HSK Kormaran Found of Western Australian Coast

[Emac44]

In todays News in Australia the HSK Kormoran has been found of the Western Australian Coast. In November 1941 Kormoran and HMAS Sydney were locked in battle with the loss of both vessels. 317 Kormorans survivors from the battle were the only eyewitnesses available to the battle as all of HMAS Sydney's crew of 645 were lost when the Sydney sunk.

A non profit organisation has been searching for HMAS Sydney and the finding of the Kormoran is one step closer in locating HMAS Sydney after 67 year mystery has deepened as to what occured to HMAS Sydney. Below is a link to Finding the Sydney

HMAS Sydney II Appeal

[magnocain]

Neat.

[Erich]

incredible, I just wonder how far away the Sydney really is. what a tragedy actually for both boats. it does seem incredible the Kormoran was able to lure the Sydney in close enough to give her the full brunt of the Hilfkreuzers main armament.............actually more of a skillful deployment by a crafty Kriegsmarine Kommandeur.

E ~

[Emac44]

Here is news information from Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) website on the finding of the Kormoran. That maybe well and true Erich but it also speaks highly of a Royal Australian Navy Crew diliegent in their duties in defending Australia. Those men gave their lives in defending Australia. And both vessels served their country's with distinction. Speculation is that Sydney maybe close within a radius of 300 nautical miles from the Kormoran Wreck Site. But rest assured Erich the Kormoran will be treated as a Historical War Grave as will be the Sydney if and when she is found.

Kormoran wreck found off WA - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

[Wildcat]

Great news. Here's hoping they find the Sydney!

[Graeme]

Thanks for the post Emac! Will certainly watch the news tonight. Finding the Sydney will be an historic and emotional find.

[Emac44]

Yes Graeme and Wild finding the Sydney will be a historic event for many in Australia. It will mean closure to, to many unanswered questions and that finally families of the Crewmen of Sydney will have answers to where and what occured to HMAS Sydney. But the emotional issue would be that after so long a time the Crew of the Sydney will have a known Grave Site and final known resting site. We will be abled to bring 645 Australian Sailors home at long last in a spiritual sense of course. We need to find HMAS Sydney as a nation
Youtube video tribute to HMAS Sydney
YouTube - Tribute to HMAS Sydney

Kormoran was found approximately 150 Kilometres west of Sharks Bay Western Australia. The Australian Federal Government contacted the Germany Embassy in Canberra to inform the German Government that Kormoran had been found. The Australian Government will treat the Kormoran as a War Graves Site and protect the Kormoran as such. But the final word will come from the German Government as to the fate of Kormoran as she is still the property of the German Government. Whether Kormoran will be salvaged or left as a War Grave is now up to the German Government and to laise with the Australian Government in the process to what will be decided. However HMAS Sydney still as yet has to be found.
A search is to be conducted within a 300 nautical radius of Kormoran to find HMAS Sydney

[evangilder]

Here's to hoping that when they find the Sydney, that it will unlock the mystery of what happened. Losing 645 in one place like that is a horrible loss.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Wow I really hope they find the Syndey as well.

to the sailors of both ships.

[Lucky13]

[Emac44]

HMAS SYDNEY HAS BEEN FOUND. SHE IS LYING AT SOME 2000 METRES APPROXIMATELY 12 NAUTICAL MILES FROM KORMORAN AND 8 NAUTICAL MILES FROM THE BATTLE SITE. 645 AUSTRALIAN SAILORS AND HMAS SYDNEY HAVE BEEN FOUND AFTER 65 YEARS.

IT IS AN HISTORIC DAY FOR AUSTRALIA AND A SAD ONE FOR THE FAMILIES AND RELATIVES OF THE MEN OF HMAS SYDNEY. BUT SHE HAS BEEN FOUND AND IT IS CONFIRMED IT IS THE SYDNEY. BOTH HMAS SYDNEY AND KORMORAN WILL BE PROTECTED UNDER HISTORIC SHIP WRECK ACT AND BOTH SHIPS ARE OFFICIALLY WAR GRAVES

Rudd confirms HMAS Sydney find - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

[Erich]

I'll await for a rather large publication on this and the two ships during their war-time service right up to that ill-fated 1941 day

what a weekend !!

Salute to the Fallen

[Emac44]

Erich for Australians. It means we can now bring about closure and we can bring our men home closer to the Nation. They are no longer missing. They have been found at long last. These 645 Aussies missing for so long are back within the hearts and minds of their fellow Australians and we now know where they are

[Erich]

I would think it would bring closure for both sides.........

more on an ever changing (daily change) link

HMAS Sydney (II) Discovered - Latest Search Reports

[Wildcat]

This is awesome!! I can't believe they finally found her. What a great day!!