[Strategerist]

Lots of conspiracy theories that the ship was finished off by a Japanese sub and/or survivors were machined gunned by same.

Fabricated by Australians embarassed that the Captain of the Sydney basically royally screwed up by getting too close to Kormoran.

[Dave Elias]

“Fabricated by Australians embarassed that the Captain of the Sydney basically royally screwed up by getting too close to Kormoran.”

That in itself is pure supposition

[PzLdr]

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.

[PzLdr]

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].

[GATOR NAVY]

Fabricated by Australians embarassed that the Captain of the Sydney basically royally screwed up by getting too close to Kormoran.

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).

Hilfskreuzer (Auxiliary Cruiser) Kormoran