Posted on 03/16/2008 4:25:17 PM PDT by Gomez
The group searching for HMAS Sydney has found the wreckage of the World War II Australian warship off the coast of Western Australia, the ABC has confirmed.
The breakthrough by the Finding Sydney Foundation comes less than 24 hours after it announced it had located the wreckage of the German raider Kormoran, which also sank after a battle with the Sydney in November 1941.
(Excerpt) Read more at abc.net.au ...
It seemas that after the rear magazines went, fire raced along the ventilator system and torched off the forward magazines as well. When they found HOOD a few years back, they saw two sections [stern and bridge], but couldn’t find the bow.
They were in the water a hell of a long time, too.
At least 16 to 18 men survived SCHARNHORST going down. They were picked up by the Brits before operatiobns were suspended due to fear of U-boats [same reason the Brits left over 800 Germans in the water after BISMARCK scuttled.
I believe SYDNEY was the not only Allied warship sunk by a German surface raider. But for the life of me, I can’t think of a second one.
Wasn’t as big a screwup as the Captain of HMS GLORIOUS, who managed to get his aircraft carrier sunk by the SCHARNHORST and GNIESENAU [although I believe the shelling was done by SCHARNHORST].
Say what? Do you have a link for that?
Thank you for the explanation. I didn’t know that. Again, thanks for going to the trouble. I almost wish the U.S. had someone like that looking out for us.
Yes, they were ... criminals were sent there.
I think he was talking about the HMS Hood and not the USS Mount Hood. The HMS Hood blew up after taking fire from the Bismark and only 3 survived.
Agreed. Here's a detailed account of Komoran's last cruise including the battle with Sydney. Kormoran was able to close to close the range to 1000 meters before opening fire. Unforgivable for the Sydney (and of course they paid for it).
There might be. There are Japanese vessels at Truk that contain human remains (bones). Divers are cautioned not to disturb them.
Any record of which ship sank first?
Wrong Scharnhorst. SMS Scharnhorst in 1914, not KMS Scharnhorst in 1943.
My comment was about the HMS Hood the British battlecruiser sunk by, coincidentally for me, the German Bismarck.
Do you know which ship rescued the survivors? The destroyer escort had detached prior to the fight. That water had to be brutal.
I stand corrected. Thanks.
Do you have more info on these bones? I know remains were found in the hull of the Hunley. But that wreck was in a very calm bay area.
> Say what? Do you have a link for that?
It’s on the always iffy Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Sydney_(1934)
“It was also reported that examination of the
remains had revealed a 9 mm bullet or a fragment
of shrapnel in his skull.”
9mm, of course, could be 9mm Parabellum, a handgun round
not commonly used in long range naval battles.
Scharnhorst wasn't a SMS.
The one that was lost with all hands off Coronel was.
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