Who Sank the Kormoran?
Battle between HMAS Sydney and German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran
| Date | 19 November 1941 |
|---|---|
| Location | Off Dirk Hartog Island, Indian Ocean 26°S 111°ECoordinates: 26°S 111°E |
| Result | German victory, but loss of both ships |
Has the HMAS Sydney been found?
The wreck of the HMAS Sydney (II) was found by the Finding Sydney Foundation on 16th March 2008 approximately 207km (128 miles) from the west coast (Steep Point) of Western Australia at a depth of approximately 2,468 metres.
How did the Kormoran sink?
As the crew left the Kormoran scuttling charges were set. They were fired at midnight when the last of the crew had departed. At 12.30 the mines exploded and the Kormoran sank. Of her crew of 393 officers and men, 78 lost their lives, either in the action or the sea afterwards.
What happened to the Kormoran?
Kormoran was abandoned and scuttled at midnight; she sank slowly until the mine hold exploded half an hour later.
Why did the HMAS Sydney sink?
The HMAS Sydney was lost in November 1941 in a battle with the German cruiser Kormoran, which also sank. WA Museum chief executive Alec Coles said high resolution images taken by Curtin University on board a subsea vessel indicated a shell hole through the bridge at the compass platform on the HMAS Sydney.
How many died on HMAS Sydney?
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the HMAS Sydney’s sinking. Just one sailor’s body was discovered of the 645 men who died aboard in 1941.
What happened to HMAS Sydney?
HMAS Sydney, named after the Australian city of Sydney, was one of three modified Leander-class light cruisers operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). On 19 November 1941, Sydney was involved in a mutually destructive engagement with the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran, and was lost with all hands (645 aboard).
How many people survived the on the HMAS Sydney?
During this search, which lasted until the evening of 29 November 318 survivors from Kormoran’s 399 personnel were found, but apart from a carley float and a lifebelt, nothing from Sydney or the 645 aboard was recovered.
Why were there no survivors from HMAS Sydney?
This was because of three main factors: firstly, HMAS Sydney was sunk with no survivors. All 645 Australian seamen were lost. 303 inch machine guns, and eight 21-inch torpedo tubes, was patrolling Australian waters due to the increased threat from German raiders that had been seen in the area.
How many aircraft carriers did Australia have?
3
Numbers of aircraft carriers by country
| Country | In service | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 0 | 3 |
| Brazil | 0 | 2 |
| Canada | 0 | 3 |
| China | 2 | 4 |
What was the battle between the HMAS Sydney and Kormoran?
The battle between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran was a single ship action that occurred on 19 November 1941, off the coast of Western Australia. Sydney, with Captain Joseph Burnett commanding, and Kormoran,…
What ever happened to HMAS Sydney?
On 17 March 2008 the Australian Government announced that the wreckage of both HMAS Sydney and the German raider Kormoran had been found, approximately 112 nautical miles off Steep Point, Western Australia. Kormoran is lying at a depth of 2,560 metres; Sydney, approximately 12 nautical miles away, is at 2,470 metres.
What was the difference between the Sydney and the Kormoran?
The Sydney was an outstandingly successful warship, the most famous of the RAN’s ships in November 1941. Aesthetically elegant, she had created headlines with her exploits in the Mediterranean, especially the brilliant action off Cape Spada. On the other hand, the Kormoran’s mission was to shun the limelight.
What happened to the Royal Australian Navy in WW2?
The most grievous loss suffered by the Royal Australian Navy occurred on 19 November 1941, when the cruiser HMAS Sydney was lost in action with the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran off the Western Australian coast. None of the Sydney ‘s complement of 645 men survived. The Kormoran was also sunk in the action.