Computer line drawing of the Sydney by Portsmouth Bill, UK, 2011
The Kormoran
There is a small but significant difference between the Dutch concept of an auxiliary cruiser as Tabanan and the German concept of an auxiliary cruiser. The German concept is perhaps better translated as a merchant raider with the purpose to destroy the merchant trade shipping of the enemy and these ships were disguised as if they were just an ordinary merchant ship. At the moment they sighted a potential ‘prey’ they showed their true nature.
In the Second World War were several of these raiders fitted out by Germany, one of the famous was the Kormoran who find her final fate in a battle with the Australian light cruiser Sydney. Both ships were destroyed 19 November 1941) and the wrecks were not earlier found as in 2008. Before her final battle the Kormaran managed to destroy ten merchant ships. When she met the Sydney she first pretended to be the Dutch merchant ship Straat Malacca. When this was discovered the Kormoran immediately attacked successfully the Sydney who wasn’t prepared for battle and not expecting what was to come. Of her crew of 399 men 318 survived the battle. Of the crew of the Sydney of 645 men were none survivors!
She was launched as the passenger ship Steiermark at the Krupp-Germania Werft at Kiel, Germany 15 September 1938 for account of the Hamburg-America Line (HAPAG) for the East Asia Line. She was however requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine and commissioned 9 October 1940. By the Allies known as the Raider G while in Germany as HSK-8 (class designation) and Schiff 41 (administrative designation).
With a tonnage of 19,900 tons or 8,736 GRT were her dimensions 164 x 20,2 x 8,5m. The 4x9-cylinder diesel engines supplied 14,00 hp allowing a speed of 18-19 knots. Her crew numbered 400 men. The armament consisted of 6-15cm guns, 2-37mm anti tank guns, 5-20mm anti aircraft guns, 6-53,3cm torpedo tubes 2x2 surfaced and 2x1submerged, mines, two Arado 196 sea planes and one LS-3 mine laying boat.
Her Australian opponent was laid down at the yard of Swan Hunter &Wigham Richardson, Wallsend-on-Tyne, England 8 July 1933 as HMS Phaeton, launched 22 September 1934 and commissioned 25 September 1935 as the Australian HMAS Sydney as a replacement of the HMAS Brisbane. She was a modified Leander-class light cruiser armed with 4x2-15cm guns, 4x1-10cm guns, 3x4-13mm machine guns, 9-7,7mm machine guns, 8-53,3cm surfaced torpedo tubes and a Supermarine Walrus plane launched through the catapult placed amidships.
With thanks to Portsmouth Bill for his drawing of the Sydney!
