The German intent behind Kormoran's signals may have differed from the meaning inferred by Sydney's bridge team. The raider's report of a suspicious ship could have suggested that a merchant vessel had sighted a submarine or faced another threat. Sydney might then have closed partly to protect or board the apparent merchantman, even while her officers remained suspicious of its identity. The idea explains a possible decision path but cannot be proved without testimony from Sydney.
Notable Point · 2:38:57-2:40:57
How Sydney may have read Kormoran's signals
Kormoran's crew knew what they intended their signals to mean, but Sydney may have interpreted the same messages as signs that a merchant ship needed protection.