]

@tuktor1 But what about her 100mm Mk V guns, her 13mm Vickers Mk III machineguns, her 7,7mm Lewis machineguns, and so on? She seems to have been as well equipped for close range combat as she was for long range combat.

[ToonandBBfan]

The torpedo hit just forward of A turret which was incidentally the weakest part of the hull.

Yes you are correct, it was the torpedo damage that ultimately sank HMAS Sydney