Emden's Direction Island raid brings Sydney to battle

Emden's landing party attacked the cable and wireless station, cutting two of its three submarine cables and a dummy cable but leaving one working link. German assumptions that every navy transmitted at full power made the received signal strength suggest that opposition was still many hours away. Sydney was already approaching from a convoy whose formidable escort context included Melbourne, the Japanese armoured cruiser Ibuki, and, at another stage, HMS Minotaur. When further signals suggested that Emden might have support, Melbourne also turned towards Cocos and Ibuki offered to intervene, but Sydney continued alone. Emden could neither outrun the well-maintained Australian cruiser nor recover her shore party in time, forcing a daylight engagement.